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I also found the Steam Boat "Constellation" for sale and can be purchased for $14,000. she is much larger than either of the others, has large and powerful engine, and a great deal of furniture. Her boilers were new last July, and good judges tell me that her engine alone is worth more than the price of the boat. The hulk is 1l years old, but the builder tells me she was built of live oak and cedar al his year in 1825, and he believes the timber lo be sound. She draws 5½ feet of water, and it would require $10,000 or $12,000 to put her in good order for sea service. In getting advice on the subject from persons who are f·uUy competent, I have been advised to purchase her, take out the furniture and engine, and sell the old hulk, which would probably bring $2,000, and build a new hulk expressly for sea navigation, and the purposes desired, and she can then carry 5 eighteen pounders if necessary, It will take about 6 weeks to repair her, using the old hulk, and to build a new one would cost $18,000 or $20,000, giving a large and complete Steam Ship for 35,000, al the utmost, capable of carrying 600 passengers, if necessary. And this can be completed in 60 days. The ship builders in New York have had much trouble with their workmen recently and it would be better therefore lo build, or repair at Salem in Conn. or some Eastern port. I would be happy to receive the instruction of the Commissioners in relation to the course I am to pursue, and give me some discretionary powers on the subject- I have employed an experienced Captain to aid me in my examinations, and he has prepared a model for a new hulk, which can be used if thought proper to build. The Brig "Chanticleer" is a very superior coppered and copper fastened vessel, for sale in the City of New York, built for the African Slave trade, pierced for 14 guns, and can be got ready in 2 weeks, for sea. An experienced and excellent man can be engaged to take command of her, and she can be purchased, provisioned and got ready for sea for $20,000. If the Commissioners should come to conclusion in favor of the negociacion for the Milam Furtrading and Land Company, I would propose that it be conditional with them, forthwith to advance the funds necessary to purchase and fit out the "Chanticleer," and pay the expenses of filling out the 308 men raised by Col. Macomb, and that I be authorized to send out the same with all possible despatch-Thal they also be required to
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