which ~lcxico can send. If the War conlinues such a ship will Le indispcnsible other wise your whole force might be locked up or destroyed-and lo dcslr_oy your communicalion wilh the U.S. by sea would be ruin al once. 1 lake the liberty of venturing a few remarks on the frame _of your present army, Navy, & civil System generally- It is fashioned after the present one of the U.S. In many cases this is too expensive for Texas-and if possible ought to be changed. The arrangements for an extensive establishment are not required for a small one. This view is Lrough t lo mind by the following occurence. A few days since, I was applied to by the Navy agen l, for funds to meet Lhe Navy wants. I explained the condition of affairs which would make it necessary to obtain the supplies upon the faith of funds to come to hand after a time, and that as the purchasing Agent here, was in the habit of negotiating upon time for supplies, he had better do it. The reply was, that there was no use for his office, if others were to do the business. That his perquisites were his commissions, and he would not hold office without receiving them. ] answered thal then as I had no right to deprive him of his commissions, he must have them if entitled to them even though the purchaseing agent did the business, but that the purchaseing agent must do it, and no one else would receive at any time, the means from me to lay in supplies, as an evil would arise, from having more than one agent- The funds of the government are low. Every office not indispensably wanting should be clone without. In many cases, one officer can do the duties assigned to several. In such cases there should he a dipping down-Let it be remarked too that a large skeleton for a navy or an army is very expensive. I suggest therefore the propriety of keeping in service such officers only as are needed to command the men obtained, and as may be necessary for recruiting. All Llie balance might be put upon the supernumerary list and on half pay. I presume I shall make myself unpopular by such suggestions. but il is of lillle consequence. The existence of Texas probably depends on husbanding her means, and lo this end I deem the suggestion proper. I have no wish lo injure any officer and my advice includes myself as well as others. My own office cannot he kept up without a considerable expense, and perhaps I may he able in a short Lime lo shew that it can be dispensed wilh.
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