of by the Bearers. These two Gentlemen to whom this will introduce you are of respectable families and are recommended to me by Various Gentlemen in whom I have the highest confidence as worthy of attention and promotion. They will probably prefer a situation in the Navy I hope you will have it in your power to advance them. Mr. Hamilton is with me, and this day we have a consultation with one of the largest business men of the City upon the subject of a loan, should any arrangement be concluded you shall be for[th]with advised. Messrs. Collinsworth and Grayson had not arrived at Washington City when I left, which was thursday last. The President will leave there for the Hermitage to morrow, and will be absent for some months. I send you the New Orleans Bee of the 20th Ultimo, to show its Tone etc. I have learned since my arrival here, that the Mexicans had purchased the Bee, and that it is now the Vehicle of their falsehoods and Villanies. I will leave this open until to morrow. Same date. Mr. Hamilton and myself have just returned from seeing Mr. Thomas Biddle and Mr. Hodge Capitalists of this place and from the bearing of their conversation they wish Land, not the "hypothecation" only, but the Land in fee, at a price to be negociated etc. They were explicitly told that no power had been given by the Convention to alienate Lands, but simply to pledge on the faith of the Government of Texas for the payment of the principle and Such interest as might be agreed on. After a Long talk it was determined that we should go on and open a negociation in N. York, we therefore shall have to try the capitalists there, of the results you shall be advised; more in the morning July 10th Nothing has transpired since yesterday. My friend who copied for me left this morning and I now have all my writing to do which occupies me verry much. My correspondence is extensive and gives me much trouble I cannot however think of adding any thing to the expenditures of the Govt. by employing a clerk or secretary. My own means are verry much reduced and economy is necessary till I can reinstate by my cotton crop. Have just learned that Messrs Collensworth and Grayson arrived day before yesterday at Washington City But for arrangements made to be in New York tomorrow I would return and see them, will make all haste to see them. I have spoken to a Gentleman well qualified, to go to Texas and set up a press for the Govt. He is to give me an answer on my return to Washington— price of press, all materials to carry on for 12 months to be furnished by him as well as to take the editorial department and supervision of the establishment. His terms shall be forwarded to you and your answer recd. before anything definitive is done In haste Yr Obt Servt and friend SAM P CARSON The latter parte in my own hand writing not copied a SIR COLLINSWORTH AND GRAYSON TO BURNET." WASHINGTON [CITY,] 15th July 1836 We arrived here on the 8th Ins' after have been detained some days in consequence of low water and grounding in the Ohio River. We omitted no ordinary exertions to reach this place before the adjournment of Congress but by unavoidable delays were disappointed. On arriving here we were informed that the President of the U. States was on the point of setting out for the Hermitage, and that time would not admit of a formal interview. Under these circumstances (Congress having adjourned and most of the members left) one of us having had a long personal acquaintance with the President, deemed it not improper on the evening of our arrival to make a personal call; during which we were fairly led to infer from a communication with him, that he had sent a secret agent on the part of the government of the U. States to Texas with letters to the President of the Republick of the latter country; to prosecute various inquiries as to our situation, internal, Civil and Political, and that nothing conclusive would be done until Said commissioner was heard from. We have had two interviews with Mr Forsyth since the departure of the President and find him but little disposed to be communicative in anything. But he has conversed with us in regard to the objects of our mission and has also stated that he knew the annexation of Texas to the U. States was a favorite measure of Genl' Jackson whenever it could be done with propriety. He informs us that he has forwarded to the President at the Hermitage the terms so far as disclosed by us (and founded upon our instructions), upon which an incorporation of Texas into the U. States would be acceptable to the former, and that he can do nothing upon the subject, until the opinions and action of the President is had thereon. a Written in the margin. L. S. The duplicate, also on file, has "7th." d Having. The duplicate has " conversation." Here the duplicate is followed. The original has a period after "him and makes "That begin a new sentence. Under these circumstances it will be useless for us to remain here during the Summer. One of us Mr Grayson will therefore return in a short time to Louisville Kty. and the other to Nashville Tenn' where they will both hold themselves ready to receive any instructions or obey any commands of their government. Should it be desired that we should longer represent our government here, it will be necessary to make out new commissions and forward them to the last named places, as those we have, have been deemed inadmissible in consequence of having no seal. It will be seen by reference to our constitution that in absence of a seal of state the President may use his own private seal. There is a further Omission on the part of the address to the President and secretary of State in omitting to state even the country they are from. I know the difficulty of recollecting all these things without forms, and merely mention them to prevent the possibility of their being overlooked. Respectfully your obedient