The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 12, July 1908 - April, 1909 Page: 281
332 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Casse of the Brig Pocket.
281
II. THE EFFECTS OF THE CAPTURE ON THE AMERICANS.
When the news of the capture reached the United States it
caused much excitement, especially at New Orleans. Some looked
upon the act as one of piracy. William H. Wharton, who was then
in the United States as a member of the first commission sent
out by Texas, was very much wrought up over the matter. On
April 9, 1836, he wrote to the government of Texas, saying:
"There is some talk of piracy having been committed by one of
our vessels. In the name of God let the act be disclaimed and
the offenders promptly punished if such be the fact. I called on
the Secretary of State this morning. He had not heard it offi-
cially."1 The charge of piracy, however, was soon discredited,2 but
the affair brought home to the Americans the insecurity of their
commerce on the Gulf. The New Orleans Bee voiced the senti-
ments of those merchants who were not so much concerned over
the struggle between Texas and Mexico as they were over the
security of their commodities. A few quotations from the Bee,
will show how they viewed the matter:
It is high time that American commerce in the Gulf of Mexico
should be protected from both Texas and Mexico, and unless the
government interpose the evils will be very serious. . . . Our
commerce should be protected from all. . .
The lesson . . . should not be lost on our Texas friends.
It is neither the duty nor the interest of Texas to interfere with
Mexican commerce. . . . As much as we love Texas, we love
America more, and can not connive at any violation of American
rights and commerce by Texas. . . .
We have been shown a declaration signed by two captains of
Texas vessels, Brown of the Invincible and Hurd of the Brutus, that
they do not purpose hereafter to attack an American vessel or any
ship belonging to American citizens. This was necessary to calm the
apprehensions of the public, as the insurance companies and mer-
chants of extensive trade with Mexico were at first firmly resolved
to send to Europe for goods ordered from Mexico and have them
shipped to Mexico in French and English bottoms as the American
flag was no longer respected.
'Wharton to Government of Texas, April 9, 1836, in Diplomatic Corre-
spondence of United States and Texas.
2New Orlelans Bee, May 4, 1836.
8Ibid., May 6, 1836.
4Ibid, May 7, 1836.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 12, July 1908 - April, 1909, periodical, 1909; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101048/m1/319/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.