Mexican Army To Be Supplied via Matamoros During the Texas Revolution
A rare northern provincial printing of this July 16, 1836 decree issued by interim Mexican President José Justo Corro, directing that the port of Matamoros be opened for the importation of provisions during the war with Texas. The decree, with text consisting of three numbered sections, earmarks provisions for the Texas expeditionary force, exempting from seizure such mules and wagons being used to carry the supplies to the army. Translated into English the three paragraphs of the decree state:
- During the war with the Texas rebels, it is permitted to introduce imported supplies via the port of Matamoros.
- The duties incurred by said introduction of supplies are to be paid on the spot with supplies, to be received at the going rate. Such supplies will be destined exclusively for the Texas expeditionary forces.
- For those that transport supplies from the interior destined for the same army, such supplies will be exempt from all taxes and from seizures of such mules and wagons that carry the supplies.
That this broadside was printed in Zacatecas, an important city along early trade routes to Mexico's northern frontier provinces, adds further interest to the example at hand, particularly in light of the third paragraph, which extends an exemption from duties and seizures to the overland trade.
The present broadside bears the manuscript rubric of the governor of Zacatecas, Santiago Villegas.
Rarity
Such northern provincial printings of Mexican decrees concerning the Texas Revolution, are very rare in the market. We can trace only a single copy of this broadside, that at the Bancroft Library.
Provenance
Hubert Hudson, Texas Senator, 1957-1963.