This is what the "American Beale party" was actually involved in, their "guide" actually in reference to that person/persons serving as advisors;
MESSAGE
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
COMMUNICATING INFORMATION
OF THE PROCEEDING OF CERTAIN PERSONS
WHO TOOK POSSESSION OF AMELIA ISLAND
AND OF GALVEZTON, DURING THE SUMMER
OF THE PRESENT YEAR,
AND MADE ESTABLISHMENTS THERE.
December 15, 1817.
A register of the proceedings at Galveston, April 15th, 1817.
The undersigned persons having appeared for the purpose of taking the necessary oath of fidelity to the Mexican republic, now in the possession of those who represent that nation in this quarter, which act having been executed with all the solemnity due to the occasion, appeared.
1. The citizen Louis Derieux, commandant, who took the said oath in the presence of the citizen Louis Itourribarria, after which the other authorities were severally sworn before the said commandant in regular form; and to establish its authenticity, it has been signed by all those who were present; and the said document, shall be kept in the office of said port or place, with the signatures, as well as that of the representative, so that its validity may, at all times be established. And not being able, from existing circumstances, to obtain a seal of state, its place will be supplied by a common one, until an official one can be procured.
(Signed) LOUIS ITOURRIBARRIA,
LOUIS DERIEUX, A. PIRONNEAU, Junr. J. DUCOING, ROUSSELIN, R. ESPAGNOL, LAFON JENTERIM.
Bay of Galveston, April 20th, 1817.
The commanders of the independent Mexican vessels of war, Assembled on board the schooner
Jupiter, for the purpose of nominating, with the requisite formalities required by the authority, which in the name of the Mexican government, legitimately supports this nation, particularly in the existing war, carrying on against the Royalists of Spain, in consequence of which
they have proceeded to pronounce an opinion on the following articles:
The undersigned captains and owners of vessels, now in this port, having met according to public notice, have taken into consideration the proceedings of the 17th of this month, under which they named the citizen colonel Louis Derieux, military commandant, the citizen captain A. Peronnean, junr. as adjutant commandant, the citizen, J, Ducoing, as judge of the admiralty, the citizen Rousselin, as administrator of the revenue, and the citizen R. Espagnol, as secretary of the public treasury; all of whom, have been recognized by the provisional assembly; and at the same time, the citizen Jean Jannet, was appointed marine commandant of the said place, with all the necessary powers.
And after due deliberation, all the members of this assembly unanimously resolved, that the duties which shall accrue from the prizes already arrived, or may hereafter arrive at the port of Galveston after condemnation being pronounced, shall be disposed of as follows;
1st. The treasurer shall pay on demand, (bisto bueno) on the order of the government of the place, every expense which may be necessary for the port or harbor of Galveston, for the support of the officers employed, and for munitions of war and other expenses fixed according to the claims and obligations of the several officers.
2dly. That when the expenses of one month are ascertained, those of the month following may be anticipated out of the funds in hand.
3dly. That the surplus will be applied towards the payment of the debts of the government contracted prior to the 15th of April, 1817, upon the express condition, however, that no one, who is not actually employed at the said port, shall enjoy the advantage of that arrangement, and that the old debts will be paid only to those who are actually employed at the port of Galveston.
4thly. That the salaries of the officers and others employed, will be regulated by a special council, and that the whole will be entered in the register of the deliberations.
The whole has been signed in the presence of the secretary pro-tempore, Lafon* L. Derieux, A. Peronneau, jun. John Ducoing, Rousselin, Jean Jannet, Richard Espagnol, Parisi, John Quere, Dutrieu, Denis Thomas, Faiquiere, Joseph Place, Renaud B. Lavard, Savary, Marcelin, Gilop.
Passport from Don Radmond Gil, lieutenant in the royal navy, to Mr. Casimir Prieto, captain of the brig Charles.
I, Don Redmond Gil, lieutenant of a frigate, having rank in the royal navy, captain of this port, charged with the branch of the naval engineers, and the superintendence of the merchant vessels in this province, member of the board of health of this place, on behalf of his majesty, and temporary commandant of the marine register of this province, &c. &c. Hereby certify, that Mr. Casimir Prieto, captain, pilot, and sailing master of the brig
Charles, belonging to the United States of America, arrived in this port on the twenty-first day of the present month, from New Orleans, with a cargo of goods: that he declared and certified, that the Mexican privateer "Congresso Mexicano" opened his register and all his papers, and took away his sailing orders, and other documents, and carried off his mate. And to the end, that the said captain Prieto may make known to all whom it may concern, the proceeding of the said privateer, and be enabled to return with his vessel, to the port of his destination, I have granted him the present at Vera Cruz, this first day of July, 1817.
(Signed) RAMON GIL.
[Gratis.]
Nota. Free to pass, by permission of the government.
To Tli. Federico Melas.
(Translation.)
I certify, that I visited the brig "Charles," under American colors, from New Orleans, and allowed her to proceed, after examining her papers.
At sea, the 13th June, 1817.
(Signed) L'ANGE,
Commander of the privateer "
L'Amiable Aimee."
In article 3, above, this is in reference to those who were part of the "original" agreement/contract, all of this later activity being formed from that prior arrangement.So think in terms of corporate officers/stock holders, and employees. Thomas Beale, by the very nature of the narration, was an "elected officer" in charge of the recruiting of several men for specific task, this making him a man of elected position, as in one of those corporate officers, or stockholders in the, "perilous enterprise" being undertaken.
