[3449) (HALL lo BURNET]
New Orleans June 17. l836
Pre:;iclcnl Burnel Dear Sir
As purchasing Agent, my duty has been to purchase all articles for the Government (when in funds) and charter all vessels, furnish Transportation to all Emigrants (Volunteers) and draw on the General Agent, for the amount. This duty l have performed as well as 1 was able, and shall continue to, untill your Excellency shaU order otherwise. The great number of applicants for the Texas Service without having the means lo furnish them with provisions arms & conveyance, has placed me in a very awkward situation, and on the arrival of Grayson & Collingsworth I enquired particularly, whether any more men were wanted; they replied no, and that provisions clothing &c was very much wanted. J\lr. Grayson informed me he had called at lhe office of the Bulletin and left a communication which would stop furlher emigration of Volunteers. In the paper two days after this notice was inserted, and thinking it not conspicuous enough, I caused another notice over the signature of the agency (which I considered entirely within my province, as forwarding Agent) lo prevent if possible the numbers who were coming from a great distance and at great expense, to throw themselves on the protection of this Agency, now. If the publication of this notice is in any way exceeding my duty I shall submit your Excellencies censure and not lo Genl Austins or any one else. Gent Austin look me to task for giving this notice. After having given me the original appointment of purchasing and forwarding Agent, to say that I have exceeded that authority I must confess is a little strange. In my letter of yesterday l asked of your Excellency lo say who is Genl Agent, vacated by Col Triplett, & who is purchasing Agent. I hope this question will be settled at once, for I am sure I have no ambition, nor have I consulted my interest in accepting Lhis appointment, and l am sure 1 have made but few friends by it. My greatest wish is now, that the Government may so secure the future peace of the country, that no more agen ls will be necessary. I wish your Excellency, would write me, if you want more troops, and I will have a notice puhlishe<l if it costs me fifty dollars, for I
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