WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
339
And whereas, also, commissioners were appointed and duly commissioned, under a secret act of the Congress of the Republic, in relation to the future disposition of the Navy of Texas, who proceeded to New Orleans in discharge of the duties assigned them: And whereas, the said post captain, E. W. Moore, has dis- obeyed and continues to disobey all orders of this government; and has refused and continues to refuse to deliver over the said vessels to the said commissioners in accordance with law; but, on the contrary, declares a disregard of the orders of this govern- ment and avows his intention to proceed to sea under the flag of Texas and in direct violation of said orders and cruise upon the high seas with armed vessels, contrary to the laws of this Republic and of nations : . And whereas, the President of the Republic is determined to enforce the laws and exonerate the nation from the imputation and sanction of such infamous conduct; and with a view to exercise the offices of friendship and good neighborhood towards those nations whose recognition has been obtained; and for the purpose of according due respect to the safety of commerce and the maintenance of those most essential rules of subordination which have not heretofore been so flagrantly violated by the subaltern officer of any organized government known to the present age, it has become necessary and proper to make public these vai-ious acts of disobedience, contumacy and mutiny, on the part of the said post captain E. W. Moore: Therefore, I, Sam Houston, President and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the Republic of Texas, do, by these presents, declare and proclaim that he, the aforesaid post captain, E. W. Moore, is suspended from all command in the Navy of the Re- public; and that all orders "sealed" or otherwise, which were issued to the said post captain, E. vV. Moore, previous to the 29th October, 1842, are hereby revoked and declared null and void; and he is hereby commanded to obey his subsequent orders and report forthwith, in person, to the Head of the Department of War and Marine of this government. And I do further declare and proclaim, on failure of obedience to this command, or on his having gone to sea contrary to orders, that this government will no longer hold itself responsible for his acts upon the high seas; but in such case requests all the governments in treaty or on terms of amity with this govern- ment, and all naval officers on the high seas, or in oorts foreign to this country, to seize the said post captain E. W. Moore, the Ship Austin and the brig ·wharton, with their crews and bring
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