New York April 3. 1836—
Sir,
The commissioners appointed by the Provisional Govt of Texas in
November and December last have discharged the duties assigned to them as
fully as their powers and the peculiar circumstances in which they have
been placed would permit
It is with regret we are compelled to say that the state of things at home,
has embarrassed the labors of the Govt. agents in this country—
The undersigned, have not receaved one word from the Govt since the
meeting of the convention in March, and the public have been informed
through the newspapers that we have been superceded that we have no
powers as agents etc. You will at once perceive the bad effect which such
things have on the public mind, for, taken in common with many
exaggrated accounts of internal dessentions etc., they have had a tendency to
weaken public confidence and to paralise our efforts—
In our communications from New Orleans and Nashville and Louisville
and Washington City, we informed the Govt. of our proceedings, and that
it was all important for some one to be furnished officially with the
declaration of independence and with full instructions— For the want of these
documents we could do no more in Washington than to prepare opinions
to sustain the declaration of independence made by Texas— We feel every
confidence that [as] soon as a diplomatic agent, properly authorized
appears at W. [Washington] all will be done, that the nature of the subject
will permit.
A loan is in progress in this city, but we are convinced no loan will
succeed to a large amount, except on the basis of a positive sale of land at a
price not exceeding half a dollar an acre— but only 10 per cent is to be
advanced, the balance is not to be paid untill the govt approves of the
transaction, and give to the lenders the option of taking land at twenty
five cents pr. acre— Nothing can be done on this subject without full
powers to sell land at the best price that can be obtained for the prices of
land will vary according to the news from Texas and the state of the money
markets here
We refer you to the proceedings of the meeting in this city, on the 26th
and to the pamphlet published here on the subject, for information as to
public feeling in favor of Texas— it is warmly enlisted and is becoming
more so every day—
We shall attend a public meeting in Phila- on the 2d next month, and
then proceed homeward, for, altho we are positively orderd by the
instructions of Gov. Smith not to do so untill directed by that Govt we are
compelled to believe that an order for our recall has been issued and detained
by miscarriage.