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[E.W. Moore]. Action of the Legislature of the State of Texas, ...
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Description
[E.W. Moore]. Action of the Legislature of the State of Texas, in Reference to the Charge of Defalcation against Commodore E.W. Moore and the Construction Put upon the "Annexation Resolutions," by the Government of the United States. Washington: T. Barnard, Printer, 1849.FIRST EDITION. 8vo. 14 pages. Disbound. This rare work concerns Commodore Moore's attempts to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in 1840-41, while sailing off the Mexican coast to hasten negotiations for peace between Mexico and Texas.
Although President Sam Houston had commissioned Moore to blockade the Mexican coast, he refused to provide adequate funding for the excursion. As a result, Commodore Moore's expedition was desperately low on food and fuel. In a last bid to secure funds, Moore took his ships up the Tabasco River to treat with Yucatán rebels who were fighting the Mexican government. Moore agreed to help the rebels in exchange for a payment of $25,000. Moore's actions saved the federalist Yucatán rebels from a hasty and ill-warranted peace with centralist Santa Anna, and ultimately resulted in the first accurate navigation charts of the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, shipping losses plummeted, and insurance rates for ships going to Texas dropped, a great boost to the Texas economy.
By June 1843, the Texas Navy controlled the Gulf, but President Houston remained outraged that Moore had ignored his orders and assisted the Yucatán rebels. Houston accused Moore of willful neglect of duty, misapplication of money, embezzlement of public property, fraud, disobedience, contempt, treason, and murder. Angry, bitter, and financially impoverished, Moore demanded a trial, and was ultimately found not guilty except on four minor charges.
After the dissolution of the Texas Navy, Moore spent many years prosecuting financial claims against Texas. This imprint relates to those efforts. In the end, Texas settled with him for $44,655.
Raines writes, "Moore resigned his position in the U.S. Navy to become a naval officer in the Republic of Texas, and his name is associated with all that is glorious in the achievements of the Texas Navy. His 'Appeal' shows a remarkable case of executive persecution. Says Lt. Raphael Semmes, U.S. navy (and later Admiral C.S. Navy): 'Next to Gen. Houston, the hero of San Jacinto, Texas owes more to Commodore Moore than to any other man who has figured in the drama of her revolution.'"
Condition: Some foxing and staining throughout. Sewing-hole present on spine.
References: Eberstadt 162-779; Raines, Texas Bibliography, pg 151.
Auction Info
2023 December 2 The Ted Lusher Texas History Collection, Part One Signature® Auction #6281 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
2nd
Saturday
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