WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
45
an order of the Government? Or was it in violation of orders? The San Antonio, a valuable vessel sent out in direct violation of orders, was lost, with over forty brave men on board, well officered, comprising the best spirits of the navy. But not- withstanding these facts, this .individual denounces the proclama- tion of the President of Texas as a wanton exercise of tyrannical authority. The proclamation of the President of Texas, under which the commodore was permitted to escape from Yucatan with his vessels, was issued in consequence of a communication received from Mexico through the British Minister. The proclamation reached Campeachy after these men were securely in the harbor, [in] which the steamers could not reach them. In consequence of the proclamation their blockade was raised, and they set sail for Texas. Where did they set sail to? They came to Allacranes. The vessels of Mexico sailed down to Vera Cruz, and left the others snug in [the] harbor of Yucatan. They did not come directly home, however, but, as I have said, went to Allacranes, one hundred and fifty miles or more out of the way, which they should have followed if they were coming homeward. What was this for? It is not contended that it was to avoid the peril of meeting with the enemy; but the Commodore said they were afraid to go into action after they received the proclamation; for if they did so, every man would go into action with a rope around his neck. Now, the fact is, that the Commodore himself knew of the proclamation prohibiting his going to Yucatan before he left New Orleans; and he read it, or it was read to him there. He also knew before he sailed from Yucatan that the President had issued another proclamation declaring an armistice. In con- sequence of it, Santa Anna withdrew his vessels from their position. Then the Commodore might have come home im- mediately; but he did not do so. He went to Allacranes, where he stayed to catch turtle. After that, we lose sight of the history of the turtles. He finally turned over the vessels, and after three years cruising, as he says, he had there one poor wounded sailor in each vessel, without even a fat turtle to subsist upon, and he claimed in a magnanimous manner the support of the Govern- ment, and that provision should be made for them. He had had his poor fellows wounded, not in an action brought on by the orders of Texas, not for the benefit of Texas, but for his own individual gratification and aggrandizement, and from a spirit of lawless insubordination.
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