WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
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the Government of Texas, that he assumed the control of himself and the squadron under his command, and regarded himself as irresponsible to any Government, I will read from the translation of the agreement made by him with one of the officers of Yucatan at the time the San Antonio was lost, a vessel sent to sea without orders or authority to carry on an illegal compact, or to enter into one, and invite one by our common enemy. This, sir, he did, without the knowledge of the Government, without the cognizance of a single officer of it, unless one of his personal associates. But, sir, here is the agreement between "E. W. Moore, commander of the squadron of the Republic of Texas, and Martin F. Pareza, Colonel, of the State of Yucatan, in virtue of the special power with which they are respectively invested by their respective Governments." That is utterly unfounded. I have no harsh epithets to use. It is not my desire to use them; but there can be no more flagrant violation of truth than is contained in these words which I have read. He says that he and the man with whom he made the agreement, were "invested by their respective Governments to accord and regulate the means of defense for both countries against the aggressions of the Government of Mexico, have, in the name of their respective Governments, agreed to the stipulations contained in the follow- ing articles." Is not that a forgery? What do you call it when an individual assumes to act for another, or for a Government without any authority whatever to do it? Is it not forgery? Well, sir, they go and make a very important bargain; and there is one thing in it that shows the insignificance of all the naval conflicts that are on record, and that this stands alone unrivalled in the annals of the world. Here, in the fifth article of this agreement, it is stipulated, "that the product of all the prizes that may be made from the residue of the Mexican squadron shall be re- ligiously divided." Now, sir, just think of these "superlative rogues" making a religious division of property. It seems to me to be a little paradoxical. They provided that the prizes should be "religiously divided in proportion between the Texas squadron and the launches and armed canoes of Yucatan." Now, sir, who ever heard of anything equal to that? Who ever dreamt before of attacking Mexican steamers with armed canoes? I never saw canoes armed, except for spearing fish; and it seems these men were to add immortal glory to their names by the use of armed canoes. Sir, when you take this in connection with their
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