Freestone County, Texas
History - 1830s




Boston Courier newspaper
December 21, 1837 edition


TEXAS' SYSTEM OF LEGALIZED PIRACY- The Senate and House of Representatives of
the Republic of Texas resolved in an assembled Congress upon their cordial 
concurrence to grant letters of marque and reprisal against the commerce and 
government of Mexico. It was also resolved that the secretary of the navy have 
resolutions regarding reprisal against Mexico, published in the Texas Telegraph 
and in public journals of the United States in the North.  The government of
Texas also relinquished her right to ten per cent, which was usually paid by 
privateers. The English Government instructed her Naval commanders to treat the
Texan Navy as pirates. A system of treasury notes had been adopted in Texas. 
President Houston faced an indisposition caused by a severe wound in his right
arm, received while battling for his country's liberty, which caused him to be
unable to sign promissory notes of the government. William G. Cooke was 
appointed to perform the duty.