Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-30

customs, they violate The law, not whilst
they remain in port, but before they leave
our waters. Nothing is easier, when the
prwateer Is completely repaired and rca-
dy Tor sea, than 10 send both men and
guns, II they need them, TO Barra,aria, or
any other convenient place where tie
Privaiecr repairs To, and takes them on
board, anu sails on a cruise, with an aug
menled fOrce, TO commit hOsiiljies a.
gainst the persons aud property of a ma
lion with whom the United States are a,
peace.
It's universally reported and believed
many OF these vessels (under the Mexi,.an
flag, and commissioned by Aury) are own.
Ell by persons resident here, and cn;ox-
ing the privileges of American citizens
Al The end of the cruise the same farce
Is played over again and il NAV viii,
truth be said, that each cruise commence
es and ends at This port. Attempts have
been made 10 convict them, but as yet
Without success. They easily exculpate
themselves. Witnesses, on their part
are never difficult TO procure, in place
where there are IL vast number of people
with whom The soiemnity of an oath has
n'ue weight. This you will believe. when
l add, that two Witnesses we're produced
Ill Inc United States district court, i'm the
month OF May last, who swore that Gal.
vezton was considerable and well built
town, with coffee houses, shops, &c. and
that the then constituted authorities
(Durler, Ducoing, Espanol, Gel had been
appointed and commissioned bv Anrv
ihe testimony of the two latter. as T. eli
as many other persons now here. will full
ly refule that faIsehood.
| hope you will be pleased to pive me
some instructions relative to the cr,Iizers
that may act IN way TO meet the views
OF the executive.
have the honor 10 be, &c.
y, (Signed0 BEV. CHEW.
To the hon. Wm. II. Crawford,
Secretary Of tie Treasury.
aGd't'ondt testimony taken in sundry causes
depc'idins' 'n tie United States district
court. for the Louisiana district, on behaf
Mc cMted States, against SuaCiry ueSsek
and cdTgoeS from GdiueSton.
John DucoinS being duly sworn, the
ueponent further says, that the establish
,lehi at Galveston was composed, as be-
lore stated, by persons ofvarious nations.
ana That The sole view and object of the
persons comprising the said establishment
was 10 capture Spanish vessels and pro-
iOC0 vi dlIlllD Tie itNO-
luton III Mexico, or that of any other of
the Spanish rcvolied colonies, as far as
this deponent knows and believes. And
the deponent says that during the time
he exercised the functions of Judge al
Galveston, he had no knowledge or be-
lief In tile existence of a Mexican republic
OF other government, independent of the
Spanish government.
The deponent further saws, that the
government established on the 18th dav
oi April had no conneXlon whatever with
any other government, state or people
That Galveston stands on small island.
or rather small sand bar, few miles
long and broad, and was desart when
taken possession of by Aury, known by
The name of Snake Island, without port
or liarbor, and no building except few
huts or cabins, probably three or four.
made of boards and sails of vessels.
And further this deponent saith not.
JOHN DUCOING.
Sworn and subscribed before me, this
9TH day of October, 1917.
(Signed) r. CLAIBORNE, Clerk.
Mr.. Raymond Espanol being duly sworr. saws.
that on the 10th day OF March last, this depo-
neDt went from this place to Galveston in The
province OF Texas, IN the brig Decorator for
The purpose OF dIsposIug Ofmerchandise Auy
was acting as Governor. This deponent ac-
copied OF no Office OF employment under Aury
nor had he any acquaintance with him !; lie ne
yer took any oath of allegiance to Aury that
on the 9Th of April last, Aury and Gen. Nina
abandoned Galvezton, burned the huts and ca
blnS there were standing, ~ left no person au
thorlsed by them or otherwise, TO form a govern
ment. After eirdeparture, TO wit on tile 10Th
OF April, lSl7, the persons then at Galveston
consisted OF about thirty or forty in number,
including sailors, &c. six Of whom assembled
on board OF the schooner CaTmeiita, BELONGING
to Dir. bartholomew Lafon, late ofNew or.
leans, and engineer i'll the service of the u.
States,) TO wit: Durier, John Ducoing, Pere
neau, SAID Il. Lafon, Rousselin, and tins depo.
neDt, who formed the new government The
proceedings were drawn up aud signed bv
those present, by which certain persons aforc-
SAID took upon themselves offices, namely:
Durier, Governor.
John Ducoing, Judge Of .fdB,iraHy
This deponent, Notary Public Il Secretdry.
Pereneau, Mjor de Place.
ROusseIin, Collector.
At the meeting OH the 18th April, there was
30 paper or document produced, autboriSing
tne same, or giving them power 10 form gov
eminent
he deponent further says, tbal the sole OBJ
ject and view of the persons comprising The
establishment at GaIvezlon was, as far as lie
knows and believes, To capture Spanish pro-
pcrty under what they called the Mexican
flag, hui without an idea of aiding the reyolu-
ton IN Mexico, OF that Of any of the Spanish
revOIted colonies and further, that during
the time that this depOneut acted as notary
pnblic ana secretary TO the new government
at Galvczrom, he had 10. knowledge or belief
i'll the existence of a Mcxjcau republic, or any
government ia Mexico, independent OF the
Spanish authorities; further, The deponent
says, that the new government established ar |
Gal, eztou on the 18th of April, 1917, had no
conneXIon whatever with any other nation.
state or people.
That GalVezton stands on small said bar.
a few miles long and broad, aud was desert |
when taken possession of by Aury- known by |
the name of Snake Island without a port OF |
harbOr, and no buildings except three or fnnr |