STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, BRANCH T. ARCHER, AND WILLIAM H. WHARTON, FIRST TEXIAN LOAN CERTIFICATE, SIGNED, one page, 8.5" x 10.5", New Orleans, January 11, 1836 , "Certificate No. 317", with ornate borders and "Texian Loan" heading. With one X-cancellation.In part, "Received, of Thomas D. Carneal Thirty-Two Dollars the First Installment [sic] on a Loan of Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars, made by him this day to the Government of Texas for Five Years, bearing Interest at the rate of Eight Per Centum per Annum, payable annually." The Provisional Government issued these certificates to raise funds for the revolution. They were redeemable for land at fifty cents per acre. This first loan for the Texian cause was for $200,000 and was subscribed by ten men: four from Cincinnati, two from Virginia, one from New Orleans, and three from Kentucky, including Robert Triplett, who subscribed for $100,000, half of the first loan. Ten per cent of the amount was paid down with the balance to be paid upon ratification of the contract by the convention, which had been called for on March 1. Signing as "Commissioners on the Part of Texas" are Austin, Archer, and Wharton who had been appointed to lobby the United States for financial assistance, collect supplies, and recruit men for the Texas cause. They arrived in New Orleans in January, 1836, and negotiated a series of loans. (On thin paper, this loan bears the imprint at the bottom, "Printed by Benjamin Levy - New-Orleans.") The three commissioners then proceeded up the Mississippi River, making numerous speeches before traveling to Washington, D.C. After they were unable to persuade the U.S. Congress to support their cause, they returned home. During their trip, on March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence. In November, 1836, Texas President Sam Houston appointed Stephen F. Austin secretary of state and William T. Wharton as first minister to the United States. Branch T. Archer served in the First Congress of Texas and as speaker of the house during its second session. Height: 10 1/2" Width: 8 1/2"