Memorandum Confidential Muskets.—

There are 960, muskets in New Orleans: English, Tower proof—oz bore: a first rate article: which I can controul, if not sold, on receipt of orders, given for their delivery, from this place, which can go in a moment, through you, whenever an arrangement can be concluded as follows:

960 Muskets______________________________________________________6$ short price is $5760.—

1/3 for cash ___________________________________________________ $1920.—

1/3 3 mot Credit_________________________________________________ 1920

1/3 may be merged in the loan____________________________________ 1920 5.760.—

Should any portion of these be sold on receipt of the order that may be given, the balance, that are unsold (whatever be the number) may be delivered instanter. —What think you of this proposition ? ?— I doubt not these 960 Muskets remain unsold yet, but this I cannot, of course vouch for.—

Again: There are 2000 Muskets here of same description, good article tower proof and ounce Ball or bore—The Holders ask for these $4.81 and would amt to $9620— They will not sell them, Except for part cash, and, balance satisfactory short paper. They refused making any proposition for the sale of them to you or your Govnt. as they are very cautious prudent folks, and know nothing of Texas affairs. —Probably we can manage it here, to make an arrangement, for them, and deliver, them, at N. Orleans, as soon as they can be sent there, at the same price and terms, as the 960, first spoken of, on this paper—. This, I repeat I think we can manage, provided you, the commissioners, think the good cause, will be promoted thereby by so doing — and you must understand; at same time, that the small Gain, in the operation, is not a sufficient object for us or any one to Embark in this last arrangement, Unless you should consider it an object to the Texian Governt. to send them on

They can be shippd At once, and sent to N. Orleans, and if all is right, go down to G. Bay at once—probably without discharging at all —The same vessel that takes these (if they go) can also take anything else you may have to send down from here— tell me what you think of the matter 1st- as regards the 960—and then as regards the 2000 here —If we can get the Loan up to 100.000 that will give us $10,000 Cash—and a portion of this might perhaps be appropriated to the muskets.— Now dont forget that in connection with this and other kindred topics of great interest to the cause, you must give us timely Notice, when you intend to leave Washington—and you must let us know a week or at least 4 or five days before Hand, so that one of us can go on and arrange all—

This I consider important in many points of view, as in 6 or less Hours all can be done which would require days and sheets of paper and then perhaps not be as well understood.—So, tell us or me, in answer to this and if you can, by return post, how your time goes, and when you fix your departure in anticipation, and let us know, I will run on and see you, if possible and if not one of us will go, and this will give us time to see what we can do in the way of extending the Loan and also with subscription Donation lists etc.

Pardon my scrawl for I have been interrupted momently since I set down at my desk— If tomorrows mail, or tomorrows steam boat confirms the rumors (in Bryan's Letter) that Sam has whippd- the Mexicans. It will of course have a good effect on our collections and Subscriptions—

Excuse my lengthy communications for I have not had time to make them shorter— Very truly

El mismo

Dont let these papers or my letters lay about or be exposed—

Private Continued

As regards the insurance there may be no claim on any one— If the office Insured the property against all risk— Including Capture by the Enemy then there is no claim— If not against capture, but only against sea Risk then the owners have no claim on the Insurance. —but lose the property, without recourse to any one

I shall send you the Evening paper and C and Enquirer of this morning. also;— The former will no doubt Copy from the Orleans papers of 2d came to hand this morning— Nothing direct from Texas, but some interesting advice from Matamoros, which ought to appear in the Globe— Gorostizal is, in Phila. or will be today—He intends publishing in the Globe or Nat Intel, his full correspondence with this Govnt. also you will see the Presidents answer to the call of the House of Reps. which has not reached us, —I call your attention to the enclosed paper in reference to M—which you will please reply to, as soon as possible, and give me a definite answer, as regards this transaction. Let it be a separate paper in reply to mine, to show to the parties.— I have this morns. Letter from S. F. Austin at Phila. dated 14th and note its contents. I hope to hear from the head of the Committee at Phila. on the subject of the men, money, wanted, to move them etc.— I was going to write him but shall wait, until tomorrow to receive his Letter We shall move in this business, without doubt, and that promptly— See Stones letter to you of yesterday addressd- either at Baltimore or Washington—I dont remember which—I agree with you that the south will save you— Still, I am sorry nothing further has been done here— that [than] when you left us— Tho I think something further will be done—today has been the first working day among us—and I suppose all are at work but myself— I confess I have done nothing, and the reason is before you—all calls on the subject of Texas are made to me—all enquirers sent to me—I have to get the news from the files of papers then, confer with Editors, and Talk up and answer inquiries etc. then write you etc. etc. So that I trust you will find some excuse for me at least for today— I do all I can and will do my utmost of this you must not doubt. But I have to do all myself, none can act for me: or write for me— This keeps me hard at work without fulfilling my promise of going on as I intended today— Still will tomorrow— The Charleston Boat, tomorrow might bring us news no doubt— I also send you a western paper just recd-— it might contain something of interest: Yours etc

Very truly and cordially The same

Pray let me hear from you fully and as often as possible and pardon my scrawl Papers herewith.

Again Truly El Mismo