Texan Schooner Invincible - Charges of Piracy

Charges of Piracy

Brown immediately left Galveston after disposing of the prize because Invincible was due to be refitted in New Orleans. However, word of the Pocket's capture upset certain New Orleans merchants and insurance carriers, whose lobbying forced local federal officials to take action against the Texans under the guise of protecting American shipping in the Gulf of Mexico. On May 1, 1836, the captain and crew of the Invincible were arrested and charged with piracy under US laws. However, the charge was not substantiated, and the crew was released.

After some delays, the schooner Invincible returned to Galveston where she was ordered to Anahuac where she was supposed to transport the captive Santa Anna to Veracruz as part of the Treaty of Velasco. On June 5, 1836, General Thomas Jefferson Green arrived in Anahuac with American volunteers aboard a Texas contract vessel, Ocean. The Ocean prevented the Invincible from getting underway, and Santa Anna was again detained and after an abortive escape attempt was clapped in irons. Thus relieved of his prisoner, Captain Brown sailed south to defend the Texas coast.

On July 4, 1836, the Invincible went to assist another Texas naval vessel, Brutus, which was blockaded inside the port of Matagorda by the Mexican cruiser Vencedor del Alamo (English:"Victor of the Alamo"). After the Invincible approached the blockading vessel, the Vencedor withdrew without firing a shot. Invincible nevertheless chased her as far as Veracruz.