The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-12

| Tor a seaman 10 organize and command
feet of war. The choice fell upon Ed
ward Ward Moore, young Virginian, 2,
! years of age, at that time a feet com
mander in the United States service. He
| had been engaged in western explorations
| and had won distinction in West Indian
waters battling with the pirates; he was g
| gentleman of family and fortune and more
over warm friend of Texas and her ambi
tious people. The Texan government in.
vested him with the rank of commodore
and he resigned from the United States
navy to join his fortunes to the Lone StaI
republic.
The population of Texas was less than
10000, and her resources had been drained
by repeated conflicts with the Mexican and
Indian enemies who gave the colonists nc
peace. Moore pledged his private fortune
which for those days was large, and aided
by the credit which his conduct secured
for the new state, procured a small feet
and stationed it off the coast.
The United States acknowledged Texas
independence in 1887, France in 1899, and a
year later England, Holland and Belgium.
Meanwhile the murderous Comanches and
other sayages on her northern borders kept
up tedious and costly war inland; the ad-
ministration changed from Houston in
1886 to Lamar in 1888 and back to Houston
in 1871. The condition of the treasury was
that there was no treasury at ali, excepting
a bale OF invoices owing in all quarters.
Moore's navy, amounting to half dozen
wooden vessels, was eating up his own re-
sources and doing little for Texan indie
pendence except to warn off the despicable
batteries flying the Mexican flag But the
plucky commodore did not grow disheart-
ened. His extensive acquaintance and fair
demeanor made him host in himself, and
drew support from individuals and munich
palities outside of Texas. He kept on re-
cruiting and discipining his men. Fortu-
nately for Texas there was another rebel
lion against the usurpation of Santa Anna
in 1912; the state of Yucatan, then compris-
ing the present Yucatan and Campeachy,
threw of the yoke and gave the dictator a
war nearer home. Moore sailed for Yucca
tan and lay off Campeschy to await the
movements of the forces on land.
But the rebellion of Yucatan, like all
Mexican uprisings, was the work of a fac
ton, and there was treaehery and delay.
Besides, Mexico had just expended vast
sum in England for q new feet of war YES
and Guadalupe. Moores vessels were
sailers and all old, and carried but five
guns each. Houston was alarmed at the
turn of affairs and recalled Moore at once.
The trip to the seat of war, however, far
from cooling the enthusiasm of the young
commodore, filed him with fresh zeal for
the cause of Texan independence. The
English government, though friendly to
II H., 81 - L.
hands of the United States, and kept feet
cruising convenient for any emergency.
The United States government was also
on hand with force on the Mexican wa
tiers to protect her interests and secure the
large indemnity due on Mexican guaran-
tees. Moore reported to his superiors that
if given a suitable outfit he could blockade
the Mexican ports on the Atlantic side, as
the rebellion of Tucatan had already closed
a long strip of coast to Mexican trade. A
successful blockade would bring about for
eign interference, and Mexico would be
compelled to treat for peace. Houston pro
claimed a blockade on these representa-
tons, and ordered the commodore TO repair
TO Mobile and New Orleans to refit and
strengthen his command for contest with
the new Mexican navy.
The serviceable vessels under Moore at
this time were the brig-of-war Austin and
the schooner San Antonio. A third, the
Wharton, was bought at New Orleans and
all haste was made to get to sea. Lack of
funds was the chief draw back, for the little
state could spare but 500, 900 of her depre-
ciated currency to expend on the navy.
Mexico's fleet had cost 81, 000, 600 in gold.
Noore's large acquaintance and his repu-
tation for energy again served good turn,
and he soon had his vessels ready and only
needed funds and supplies for the crews.
One vessel only, the San Antonio, had a
complement, and she was sent out in
August to meet the Mexican steamer
Montezuna, which was off Yucatsn.
The San Antonio was struck by storm
which destroyed her, and Moore was left
stranded at New Orleans with only the
Austin and the Wharton, and no provis-
ions or sailors. Alarmed now for the fate
of the remaining vessels, in view of the
strength of his adversary, Houston rec
commended a sale of the ships, and a secret
act was passed authorizing the disarna-
ment.