You are also authorized to contract for Supplying them
with provision &c.
Sam Houston
[4169) [SWARTWOUT to MERCEADO]
, New York, September 8, 1836. Sir: T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, yesterday, of your letter propounding certain inquiries respecting the Texan vessel now in this port. To the first inquiry, viz. "whether said schooner is a merchant vessel, the commander of which has shown lo me his commission as such, from the President of the republic of Texas. To lhe second question viz. "upon whal grounds this office has admi lted said vessel," I beg leave to stale that, having received no orders from my own Government to interdict the entrance, into this district, of the vessels of the republic of Texas, I do not feel myself au lhorized to exclude or molest her unless she violates the laws of this Government. To the third inquiry, viz. "upon what grounds this office acknowledges a flag that is not acknowledged by the United States," I am constrained to answer, that it has been the practice at this port lo treat with respect and courtesy the flags of such nations as have declared themselves independent, and maintained their independence against the authority of the country from which they have seceded. Thal was the case, always, with respect lo the ~lexican flag before its independence was acknowledged by any Government in American or Europe. It is believed that, down to the present period, Spain herself has never acknowledged the independence of Mexico; not withstanding, this and other Governments have. I might add further, that the public armed vessels of the Government of Texas, ha,fog for the last six or eight months been constantly arriving and departing from the port New Orleans, without any hindrance on the part of the officers of the customs of that port, and so far am advised, without any complaint on the .part of the Mexican Government or its representative, furnishes a reasonable inference that iny Government have issued no orders forbidding the use of the waters of the United Stales lo vessels of the description referred to. 1 trust the answers given lo the inquiries c?nlained in your note will be satisfactory Lo yourself, and also lo lus Excellency the
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