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Food for Mexican Soldiers Headed to Fight the Texans
The present Mexican decree, dated October 15, 1836, establishes a commissary department for the Mexican army then proceeding to Texas during the Texas Revolution. The decree underscores the logistical challenges of supplying the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution, emphasizing provisions and taxation incentives to ensure adequate resources for the campaign. The text outlines specific types of provisions that are expected to be procured and distributed to the troops: flour, rice, sugar, cacao, chocolate, coffee, beans, lentils, chickpeas, maize, pork fat, salted or cured meats, spices, and various other staple foods and supplies.
This decree follows on the heels and extends the July 16, 1836 decree also issued by interim Mexican President José Justo Corro, which had initially directed the port of Matamoros be opened for the importation of provisions during the war with Texas.
The five numbered paragraphs comprising the present decree:
Article 1:
Grants authorization for the importation of provisions via Matamoros, extending to also include ports on the northern coast occupied by the expeditionary army in Texas.
Article 2:
The provisions specified for this decree, to be imported via Matamoros or other ports under the army’s occupation, are those necessary and suitable for the sustenance of the army. Their importation shall pay a reduced tariff of only twenty percent of the general customs tariff. The exception to this is cacao and any items already classified under the general tariff, which will pay half of the standard rate.
Article 3:
Provisions imported via Matamoros or any other indicated ports on Mexican ships or directly from ports under the Republic's control shall be duty-free.
Article 4:
If the expeditionary army occupies additional ports in Texas, a commissioner of the division, in coordination with the commanding general, will establish an office to oversee the distribution and administration of these provisions. The government will be informed to ensure proper coordination.
Article 5:
This decree shall remain in effect from July 16th and shall continue to apply in all its aspects.
The decree concludes by affirming its issuance in Mexico City on October 15, 1836, signed by José Justo Corro (interim president) and promulgated by Ignacio Alas.
Rarity
This broadside is very rare in commerce. OCLC locates six examples, those at the Bancroft, University of Pennsylvania, Texas A&M, Baylor, BYU, and Yale.
