A SECOND ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF THE TEXAS REPUBLIC NAVAL PROMISSORY NOTE, CITY OF AUSTIN, TREASURY DEPARTMENT, APRIL 23, 1841, ink on paper, reads, "The last Naval Appropriation being inadequate to satisfy the claims of the Officers, Sailors and Marines of the Texian Navy, the holder of this Certificate, or his Assignee, will be entitled to FIFTY DOLLARS upon its presentation at the Treasury, out of the first Appropriation made by Congress to meet said claims," endorsed by Samuel B. Shands, Comptroller, and James W. Simmons (c.1790 - c.1858), Treasurer; verso inscribed "Evan Williams, Fireman." 3 1/4" x 7 1/4" NOTE: James Wright Simmons, poet and government official, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, about 1790 and was educated at Harvard University. He traveled in Europe for some time and upon his return was coeditor of the Southern Literary Gazette with William Gilmore Simms in Charleston from September 1828 through March 1829. Simmons was a brother of Cleveland K. Simmons, who died at the Alamo, and was a cousin of Hamilton P. Bee. Simmons was comptroller of the Republic of Texas from 1839 to 1840. He was appointed treasurer in 1840 and served until he left for the United States in November 1841. In August 1846, Sam Houston helped write a letter recommending Simmons as Naval Storekeeper of Texas in Galveston, but apparently sent another correspondence on December 25, 1848, in reference to Simmons's removal from office. Simmons contributed to newspapers and magazines and was associated with the Galveston Banner. He may be the same James W. Simmons of South Carolina listed in the 1850 census, living in Galveston County, with a wife, Louisa, and four children. His age, however, was listed as forty-three years. Simmons published at least three volumes of poetry: The Maniac's Confession (1821), Bluebeard; or, The Marshall of France (1821), and The Greek Girl (1852). Reference: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fsi13

Some fading of ink, irregular edges, some ink bleed, and mild tone to the paper, but otherwise in very good condition, wear commensurate with age.

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