The Texas NavyGeorge W. Hill to Sam Houston, January 1, 1844 - Page 2

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George W. Hill to Sam Houston, January 1844in May last, (which have been but partially
repaired) will require them to be placed in a dry
dock, which in the present condition of the navy
will be attended with many inconveniences and
much expense and when effected, the period of
their utility will be of uncertain duration, for it
is uncertain at what time the dock may be re-
quired for vessels, the timbers of which are in a
state of rapid decay, however well repaired[.]
Laying them up in ordinary will not preserve them[.]
Vessels for this character of service should be sound
and well appointed, and from the best information
in possession of the department, as well as from per-
sonal observation, as from the reports of naval officers
I am constrained to state that with all the repairs
practicable, the period that we can expect the naval
vessels at present in the port of Galveston to be kept
sea-worthy as such, cannot exceed eighteen months
and may be much shorter, as they can barely be
considered so at present, after receiving the essential
repairs[.] The estimates transmitted were all made
in par funds, and to refit the vessels for sea or to
lay them up in ordinary, it will be necessary that
the entire amount for repairs and the principal
portion of the remainder of the estimates should be
at the disposal of the Department at once, as in
all transactions connected with the service, either
at Galveston or at New Orleans La. cash is required.

              A desire for the estimates alluded to, seems to
indicate a meditated change of policy with reference
to the Navy and believing the subject worthy of full
investigation, I transmit the above statement and
beg leave most earnestly to solicit the attention
of your Excellency to a consideration of how far
the interests of the nation might be advanced by
applying such means as may be at the disposition
of the Government and required to be expended

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George W. Hill to Sam Houston, January 1, 1844. Texas Navy Papers, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
 

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