New York August 23d 1836

Genl S F Austin

Sir

Since my arrival in New York from New Orleans, I have engaged myself among the friends of Texas, to obtain all possible information in regard to the general affairs of Texas. Such information as I may gain, that can promote your views, it will always give me pleasure to communicate, from the public feeling in Texas you will undoubtedly hold an important station, and much of the destinies of the Country must rest upon you. Feeling as I do a deep interest in the welfare of your country, I shall be amply compensated for any labour it may be to me, should I be able in a single instance to direct your mind to one movement, that might directly advantage the cause.

The two Gun Brigs contracted for by the Mexican Government have, as I learn been launched in Baltimore, and will mount each 12 Guns exclusive of Bridle ports and stern Guns. I shall soon visit Baltimore whence I shall examine minutely the vessels, and report to the Govt their armament, character and discription, and the circumstances under which they will leave for Mexico, as it will be impossible for them to obtain Crews in the United States, Texas has nothing to fear from them, for many months, and if a proper lookout is kept they may yet become part of the Navy of Texas. I shall make such arrangements in Baltimore as to insure to Texas accurate information of the time of sailing and the character of their equipment.

In regard to Loans, from the best information I can gain, nothing can be done to advantage until a new Executive is established, and the Treasury department placed upon a permanent basis, the conduct of President Burnett, and his Cabinet has destroyed all confidence, here, and the appointment of the new agents in New Orleans is considered as outrageous and unwarranted, it appears to me that the greatest care and caution is necessary in all, future movements, to restore the shaken credit of the Govt. Unless the affairs of Texas should become desperate no further voluntary contributions can be expected from this part of the States— Should the war continue and the country is obliged to depend upon the sale or pledge of the public Lands, to raise money, I would strongly recommend, that a practical business man should be intrusted with full powers, and that the selection should be made from some well known individual or House in the States, experience has sufficiently proven to the old Commissioners, the difficulty that a citizen of Texas will have to encounter in such transactions, The establishment of a new Executive will in a great measure change the present current of opinion in regard to your financial affairs, and should your name (fortunately for Texas) be placed at the head of the Executive a prudent course of conduct will soon restore the public credit. Such opinions I have heard expressed here by those whose conduct warrant them to be your friends, I look with extreme interest to the result of the next election as upon it, depends in a great measure the welfare of the country. My friend Bryan writes me that he has left for Texas, whatever may be the result of his application for Justice, he feels with me the strongest interest in the welfare of the country, and as our past exertions fully shew will make any posible sacrifice for the benefit of the cause.

The sale of Scrip here by the different Texas companies has rendered the price of Land nominal, when they can purchase nominal titles at less than a cent an acre at auction, it cannot be expected that even real titles should be worth much, I do not believe that at this moment Head rights would bring at auction Ten cents an acre, with this astounding fact before you, you will perceive the necessity of some immediate measures to restore, the value of land and place the Government in a Situation to command credit, One measure that would almost immediately insure such credit, would be to overturn at a blow the sales of the old land companies, or to place such restrictions upon them, as to make the value of their lands prospective, and predicating all titles upon actual settlement,

Trusting you will excuse the liberty I have taken, in forwarding to you the above remarks,

Samuel Ellis