July 22 1836 to Sep 23 1836 - PTR, Vol 8

provisions or eat cash-and the writer wishes the same fate might befal the Brazos section of country-for provisions will never fail where plenty of cash exists. Traveller. [4045] [GOROSTIZA Lo DICKINS] Mexican Legation Extraordinary in the United Stales of America, Philadelphia, August 21, 1836. Sir: Although il may be presumed that the commander of the Pensacola slalion will have already taken energetic and efficient measures lo prolecl American commerce against the risks with which it is threatened by the blockade of the porl of Matamoras, lately so scandalously proclaimed by the individual who gives himself the title of President of Texas, I still consider it my duly lo call the attention of the Department now under your charge, to the illegality and the nature of this unheard-of proceeding, in order that the President of the United States may, al my solicitation, if he should think it, as I do, just, order the vessels of war of this nation lo pursue and capture the armed Texans who pretend to maintain this blockade, considering and treating them as pirates. My opinion on the subject is formed on a very simple reasoning. No blockade can be maintained by any vessels except vessels of war; no vessel can be considered a vessel of war unless it bear a commission to that effect, delivered by some competent authority, and il sail under an acknowledged flag. In order that an authority be compelent to commission a vessel of war, it is indispensable that it be first acknowledged as an independent Power. In order that a flag be acknowledged, it is likewise indispensable that the existence of Lhe nation represented by it should have been previously acknowledged. That Texas is nol an independent Power in Lhe eyes of other nations, il is easy lo prove, inasmuch as no other nation has treated on equal terms with its self-styled government; and thal ils flag has nol been yet recognised by any nation is also obvious, because Lhe fact of ils existence as a nation has not been recognised. How then can Texas, without being an independent Power, and without having

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