In conformity with the powers vested in us as Commissioners of the
Provisional Government of Texas, we have in consequence of having full faith
in the fidelity, integrity and ability of Mr. William Bryan Merchant of
New Orleans, appointed and constituted him General Agent for Texas.
1st- It shall be the duty of said Agent to correspond regularly with the
Government and the Commissioners, and to keep them apprized of any, and
everything that may be useful to Texas.
It shall be his duty to accept all drafts drawn by the Purchasing Agent
to the extent of the funds of the Government within his control, also to
accept generally for the Government so far as prudence will justify.
It shall be his duty to accept and receive all donations that may be sent
to him from any part of the world, and deposit them to the credit of Texas
in the Bank of Orleans, as the law requires.
It shall be his duty to supervise the filling of all orders chartering of
vessels etc etc, to keep a faithful account of all purchases etc duplicates of
which shall be transmitted to the Government every three months.
It shall be his duty to compare accounts with the Purchasing Agent
every three months, and transmit the results to the Government every three
months as aforesaid. We pledge ourselves that all orders of the
Government for purchasing in the City shall be directed to said William Bryan
so long as he is the agent of Texas.
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
Wm. H. Wharton