Page:John O. Meusebach - Answer to Interragatories.djvu/21

 portation of emigrants of 1845, from place of disembarkation at Galveston, till to the colony. This amount was certainly a good deal less than actual cost; the transportation and expense for it had to be done and made in Texas, and not in Europe. The money should have been here before or at the arrival of the emigrants in October (and following months)—$33,161.60. The manager or leading director in Europe could not be under the illusion that the trifling credit of $24,000 used up in paying the old debts, could be used a second time to pay for transportation. In a letter addressed to me, dated March 24, 1846, he acknowledges the fault, trying to lay the blame on other shoulders:

"The leading committee did make the fault to send the emigrants and not the money for transportation."

3. As I have stated before, the Company charged to each single emigrant, or family, for a house if they wanted it, $24; said house to be built on their lands in the colony. It could not be built for less than $100. Suppose there were only 500 houses, or even less, charged for the 4000 emigrants, it would have needed $12,000, amount to be expended here at or before arrival of the emigrants, and not to be kept in the pockets of the Company.

4. "Of the deposits of a single emigrant, at 300 fl., the Company receives 150 fl.; it remains, therefore, for him a credit of 150 fl." (Coll. Doc, 74, 75, 76.) These credits, or remaining deposits, of the emigrants of 1845 amounted to 130,336 fl., 5x at 40 cts., equal to $52,134.40, as I have stated before. Half of it was counted to go to the Company's pocket, the other half was sent as checks or orders drawn on the empty treasury in Texas, without giving me notice beforehand; without sending a list of the checks or orders drawn; without having first made a deposit here in Texas for that amount. To pay these orders it