WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
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relation to the persons who were executed. Here it is, dated May 10, 1843, to the officer of war and marine: [No. 99.] "Texas Sloop of War Austin, "Off Campeachy, May 10, 1843. "Sir: I have the honor to report that I got out of the Mississippi river on the 19th ultimo, and on the 21st commenced carrying out the sentences of the court martial in the cases of the San Antonio mutineers, in February, 1842. Frederick Shepherd, acquitted, pardoned, and released; John W. 'Williams, who was sentenced to receive fifty lashes with the cats, but strongly recommended to mercy; 22d, punished William Barrington with one · hundred lashes with cats; 25th, punished Edward Kenan with one hundred lashes with the cats, and approved the sentence of death on the prisoners Antonio Laudois, marine, James Hudgins, seaman, Isaac Allen, seaman, and William Simpson, corporal of marines, which was carried into execution the next day. April 26, at meridian, by hanging them at the foreyard-latitude 23° 31' north, longtitude 88° 19' 22 west. The bodies were left hanging one how·, when they were lowered on deck. and given to the messes for the purpose of preparing them for interment, and at half past two o'clock their bodies were committed to the deep. In performing this painful duty, I felt myself bound to carry out the sentence of the court, as there was not in the evidence one single palliating circumstance. The Department will doubt- less recollect that a lieutenant was murdered, and two midship- men shot." 1 All these transactions occurred _under the order of suspension and arrest, and after he had seen the proclamation denouncing him as a pirate, as a mutineer, if he went to sea contrar)y.to tbe directions given to him. These are some of the facts connected with that remarkable history. But, sir, there were some glorious achievements. He sailed to Yucatan, and we find the first en- gagement that occurred one of no small interest-one that is calculated to reflect imperishable renown upon its authors. We have heard of the battle of Salamis, and we have heard of Trafalgar. We have heard of our own achievements; but here is one new in the annals of sailorship and soldiership. It took place at the first engagement after the Commodo1·e saw the enemy, on the 30th of April.
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