223
PAPERS OF MIRAilEAU BU0NAPARTE LAMAR
accountable for the defalcations of my two cashiers in succession. At least tha[t] payment may be defered untill legal [ad]visement can be had upon the questio [n of] my accountability. I will forward these accounts 72 to the Secretary of the Treasury by Mr :McKinney or Col. Love when a final settlement is to be made. Reuben is desirous to go into the army if he can obtain a Lieu- tenancy. I have consented that he might make application to your Excellency for a commission which he has done. Since he desires it I should be pleased if you can gratify him.
Respectfully
Your obt Servt W. Roberts
[His J Excellency M. B. Lamar [ Addressed] His Ex[cel]lency
[Endorsed]
W. Roberts
M:[.J B. Lamar Austin
Galveston, no date
No. 1604
[1839?, J. H. STARR? AUSTIN? TEXAS]. SlJGGESTIONS CONCERNING THE REVENUE OF THE REPUBLIC 13 Suggestions concerning the Revenue of the Republic with a view to ensure its better collection. The revenue is derived from the following sources. 1st. Direct Taxes (including Licenses) 2nd. Impost Duties. 3d. Land Dues (or Government fees) 4th. Fines, Forfeitures & Penalties (adjudged by Courts of Law) 5th. Forfeitures & Escheats (of Real Estate) 6th. Property of Deceased persons (not claimed by heirs &c) 7th. Sales of the Cities laid off by Government. The four last classes mav be called UNCERTAIN and cannot be relied on as an available source·of revenue. The Escheats and property of deceased persons being UNCERTAIN in their nature, and the Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures being more than absorbed by the expense of maintaining the Judiciary system, by Salaries of Judges, Shffs, Clerks &c." The sales of City lots are also irregular & their proceeds u.ncertain. It may be questioned also whether the proceeds of the sales will not be equalled by the incidental expenses, perhaps the proceeds from sale of Lots in Austin may exceed in a considerable amount the expenses incidental to the removal of the Seat of Govern- ment. The Land dues are not a permanent or perpetual source of revenue as after the Government fees are paid, the source is exhausted . and though they are now considerable in amount, yet from the small quantities received at a time, they cannot be relied on as one of the main sources of revenue. "'The letter transmitting these accounts, which he states were made up to Dec. 22, 1830, is that referred to in note" above. "Copy.
Powered by FlippingBook