consultation from the Jurisdiction of Gonzales, and not having accompanied his report with any vouchers for this sum $104.55½, I have written to Mr. Ponton to forward them. No other collector of public dues has made returns, which is to be attributed to the unsettled state of our country and its inhabitants since the passage of the ordinance, there being a constant alarm and an order to arms; and which has also been the cause of my not making a return to you on the first day of April last; as well as the reason that so small an amount has been received. Many persons, in order to avail themselves of the advantages of the ordinance, authorizing payments on land in Treasury orders, procured them; but for the reasons above mentioned, have not presented them for payment. Several, however, have sent, or deposited treasury orders with me which have not been received and endorsed, because the persons have not been present to sign the triplicate receipt or endorsement made requisite by the said ordinance. I have the Honor to be Your obt Humble Servant
G Borden Jr Collector Dep. of Brazos
[3830)
[GAONA to the PUBLIC]
[Antonio Gaona, Monterrey, lo the Public, July 31, 1836, defending his conduct during the retreat of the Mexican Army after San Jacinto.]
[3831] [HUSTON to------]
New Orleans, July 31, 1836
Dear Colonel:
I am here in this city like a bird shut up in a cage without the power to act or to leave, but if they do not give me something to do soon I shall try hard to find a hole in my cage and make my escape. What can have become of my commissioners? Have they both come by water and been captured by the enemy or have they been a dallying along for a trip of pleasure? It is a matter that has given me a great deal of pain. I go to the post office every day in hopes to get news from them. I now see the responsibility of my office. Perhaps my countrymen are suffering at the time for the articles I am sent here to purchase and a blaming their Q. M. for his
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