of Mark & Reprisals on the part of Texas, Mr A C Allen (late owner of the Brutus) was induced to offer that vessel to the Commissioners at her Cash cost without interest on a credit which will equal Ten months, his patriotism displayed in this as well as other occasions, here, will commend him to the favourable notice of Texas. The Brutus is the largest, & will undoubtedly prove the cheapest and best vessel in the Navy. The Commissioners have left in the Bank of Orleans Ten Thousand Dollars to the credit of the Government The present scarcity of money here, & the nature of my acccplanccs (given only as Agent for the Government) renders it almost impossible for the holders to obtain discounts, unless I give my individual responsibility, that I shall as far as possible avoid doing, reserving Lhat exigency until necessity shall demand iL. Should Lhc present demand for money continue it may become extremely dificult for the agency Lo execute fully Government orders. Nothing but the strictest promptitude in all my arrangements, can secure the credit of the Government here. Should the Loan of 11th January not be ratified by the Convention, I have the promise of the Commissioners to appropriate the first available Funds to meet the obligations of this office. I would strongly impress upon your Excellency the absolute necessity of sustaining the Agency as being the only point from which in any sudden emergency the munitions and material of war can be obtained in season to insure success. By this I forward an abstract of the business of this office to date by which you will observe the small amount of cash at the Government disposal, & my large responsibilities. I would therefore respectfully sugest to you that if future orders should be given such part of the public deposite here as can be, should be transfered to this Agency, as in the present state of affairs the least unfavorable news would directly affect the credit of the Government A Check upon the Bank of Orleans payable to my order, signed by the Secretary of State as approved by the Council would be a sufficient transfurc. Your Excellency may be fully assured that having undertaken this responsible office I shall not shirk from any duties I may be called upon to perform, trusting the Government will place full confidence in my integrity of purpose, and sustain me in the agency I have the honour Lo conduct. Capt Hawkins under appointment of the Commissioners will go out in command of the Independence I shall give Capt Wm A Hurd the
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