Mar 6 1836 to Apr 20 1836 - PTR, Vol. 5

you that I have a national air half made, which cannot be completed, until there is some preeminent hero, whose chivalrous deeds shall suffice to set off the song, with a chivalric illumination. An American thanked Lord Byron in the name of our country for the comploment which he had paid Washington. "The thanks are due on the other side," said Byron "I wanted such a hero as Washington and no other country could furnish him" "I am therefore said be indebted to America, and not America to me." Without presuming lo look for the case as parallel so far as I am myself concerned, you will yet allow me to say, I want a hero for my song. Can you furnish him?

Yrs sincerely, Robert Triplett

[2534) [YATES to AUSTIN ET AL)

(Letter F.) Washington City April 1st 1836. Messrs. S F Austin B T Archer and W. H. Wharton Commissioners of Texas Gentleman In compliance with your two several letters of Instruction lo me dated at New Orleans January 21st and 22d ulto. I proceeded to New York, and report the following as the result of my operations. I found in the City of New York a Steam Boat called the Sandusky which had been fitted for sea, and was for sale at $20,000. I employed a person to take her out in the Bay that I might have an opportunity of fair examination of her engine etc, and on trial discovered serious and insurmountable objections to her engine, which was double geared, and not calculated to work with safety in rough weather at sea. I then iuquircd for others, and found the Steam Boat "Frank," about one year old of 170 Tons, draws 4½ feet waler, price $25,000, aud will require an expenditure of about $3,000. to prepare her for sea service. Her boiler is old, she has but little furniture, and would not bear more than one nine pounder on her deck. I found the "American Eagle," about the same size, a little deeper hold; with a new engine, two years old, little furniture, a fast boat, rather strongt'r than the "Frank," but would not bear a heavier armament, price $30,000 will require about $2,500. to put in order for sea service.

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