The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 91

Notes and Documents

Vessels of War under his command has given rise to much specula-
tion and some animadversion that may have grown out of the mystery
which has enveloped the whole proceedings, and as I have had no
little agency in giving rise to all this stir and have it measurably in my
power to clear up the mystery, in which the affair is involved, it is
expected of me to enter into some explanation with regard to my
course of conduct, as an actor in this drama.
I have been gratified I must confess, and not much surprised at
the spontaneous burst of applause and rejoicings in Texas, which have
greeted the late achievement of our two armed Vessels under Com-
modore Moore. At such a crisis-after frequent disasters encoun-
tered by parties of Texians opposing the enemy of late years, and
the retrograde movement of the country as a nation, it was natural
for the people of Texas to evince enthusiasm at any little victory
obtained over the enemy, and to display extraordinary signs of
approbation at one such as has lead to the evacuation of Yucatan by
the enemy and the reasumption of supremacy on the Gulf by the
Navy of Texas. It is natural to suppose that such an event at such a
time, is calculated to elicit such feelings, without the populance
taking one moment to consider whether the proceeding was legal or
illegal-with or without orders. - Sober reflection however, may
create a reaction, and many who applauded during the excitement,
may condemn afterwards. It is to such sober second thinkers, that I
wish to represent that the achievements of the Texas Navy have not
been more glorious, than the motives that led to them were honest
and patriotic. No one can regret more than I do, that President Hous-
ton issued his late proclamation in regard to Commodore Moore-
and no one can regret more than I do that the same high functionary
was under the impression that he had cause to do so. It may possibly
turn out that I was more or less the cause of his doing it! If Presi-
dent Houston was led to believe "that the Commissioner was forced
to go ashore at the Balize against his inclination," or that he had
been "thrown overboard at sea," and that Commodore Moore had done
it for the purpose of prosecuting his cruise against all authority, then
President Houston may not have been to blame for what he has done.
As to disobeying the orders of his Government so repeatedly before,
as set forth in the Proclamation, Com. Moore denies, but as that is
a matter between President Houston and Com. Moore, I leave it to
be settled between them, and will, before I conclude, give some of the
reasons why I countenanced visiting the coast of Yucatan on our way
to Texas. In the first place however, I must state, that I had just as
much authority from my instructions to touch on the coast of Yucatan
with the vessels, as I had to proceed direct to Galveston with them,
and that I had no instructions to do either!!