581
PAPERS OF l\IIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
doubted honesty and integrity, and one whom you would be pleased to have in office, I think, could he accept it. But although a resident of more than a year, I doubt whether he considers himself a citt'.zen of T·exa1s. I can think of no other that is not before you. Indeed I feel somewhat scrupulous about recommending anyone.- The stearn ship, you, by this time must have learnt enough about to have decided on what to do with her. She cannot pay expenses going to N. 0. under present circumstances. 'Ihe competition is too great. Besides she has no room foi:, freight, as other steamers have. Then, my dear sir lay her 1ip. I was .under an impression until lately, that the Zavala might be made useful in the trans- portation of stores for the Navy froni N. 0. to Galveston; but L will be cheaper to pay freight for them in other vessels. Tne ZaYala 's expenses, when in requisition, are enormous. Three or four men can take good care of her, and keep her in readiness in case of emergency; and there will be no difficulty in manning her in ten or twelve hours at Galveston - perhaps in six [ I would recommend that an Engineer, say a second engineer, and two men, together with an officer Steward & Cook be kept on board all the time, and no more. The Engine can be kept in good order, and all her takle and apparel, as well as the Boat. She is coppered and worms can make no impression on her·. Therefore she will be safe and in good order for sale, or for service.- Did it ever occur to you, or did the Secretary of the Treasury ever suggest to you the propriety of purchasing a fast sailing small vessel for the Revenue service? l\Iy trip to the Sabine, from· which place I have just returned, has satisfied me of the necessity, as well as propriety, of having one .as soon as she can be had [ She will require to be a fast sa,iler, and mount a pivot gun. The pilot boat St. Anna is the very vessel, and can be purchased at $2500 N. 0. funds, I understand. She was bought out by Capt .Johnson - Balti·nwre - clipper built, and sails like the wind. This small schooner, for government purposes, will be worth ten of the Zav.ala. She can be made really 11.seful, besides protecting the revenue and detecting smugglers. I should suppose that such a cutter is indispensable to the Republic. Her tonnage is something like 30 or 40.. . ·with great respect, yr friend & servt, J l\Iorgan. [rubric] P. S. Have you determined yet about the Naval Store keeper? His Excelly Genl. 1\I. B. Lamar. r Addressed] His Excellency :l\I. B. Lamar Politeness I Houston ·Capt. Alpin f [Endorsed] J 1\Iorgan Galveston 21st. l\Iay 1839 Nav.al affairs &c
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