The Streeter Copy of a Texas Rarity
The Ejercito del Norte Beaten by "a Despicable and Ridiculous Band of Adventurers"
This very rare northern Mexican provincial imprint, printed in Matamoros in 1837, relates directly to issues stemming from Mexico's military failures against the Texans. The text presents Barreiro's explanation for Mexico's failure to vanquish the Texans in 1836-37, with an accounting of supply expenses for the Ejercito del Norte (Army of the North). He reports on purchases of 1200 horses, and names the various purveyors and contractors who supplied the Mexican Army of the North.
In the fall of 1836 the Mexican government attempted, with complete lack of success, another expedition into Texas. This is an account by Barreiro of carrying out his duties as Comisaría General del Exercito del Norte for the period from October 21, 1836, to March 14, 1837. He discusses the source of his revenues which totalled some 484,000 pesos and gives a general account of the way these revenues were dispersed - Streeter.
In his concluding remarks Barreiros refers to Texas as a "rich and fertile region that has been usurped from Mexico by ungrateful colonists and perfidious foreigners." He adds that the Mexican army sees Texas as a naturally privileged land of great value that must be recuperated to restore Mexico's national honor. He scoffs at the Texas army as nothing to be feared: "a despicable and ridiculous band of adventurers" who "believe facing a veteran force of valiant marksmen is the same as hunting wild beasts." He cites climate, terrible deserts, extremes of temperature, continuous rains, and lack of supplies, as the true enemy for the Mexican army in Texas. He expresses his heartfelt conviction in Mexico as a nation of strength and vigor, a great power fully up to the task of establishing herself among the great nations of the globe; that she only needs to resolve to bring down the foreign enemies who threaten her at home and abroad to achieve her rightful place in the world.
The two full-page tables herein present Barreiro's balance sheet of income and expenses, including purchases of beef and other foodstuffs for the sustenance of troops.
Face-saving explanation for Mexico's failure against the despised Texans in 1836-7 - Howes.
Provenance
Thomas W. Streeter, his copy, with circular TWS book label on lining paper of chemise. Tiny pencil note in Streeter's distinctive hand in upper left corner of title page: "April 1929 NT"
Rarity
Streeter located 8 copies of this rare book, including his own (Huntington Library, Bancroft Library, Library of Congress, California State Library, University of Texas, Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico, Yale, and Streeter's own example). However, this book is very rare in the market, especially in such nice condition in the original printed wrappers.