any recognised flag, commission a vessel of war? and if it cannot commission vessels of war, with what vessels can it blockade the port of Matamoras, or any other port in the Mexican territory? Certainly with none. The armed vessels with which it endeavors to blockade that port, nol being vessels of war, cannot impede the free navigation of neutrals, much less seize and detain them, without committing acts of piracy. Their very presence in those ports is a crime of that nature, as it is well known, from Lhc declaration of their so-styled President, that they went there with his orders to commit such acts against the commerce of all nations. Now it is evident that the acts attempted or commilled at sea, which are generaUy injurious, acquire from that circumstance alone, the character of general piracy, and consequenlly, that the perpetrators of such acts are and can be no other than hosles humani gcneris, enemies of the human race. Such is the doctrine of all writers on national law, the universal practice, and the opinion of the celebrated Judge Marshall, as appears in the speech delivered by him in the House of Representatives, in the case of Thomas Nash, alias Jonathan Robbins. Be pleased, Mr. Acting Secretary of State of these United Stales, to submit what I have here stated lo the knowledge of the President, and lo accept the assurances of my distinguished consideration.
M. E. de Gorostiza.
To the Hon. A. Dickins, Acting Secretary of State
(4046] [HOUSTON to MORRIS]
Having received the fullest assurance and the most Satisfac- tory evidence . that two African Negroes now present, names unknown, were impressed by Robert Potter Esq Secy of the Navy of Texas of Mr. Retson Morris acting Agent for Mr. l\hmro - Edwards, for the purpose of employing them in publiek works on Galveston Island, and afterwards being in charge of a Mr. Blunt on their way to said Potters Plantation on Red River were detained passing through this placy he the Alcalde George Pollett Esq, I therefore hereby Order them to be immediately surrendered lo the said Morris and do by these presents pul him in possession of the same. Sam Houston Conu in Chief Nacogdoches Augt 21, 1836
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