[Mexico]. [Texas]

Secretaria de Guerra y Marina...El Exmo. Sr. Presidente Interino de la Republica Mexicana Se Ha Servido Dirigirme el Decreto Que Sigue. "El Presidente...sabed: Que para Manifestar el Justo Sentimiento de la Nacion y del Ejercito por la Captura del Benemerito de la Patria Presidente General D. Anotnio Lopez de Santa Anna..." [caption title and first lines of text]

Mexico City: May 20, 1836. Broadside, approximately 12 x 8.25 inches. Light wear, including a couple of small chips at edges. Minor wrinkling and toning at left edge. Contemporary manuscript annotations and docketing. Very good. Item #2061

A rare and significant Mexican broadside decree, dated May 20, 1836, promulgated by the Secretary of War, José Maria Tornel, that declares a state of mourning following the capture of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. The interim president of Mexico, José Justo Corro, orders that a daily reminder of his capture "while fighting to save the integrity of the national territory" be placed at army muster points in town plazas and squares, that black bands be affixed to military banners and guidons, and that flags be flown at half mast from forts, army plazas, and ships until Santa Anna regains his freedom. It reads as follows:

"El Presidente interino de la Républica Mexicana á los habitantes de ella, sabed: Que para manifestar el justo sentimiento de la Nacion y del ejército por la captura del benemérito de la Pátria Presidente General D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, se observarà lo prevenido en los articulos siguentes.

"1o. En la órden diaria del ejército de las plazas y de todos los cuerpos, se asentará el periodo siguente. 'En 21 de Abril de 1836, fué hecho prisionero el Presidente de la Républica General D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, peleando por salvar la integridad del territorio nacional.'

"2o. Mientras dure en prision S.E. el Presidente de la Républica, se pondrá á las banderas y á los guiones de los cuerpos de ejército un lazo de crespo negro.

"3o. El pabellon nacional se pondrá en las fortlezas, plazas de armas, y buques nacionales á media asta, entre tanto no obtenga su libertad el Presidente de la Républica."

The present copy contains interesting manuscript annotations indicating that it was sent to the state government of Durango, where it was received and ordered to be published as a bando on June 7, 1836, and is signed on the verso by state officials. Streeter knew of this circular, but did not have a copy. We locate only three copies of the present, original issue of the orders, at Yale, Indiana University, and Baylor; as well as a republication one day later by the Secretary of the Treasury, also at Yale; and a Zacatecas bando of the order, at the Bancroft.
Streeter Texas 879 (note).

Price: $3,500.00