thing on board about fifteen feet waler, they will be able to blockade if half manned Galveston & sink all the schooners of the Texians. They cost about $40,000 ea & from appearance I dont think can be outsailed by anything of their class ever built. They are 380 Tons & real men of war vessels. They carry 14-18" medium Guns say 5 inches bore. This we have from one of our Friends in Baltimore. What an acquisition to Texas would the capture of these Brigs be. We do regret much the course that Captain Hurd has pursued and cannot conceive his motive for proceeding to New York, he arrived there about three weeks ago, his letters state the crew in a State of mutiny, Capt Hurd having been compelled to shoot hvo of them. His repairs doubtlessly will cost about $8000. If men and officers had been paid off say $3500, It was a great mistake in their going to New York, now during the past month a number of Mexican vessels have left here loaded with very valuable cargoes, as also continual departures for Matemoras with provisions & ammunition. We verily hope that Com. Hawkins may intercept this 4 July & there will be no difficulty in taking the other the Independence- We have not heard whether Captain Brown proceeded to N. York or not, we are almost led to believe so from the information we had. If so they should be both dismissed from the service- Yesterday a Draft was furnished to us from Capt. Hurd for upwards of $700 supplies he had obtained them on his way to New York- We shall dispatch the Congress in a few days for Galveston. She has on board 3-36s & 6-24s & we shall put on board of her a quantity of shot & powder, as also some Lumber & provisions for that place. Your several favors by Capt Durocher Maj Ward & Leut Irion have been received- We shall do all we can for them, but it is but Trifling as it is impossible to raise money here on the faith of the Government. Our only hope is in the East & West & we hope soon to hear from these- Our money market has been unusually pushed for some months past, which has not been the case for many years, as it always has been plenty in the summer. It is however the same case both in Philada & New York & good paper is selling out of doors@ 1½% p annum. It is impossible to make any negotiations here at this time. Our Banks are all cramped & money was never known to be scarcer here before at this season of the year. The limited amt of specie, compared to previous seasons makes the Banks cautious in their discounts. Mr. S. M. Williams of
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