servants To His Excellency DAVID G. BURNET JAS COLLINSWORTH President of the Republick of Texas AUSTIN, ARCHER, AND WHARTON TO BURNET." To his Excellency DAVID G. BURNET President of the Republic of Texas. Being appointed by the Convention of November last Commissioners for raising funds and other purposes in the United States in prosecution of our duties we arrived in New Orleans on the 1st of January 1836. On reaching that city we found that the government of Texas was without funds or credit, and that the quarter Master of the army and other agents were wholly unable to procure the requisite supplies of arms ammunition provisions etc. Under these circumstances we promptly exerted ourselves to make a flat loan at a fixed rate of Interest. This, however was wholly impracticable. Capitalists would not lend at any interest without obtaining lands in payment. Impelled by the urgency of our situation we effected a loan with Robe[r]t Triplett and others which has been submitted to and modified by your Excellency and Cabinet. We are free to admit that the terms of this loan were not such as we would have dictated-but we are bold in asserting that a loan Draft in Wharton's hand, signatures original. could not at that time have been effected on better terms and we saw that the immediate procurement of funds was indispensable. This being accomplished we started for Washington City through the Western States, making it our business to hold [meetings] at prominent points, for the purpose of explaining the justice of our cause, of obtaining Volunteers and of procuring memorials and petitions to the Congress of the United States for the recognition of the Independence of Texas. In addition to this we furnished the Members of congress with our printed addresses and essays in which we endeavored to develope and defend the origin principles and objects of the contest in which Texas and Mexico are engaged. On reaching the Eastern Cities new obstacles presented themselves. The unhappy and violent differences between the late Governor (Smith) and his council were known and magnified. It was also believed that the convention of March would not declare for Independence and added to all this, we as commissioners had no power to sell the public lands. In a short time the fall of the Alamo, the Massacre of Col Fanins command, the retreat of our army, the supposed rising of the Northern Indians, the nonratification of the first loan and the neglect of the present Government to correspond with us and ratify our powers and appointment, presented insuperable difficulties. We were consequently only enabled to obtain a loan in New York on very disadvantageous terms, which has been submitted. Our main object in effecting this loan was to obtain the 10 pr cent. We did not bind ourselves to recommend its ratification and did not expect that it would be ratified unless the prospects of Texas were gloomy even to desperation. Subjoined is an account of our receipts and disbursements I have seen Mr Clay's report relative to Texas, but am not advised whether any action has been taken thereon since it was received. a Records of the Department of State (Texas), Book 34, p. 42, The report admits the physical ability of Texas, to sustain her Independence, but they seem to want evidence of our power (civilly) to perform the duties and obligations of a nation. This evidence can only be furnished by time or they must take us upon trust. At the same time they will doubtless recollect, that we sprang from the same origin, that we have imbibed the some principles and have been educated in the same schools of republican and liberal institutions, of those very distinguished statesmen, who can boast of being members of the best Government in the world. We have called a meeting of our Congress. The elections are to take place on the first Monday in September, and Congress will meet on the first Monday in October thereafter. Being satisfied that our plan of being attached to the United States, would be much advanced by giving to that Government, the strongest possible evidence of our earnest desire, we have ordered the managers of the election, to take the vote, of every citizen, on that subject. As to the result, there cannot be, at this moment, the least possible doubt. The question has advanced in popularity since you left here, and nothing is hazarded when I say, that nineteen out of twenty, most earnestly desire it; so much so indeed, that few would be disposed to enquire by what right, the United States obtained Texas? We believe that will be our ultimate fortune, and we fondly hope the time is not distant. It is said that Genl. Gaines has or will establish his head quarters at Nacogdoches. Should this be true, and the claim of the U. S. to the Neches, admitted by Mexico, it would have a most unfortunate influence on the balance of Texas; and I, for one, am prepared to say; "if you take part, take all." In Mr Grayson's last and only letter, which I have received, he desires to know, if possible, what may be the probable Texas debt? I have conversed with a number of Gentlemen, on this subject, who are well informed, and the current of opinion, seems to be, that it does not now exceed eight hundred thousand dollars. You have doubtless heard that the enemy are again advancing on The last and best information on the subject is that the forces of Felisola, which fled from Texas, are still at Matamoras, under the command of Urrea, that they may recruit there, and march on us, whenever they may conceive themselves sufficiently strong. I am of opinion they will not move till the fall. Our army now amounts to near three thousand and is augmenting rapidly. Probably will be four thousand in a short time. It is now at Victoria, and possibly will go to Matamoras, if a place can be had on no other terms, for the purpose of meeting the enemy. a Filisola. 60265-VOL 2-09-8 |