Sept 24 1836 to Oct 24 1836 - PTR, Vol. 9

An Ordinance and .Decree.forgranting Letters o.f 1Jt/arquc and Reprisal. ~I::C. 1. Be it ordained and decreed, a11d it is hereby or- dat11ed and decreed, by the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas, 'fhat the Governor, by and with the ad- vice and consent of the General Council, shall have power to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; and that all persons applying for such Letters of Marque and Reprisal shall be men of known character, standing and skill as naval tacticians; and no license shall he granted to any vessel under eighty tons bnrthen, carrying less than four twelve pound carronades, or their equivalent in metal. SEC. 2. Be it further ordained and decreed, That all ve~sels so licensed, shall cruise within the Gulf of Mexico, and !lball be permitted, and they are hereby enjoined to make war upon, board, capture or make prize of all vessels sailing under the flag and under the commission of the Central Government of Mexico, and no other. • SEC. 3. And be it further ordained and decreed,· That all prizes so captured, shall be ordered and brought into the ports of Texas, 1.1.nd shall be there adjudicated, and if con- d(:mned as such, shall be sold, and twenty pel' cent. of the proceeds paid into the Treasury of Texas, and the balance paid over to the captors or their legal representatives, or their as- signs. SEC. 4. And be it further ordained and decreed, That no Commission or Letter of Marque. and Reprisal shall be granted for n less term thnn three months, or a longer than six months; and shall, in all cases, expire at the encl of the war between Texas and the Central Government of Mexico. SEC. 5. Aud be it further ordained and decreed. That it shnll be the <luty of the Governor, upon issuing nny license or commission to any person possessing the requi~ite qualifica- tions as enumerated in section 1st of of this Orclmance, to ac- company the enme with instructions of the principles and i:e- ~trictions of this Oroinnnce of the General Council, authonz- ing and granting Letters of Marque and Repri~al.

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