(Copy) New York May 9th 1836
The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by the Government of Texas
to the United States, acting in virtue of the authority vested in us by the
said Government, have appointed, and by these presents do appoint, A. J.
Yates Esq a citizen of Texas, an agent of the Texian Government, for the
purpose of asking for, and receiving donations, loans, or other aid for the
Government of Texas.
The Loans which he may receive, shall be on the following basis: He
is authorized to issue certificates to the Lenders for the Amount loaned, to
bear interest not exceeding Ten per cent, and redeemable any time after
Five Years after the First of July next.
The said agent A. J. Yates is also fully authorised and impowered to
procure emigrants to Texas and arms, ammunition etc. to defend them
against the hostile Indians, and to promise to such Emigrant the bounties
of land etc. offered by the Independent Government of Texas, to those who
emigrate to that country, and embark in its cause, on the terms and in the
manner prescribed by the regulations of the Texian Government on the
Subject
The said Agent, A. J. Yates will keep an exact register of his acts and
proceedings under this power, and of the names and residences of the
persons who make donations and loans and of every important particular: and
communicate the same from time to time to the Texian Government, and to
the undersigned. He will deposit all the funds he may collect, in the hands
of D. L. Gregory and Co. or their offices in the city of New Orleans and
other places in the Western Country, (ever subject to the order of the
undersigned commissioners of Texas.
Should companies of Emigrants to be raised in any county or town and
the expenses of their Equipment, transportation etc be defrayed by a
Special contribution from the inhabitants, or other persons for that special
purpose, the said agent is authorized to sanction the appropriation of such
Special contributions, and to report the same to the Government of Texas.
The said Agent is authorized to pay his necessary current expenses, out
of any money he may receive for the Government of Texas, and he will
proceed through the State of New York, and the Western country to New
Orleans, by such routes as he may deem best calculated to promote the
object of his appointment and the cause of Liberty and Texas.
S. F. Austin
WM. H. Wharton
Coms. for Texas.