The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 47, July 1943 - April, 1944 Page: 108
456 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
108 Southwestern Historical Quarterly
sirous to put a speedy period to these dissensions, we have therefore in
conformity to the 156th article of the State Constitution thought proper
to issue this manifesto, indicating to all the good people of this jurisdiction
that a proper obedience to the laws is the first duty of a good citizen,
that every nation enjoys the undoubted right to establish its own system
of revenue, and the revenue laws like all other political laws are to be
respected by those who come within the legitimate scope of their action,
and although these laws may be unwise yet to resist them by force is more
unwise and illtimed than the laws themselves: besides it would be criminal.
If a few individuals forcibly oppose the collection of the customs what will
be its tendency? Will not others fall in their train? which if continued
will ultimately produce a state of things the injurious consequences of
which are incalculable.
It is not our business to estimate the intrinsic justice or injustice of our
system of import duties, yet we might be permitted to give our decided
opinion that when applied to the peculiar condition of these colonists that
they are disproportionate in some particulars and oppressive in others and
stand in great need of modification. But this modification is only to be
effected by the national congress. Our murmuring at home or wrangling
with the Collector serves only to fan the flame and augment the difficulties
in obtaining the much desired modification of the tariff. ....
... Every intelligent merchant before he enters into Foreign commerce,
takes care to inform himself of the particular laws of the place to which
he intends to trade; he ought to know the customs due on importations
and exportations, what goods are admissible and what prohibited, according
to the usages of the tariff and the regulations of the place to which he
extends his trade.
If he blindly participates himself into difficulties for want of that
necessary information which he might have had, and gets his cargo seized
for violation of the prohibitory law, which he as a merchant, is presumed
to know, what reason has he to complain, the fault is his own, the plea of
ignorance will not avail him, he only suffers the penalty of his temerity:
to resort to force would only augment the mischief, and all those who
might be drawn into the affair would incur heavy penalties. This Ayunta-
miento therefore, with great solicitude, caution all persons against using
any force, violent threats, or illegal means, aiding or assisting those who
may use force, violent or illegal means against the Collector of the Mari-
time customs of Galveston, in the discharge of his official duties or against
any of his officers, or other persons lawfully employed in the custom house
department, and we call upon all officers, both civil and military, to lend
their aid if required to sustain the revenue officers residing at Galveston
and Anahuac, in discharging their respective official duties; and we more-
over enjoin it as a duty incumbent upon the Comisaries and other officers
of Police of this municipality, to use their best exertions to suppress all
mobs, riots, threats or other disorderly conduct against the good order and
public tranquility, or against any of the public functionaries or other
individuals of this municipality, and to give timely notice of any such
mal-conduct, together with the names of those who may be engaged therein
to the competent authorities.
Ordered that a copy of the foregoing be served on the comisaries of
Anahuac, that a copy be furnished to the collectors for the custom House
at Galveston, that another be sent to the editor of the Texas Republican,
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 47, July 1943 - April, 1944, periodical, 1944; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146054/m1/126/: accessed May 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.