will take pay in lands at 50c the acre, and perhaps they will be willing to allow more. If I succeed in making the arrangment, I shall apply to the Commissioners for the privilege of sending out the first packet with a proper and discreet person in charge, and remaining here myself to prepare and sail in the second. If the project I have mentioned last is approved, I should be happy to receive, in addition to the instructions I hope to receive from the Commissioners, an additional power with discre- tionary authority from the Govt before I sail from this port. I remain Sir with sentiments of the highest consideration Your obedt scrvt A. J. Yates [2180) [BRYAN to GOVERNOR and COUNCIL]
Agency Office New Orleans February 26 1836
His Excellency the Governor & Hon Council of Texas Gentn
I had the honour under date of 15th (No 10) to advise you in duplicate of the departure from this City of the Independence & Brutus, & of orders given in relation to their transfer to the government. The delay in obtaining sailors from their extreme scarcity has been extremely vexatious, & has required advances to be made much beyond the expectation of the agency. Every exer- tion has been made to dispatch them, and I have been obliged to advance largely from my private funds. The disbursements of the Independence have been extremely large, much beyond what the government could afford & part of it in a great measure useless; In calling your attention to them, I would remark that the agency does not hold themselves responsible for the expenditure, as the exclusive controul of the outfits was given to Capt Hawkins by the commissioners. We had a verbal order appropriating $5000-to that vessel, but the Bills were not handed to the Agency, nor did we know their amount until the schr was ready for sea with the crew on board. As the register of the vessel was in my name, I was personally responsible for the Bills, & had I refused payment the vessel would have been attached & proved an almost total loss to the Government. I had therefore no alternative but to pay them exorbitant as they are. Your astonishment can hardly equal mine
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