The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 12, July 1908 - April, 1909 Page: 249

THE QUARTERLY
OF THE
TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Vol. XII. APRIL, 1909. No. 4.
The publication committee and the editors disclaim responsibility for views
expressed by contributors to THE QUARTERLY.
THE NAVY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS.
ALEX. DIENST.
II.
THE FIRST NAVY OF TEXAS.
V. THE LIBERTY.
While, as noted in the last chapter, instructions were being car-
ried to Captain George Wheelwright, the newly appointed com-
mander of the Liberty, Captain William S. Brown, intent upon a
capture, was cruising on the high seas with the Liberty, seeking
Mexican vessels. On March 3, 1836, he fell in with the Pelicao,
a trading schooner, commanded by Captain P6rez.1 The Pelicano
was cleared from the port of New Orleans on February 85, 1836,
by James W. Zachari, with a cargo purporting to, consist of 550
barrels of flour; but in each barrel after the capture it was found
that there were concealed three kegs of gunpowder intended for
the Mexican army. The Pelicano was a Baltimore built vessel of
the first class, carrying three large brass pieces, and having on
board, besides her crew, twenty soldiers, double armed with mus-
kets.2 As the Liberty carried but four small guns, she was really
venturesome to attempt the capture, especially as the fight took
place within point blank range of the guns of the port of Sisal.
'Commercial Advertiser, New Orleans, April 25, 1836; undated clipping
from the New Orleans True American, Austin Papers.
"House Journal, 3d Tex. Cong., 114.