The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 95
641 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Notes and Documents
discovered that a chance had at length arisen of redeeming the most
important arm of national defence from inactivity, favored by circum-
stances not anticipated when the secret legislation took place:-
Therefore, when I found Com. Moore willing to recognize the author-
ity of the Commissioners, and prompt in consenting to sail for Gal-
veston when required so to do, one serious barrier to the fulfilment
of the instructions to the Commissioners in regard to the Vessels under
his command, was forthwith removed by this proof of subordination.
But, when this conviction forced itself upon me, for certain reasons
I still determined to require the Vessels to repair to Galveston; one
was that in case of need this last remnant of coast defence might
be ready to render aid and there be subject to the full control of
the Government. When we reached Balize however, information
was received that an immediate descent on Telchak would enable us to
capture the Montezuma and with her aid cut off the whole Mexican
fleet from Vera Cruz, and capture every Vessel belonging to the enemy
on the coast of Mexico, as well as save Galveston from the contem-
plated invasion. The result proved that the chances were decidedly
in favor of the successful prosecution of this design, for we missed
the Montezuma but one day, and were not expected. If she had been
taken, the fate of the balance was by no means problematical. Hav-
ing failed however, in this, I will proceed to show what has been
accomplished.
When the Texian Squadron reached Campeche a treaty was pending,
which would certainly have led to the reannexation of the two coun-
tries, and natural exasperation on the part of Yucatan at the bad
faith of Texas, after using the means furnished to secure our aid-
would have joined her Navy to that of Mexico, her resources would
have filled the Treasury of our enemy, and if any thing had led to the
disbanding of our Navy at Galveston our whole coast would have been
at the mercy of our inexorable enemy. A hasty movement alone
changed the whole face of things. Our vessels have proved themselves
competent to the defence of Texas by sea. Yucatan will doubtless never
consent to act against us, and no loss or injury has been sustained
by Texas in consequence of the responsibility which I have assumed.
Our vessels are safe in the harbor of Galveston with an unsullied
flag, and my voyage from N.O. via Yucatan has been accomplished as
I hope without having subjected my country to dishonor by any act
of ours, or having in any way lowered our character at home or
abroad, unless gaining a decided advantage over the enemy in two
different engagements against a superior force, and finally causing
him to leave the Gulf and seek shelter in some of the numerous for-
tified ports on the coast of Mexico may be so considered.
I had written thus far when a paper fell under my eye wherein I
find published the instructions of President Houston to the Commis-
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963, periodical, 1963; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101196/m1/109/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.