Brown was a naval officer in the Texas Navy, commanding the Schooner Invincible from March 1836 through March 1837. The Invincible, under Brown’s command, patrolled the Gulf to prevent Mexican ships from supplying Santa Anna’s army. He sank the Mexican brig Bravo before capturing the US Brig Pocket, seizing its cargo and taking the prize to Galveston. Brown believed that the Pocket was illegally running arms and supplies in support of the Mexican Army. When he sailed to New Orleans to resupply his ship, he was arrested for piracy by US authorities. Thomas Toby of New Orleans intervened on Brown’s behalf, and eventually Texas and the US reached an agreement and Brown and the Invincible were released. Brown continued patrolling the Gulf, participating in blockades of Veracruz and Matamoros, before being ordered to New York for repairs. Brown returned to Galveston in March 1837, where he was relieved of command. Circumstances of his life after his tour are unknown. His brother William served as the commander of the Schooner Liberty.
