Extract
The Texas Navy
EDITOR'S NOTE: We want to express our appreciation to reader Billy N. Hall of Texarkana, Texas, for bringing this story to our attention.
While Mexico continued to refuse recognition and threaten reconquest, Texas found herself with a new president, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar (18381841), who was less inclined to await Mexican attack. Under Lamar's administration, Texas reached a high watermark in nationalism, and official policy soared to its most daring heights. After the rejection of Texan overtures for statehood by Pres. Van Buren, Lamar decided upon a course of complete autonomy for Texas. He entertained plans for a capitol, a national bank, and a staterun educational system. He would acquire the diplomatic recognition of major European powers, and support the independence of Texas with a military establishment of whatever size required.A new Navy was created with firstclass warships and a professional officers corps. Six vessels were built in Baltimore for Texas under a contract signed with one Frederick Dawson on 13 November 1838. The cost of the ships was $280,000 - a sum which was not paid until long after Texas was admitted into the Union. They were well-designed, built and rigged; as late as 1848, American Naval officers still commented on their fine lines. The ships were completed and delivered intermittently between June 1...See the full content of this document
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