Description:

Texas

Small Republic of Texas archive relating to the Mexican capture of the American schooner Julius Caesar in the spring of 1837. Archive comprised of a 2pp hand-written and signed petition to Texan officials; a 3pp ALS with integral address leaf; and a 7pp AM with integral cover page marked as a calendar. Ex-William Burger Collection.

 

The Mexican warship General Teran led by Captain Jose V. Matios captured the Julius Caesar on April 12, 1837 near the U.S./Texas/Mexico international border (the Sabine River).  Julius Caesar had disembarked from New Orleans and was bound for Brazoria, Texas when it was intercepted. As we know from this archive and from other primary sources, Julius Caesar was towed into Matamoros in northeastern Mexico, and its passengers and crew imprisoned until their later release.

 

The first item, a 2pp manuscript signed "B.B. Boling", is addressed to Republic of Texas officials. Boling, a passenger on the Julius Caesar, requested new official copies of land certificates that had been confiscated by Mexican officials. In question were about a dozen land certificates representing approximately 8,960 acres. In very good condition, with overall toning, and some staining and ink bleed through. Expected folds and edge wear, each page measures 7.75" x 12.625".

 

The second item, a 3pp ALS with integral address leaf signed "J.D. Kirkpatrick", was written to Julius Caesar passenger B.B. Boling from Kenna Bay Prairie, Texas on June 28, 1837. Partial red wax seal remnant on address leaf. In very good condition, with overall toning. Expected paper folds including some professionally reinforced. Small area of silk expertly inserted along right edge of third page. Each page measures 6.5" x 7.875".

 

Boling's old friend Kirkpatrick congratulated him on his recent escape while using vivid and folksy Death and hell imagery.

 

Please see lengthy excerpt below with untouched spelling and grammar:

 

"I hear you have recoverd and escaped old Nick this time I am glad of it the old boy could surely have but little use for you yet excerpt indeed it was to singe off them long whiskers of yours what a laugh the old fellow would have had as he looked out and said 'stand by boys here come Bolling look you now his big whiskers will burn curl and stink beneath the blaze' but you have cheated the old fellow for once and I hope you will always do it I am rather of the opinion that it is no verry pleasant thing to meet the old gentleman face to face and beside I don't think the climate of that latitude would suit you it being as I am told much too warm for comfort".

 

The third item, a 7pp AM with integral cover serving as a calendar, was hand-written by Boling while he was imprisoned. The cover is partly ripped and with corner loss. Isolated foxing and edge wear. The pencil inscribed writing is in some places difficult to read. Each page measures 4" x 6.25".

 

Please see lengthy excerpt below with untouched spelling and grammar:

 

"The 12th about (7?) o'clock the Mexican brig General Teran was sean off a bout a mile … she made sail … for the shooner and was soon in musket shot of us when she fired a signal gun … on the 14th Booker, Capt. Moore and myself cald a meeting with the pasingers that remained on the schooner. On the 16th we landed at the rio Bravo 35 miles from Matamoris but ware put upstares in a small room--22 of us guarded by about 30 soldiers … no thing for to eate four days … After we arrived in Mat. we ware marched through the town and then to the calabos … I coud not describe my fealings wel at that time - I loked round at my companions and thar countinances look as mine felt - That we ware domed to drag out miserable life in prisen … "

 

The Army and Navy Chronicle, Volumes 4-5, covering the period from January 1 to June 30, 1837, substantiate details of B.B. Boling's account. Disturbing news came "From Texas" that passengers of the Julius Caesar were manhandled, chained, confined without food, price gauged, and paraded through the city of Matamoros. A passing line buried in this report may also refer to our B.B. Boling, Esq.: "On the morning of the fifteenth … the Captain of the Gen Teran ordered the passengers … who still remained in the Julius Caesar, to be brought aboard his vessel and put in irons … with all but three married gentleman, who suffered to remain aboard the schooner … " From this excerpt, we can speculate that Boling was perhaps one of the married passengers as he, one Booker, and one Moore "remained on the schooner".

 

A remarkable archive from the Republic of Texas foreshadowing outright war less than ten years later!

Ex-Burger Collection

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