James Hamilton to the Secretary of the Navy, November 3, 1838 - Page 2
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builders in Philadelphia. She is fully as large as the
Pulaski—she had all the furniture and bedding for 120
passengers and hence except wanted to transport troops.
I should presume it would be deemed expedient to keep
her as a Govt mail boat between New Orleans and Galveston
and in this may be carrying passengers in her saloon and
after Cabin, you might pay all her expenses and enable
the boat twice a month to get her coal fuel in New
Orleans and at the same time keep your coast clear of all
blockade and Mexican cruisers.
As M, Wolford is not a cit-
izen, the title had to be taken for the boat, in my name,
and so it will continue until she gets out to Texas, and
a regular transfer is made of her to your Govt. In the mean
time I have placed in command of the boat Capt James
____, [?] late Capt on the Marine Steamer Neptune,
one of the most popular, skilful and successful of our
steam boat captains, for the commander of this boat.
You could not possibly have a better man; and I have prom-
ised him my best offices to secure for him permanent em-
ployment in her. Mr. Williams your Naval Agent has
a carte blanche to arm and fit out the boat as he
pleases, with a long 18 in her bows, a long 12 in her
stern and 4 medium 18 pounders or 32 pounder canonades
on her sides; she will be worth a dozen brigs and corvetts [sic]
to
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James Hamilton to the Secretary of the Navy, November 3, 1838. Texas Navy Papers, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 401-1310.