A.C. Hinton to Louis P. Cooke, November 29, 1839 - Page 3
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others, to ship for the service. I would respectfully state to the
Department that, at this season of the year, when Seamen are Shipped
it will be necessary to give them comfortable clothing to preserve
their health, and as regards economy, I have no hesitation in declaring
that, on the Old Levee, clothing of the very best kind may be purchased,
as cheap as they can be in New York, and I would respectfully suggest
that if pursers of vessels were qualified with means, to purchase Slops [clothing] only
as they are required, for so many men and no more, at a time, it
would save the Govt. the expense of laying up general supplies, sub-
ject to dampness & decay by lying in the public store, & of course many
articles subject in a very short time, in so humid an atmosphere,
to be condemned, & of no use[.] [T]hese remarks, I apply Sir, only to
the article of Slops. In regard Sir, to the $9000 for this vessel,
Mr Brannum informs me that he has been ordered, to pay out of
it, a dft for $1200, leaving $7800-$1000 for Capt Parker, &
$2200 for shipping men, will leave only $4600 for repairs etc.
when the new wheels alone will cost nearly $1500 & Mr Beatty
informs me to complete the work in his Department it will
cost nearly $1500 more, leaving scarcely anything for the bal-
ance, of the work, beside the incidental expenses of the vessel, and that
there may be no delay in completing the work, I thus early
remind the Department, that I do not confidently believe the amount
appropriated sufficient by some 3 or $4000, including all expenses, and
I very respectfully suggest to the Hon: Sec: of the Navy the propriety of
making some arrangement here to meet these expenses promptly, be
they little or much, as much will depend on it[.] [T]his liberty, has
been suggested by the circumstance, that many have been heard to remark,
“how is Texas going to pay all these expenses, don’t trust her, she can’t pay.”
These suggestions I have thrown out for the consideration of the
Hon Secretary of the Navy, deeming them in my humble judgment important
ones
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A.C. Hinton to Louis P. Cooke, November 29, 1839. Texas Navy Papers, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.