[3003J [HARCOURT to MORGAN]
Col. Morgan Sir:
This morning Capt. Black came here and requested 15 men of the Mexican Prisoners with axes to cut wood for the steamboat; I advised him to procure himself the axes, because in the Fort I have only three which I need very much and can scarcely spare them. You, by pressing for one day all the axes in Lhe camp, would be able to procure him I think at least Ten, and then I would let have him so many Mexicans wilh pleasure, although I think that the 16 men, which he has on board, could do something allso, and that perhaps, for the progress fo the Fortifications, the Negroes would be very usefull, and the Commander of Galveston certainly has the power of claiming them for such occasional services for the best of the country, and under the present circumstances. However I am very willing to send Mexicans where and when they are wanted but I beg leave to remark, and You will be pleased to remark the same to the Secretary of War, that impossibly I can proceed with the Fortifications so rapidly as I wished and as it is necessary, if by the steamboats I will be so often interrupted. I will have ready at all events 10 prisoners ready for the steamboat, whenever she sends for them, which make 26 with those on bord, and particularly to morrow morning early, being Monday to day. When the prisoners go with the steamboat to Point Bolivar, how have they to come back? I myself must go with the boats of the Fort through the Channel of Chocolate bay, to find it, and to sound.
Yours respectfully Edward Harcourt Col.
9th of May 1836
195
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