309
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
of 1-2 and $3 notes. It will be necessary to have from 10, to 15,000$, of change notes struck,-they will be kept in constant circulation, and not returned to the Treasury! You will have the work executed as speedily as possible, and the execution upon good paper. You will have matters so arranged that, the money will be sent to Gail Borden, esq., so soon as practicable. All the plates, which have been, or may be made, for the use of Texas, by order of the government will be sent, with the money, and consigned also to Mr. Borden. I hope you will so soon as you can make the arrangement advise the Executive of the fact, and all particulars.- You may be enabled, by advising with Gentlemen of the city of New Orleans, to make a contract, for the work, upon better terms for the Government, than if you went their [sic] a stranger to the prices of work. - My friend Colonel William Christy 2 will be an excellent advisor! He is always prompt to render Texas every aid in his power! You will draw upon Mr. Borden at sixty or ninety days, if you may deem fit to pay for the work. Do not appear too anxious to make a contract, though I am very anxious to have the work done. You can if assured that the bargain is a good one, make it as soon as possible, but know, My dear Daingerfield, that you are rather, on some occasions, a little careless-and this is the outset of your Diplomatic career, and I wish it to be prosperous and brilliant. About my picture, you can receive proposals, and let me know what they are, so that I can write to the Engraver, if I should accept them! I am satisfied, that the issue of the change notes, will run all the shin plasters out of use in the region of Galveston, and Houston. Strange as it would appear, the corporation notes of Austin, are at par in Washington,- This is done by one Grog shop Keeper. If he can do this only reflects, on the power, which, a co_mbination of merchants can have, in Galveston and Houston, upon the character, of our national currency! This is too bad, and the want of change notes goes far to sustain their power, because, convenience is bro't to their aid. I will deprive them of that, and then, "Play Snacks" for the "Big Notes." I will if it is in human po,ver, have our money at par, and you may so assure our friends in these states. Woodhouse, and myself, today made a calculation, and there is now in actual circulation, not more than $30,000. It will be soon less-Since you left, Capt. A. Neill has arrived, and says there will be no invasion this spring! Enquire, and let me know, if there are
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