Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-16

the public who with the an
LIMO an acknowledgement the truth Of the
On my arrival at this city, from Key West, on the
xo.n 'une, an looking the news papers found
e'hops otner accounts of this murder, the following
rom the savannah Republican of the 9Th June,
winch hed oeen extensively copied into other prints.
IT appears that these gentlemen had long been at
sarehce' arising from illicit inteicoure between
Mchae and the wife of Capt. Hawkins. Previous to
a, o'sSovery of this, Capt. Hawkins had employed
WI. nSNae as counsel in some very important law
cases Then and still pending in the courts at Key
Wes',EAfter Capt. H.. discovered McRae's intimacy
Win MS wife, duel ensued, which resulted (after
the exchange of four shots) in McRae's receiving
ball in his thigh. Capt H. then left Key West for
Niexico anu had been absent for four months, when
on ms return he learnt his wife had been sent her
iamliy by the trends Of Capt H. on account Of the
renewal of her intercourse with McRao, and that
nickae had stated publicly this improper conduct Mrs
~ Mckae had further aggravated Hawkins, by
.eecNi'g lee Az appearing as counsel for the OPP
Ronen's OF Hawkins, in the pending law SUITS after
has.g been freed by Hawkins, and IN possession of
al the facts necessary in behalf of III.
nus lncensed, Hawkins, in unfortunate mo-
men. loaded double barrel gun with buck shot, aud
% w.. " si passed the window where Hawkins
was he fired both Larrels. McRae fell and ex-
P"ed lew hours utter. Hawkins immediately
surrendered himself up to the civil authority. la
consequence of the great excitement prevailing at
hey west, the Marshal thought proper to carry tho
prisoner to st Augustine. lie was placed on board
the Revenue Gutter Marion, Captain Jackson, under
charge OF the Marshal, who delivered him 10 the
proper authorities of ST. Augustine. lie will be re-
turned 10 hey West III November next, TO stand his
trial for murder ~
The alleged provocation then for the commission
of this outrage is. viz:
Frst' Illicit intercourse with Hawkins wife
secondly Appearing counsel for the opponents of
hawkins, In law SUIT, after having been feed by
H. aud IN possession of all the facts necessary in his
behalf. " ~
The unpleasant, the painful part ofny duty mus,
now be performed. have myself a family know
the value of counubial felicity, | appreciate il as
.hs"iY as any man. Any attempt to disturb i'll
.er,upt Inc happiness OF family, and particularly
10 oCsuoy the happiness of husband IN the manner
Charged against the deceased would be abhorrent 10
my feelings, and would doubtless excite the ndiona-
ton oil the public at large. But the pubic must
learn that with Hawkins and his wife, no happiness
ever existed, and consequently none could be de-
stroycd. The wife Of Ii. was a woman of disrepu-
table character at Nassau, New Provdrnce and i,
is notorious that previous to their marriage. their
intimacy was OF u constant and disreputable nature
II. brought her to the i'll fated Isle of Key West
where her improper nduct and criminal intercourse
with more than one, (before the arrival of the de-
ceased at the islandD was the subject of general
conversation The deceased was introduced by H.
to his wife, and at this their first meeting have
been informed by gentleman upon the island indeli-
cate advances were made her part which were
unattended 10, or resisted. Notwithstanding the
loose character of Mrs. ". she is a woman of con-
siderable smartness. OF unsurpassed art aud cunning
and to men generally, offascinating manners. Nor
tilted at her defeat, and sHpposing the deceased
would speak Of the criminal effort which had becn |
made, she told her husband that the deceased had
oeen rude TO her, and had attempted violation of
her purity. II. challenged him, it was accepted
the duel took place and resulted is stated in
ne Savannah article. THIS part of the conduct of
Mrs H. may seem unaccounable, but at Kew West
1t IS well understood. 1t is believed there that her
motive for bringing about this duel was the hope
Iat H. might fall IN the conflict. After the duel H.
lett the island for Vera Cruz. During his absence
and whilst the deceased confined to his bed by
the wound he had received, she addressed him sever
al notes and sent him many verbal messages solicit
mug, urging, hlm to visit her, permit her to Wis
IL hl'n. The notes were Intercepted by Hs friends.
he deceased resisted every application that was
made up to this timei but she was perseverinply
wicked and determined to make Il still stronger ef.
Tort She came Mt night into the room where he
was confined and 1t is said that if ever any mpro-
per intercourse took place it was then and not until
Lhen. The friends OF H. protested TO believe before
me intercepted notes came into their hands, that The
character of Mrs. H. had been basely misrepressn.
led, that she lady of unstaned virtue but now
change OF sentiment TOOK place. they were convinced
Of the atrocity of her Character and her husbands
brother, George 5. Hawkins conducted her 70 Nae
sau, IN T. where he left her. This is the history of
tins part OF the alleged provocation as far "a INV
knowledge extends Ny information Of the charac |
Ter OF Mrs. H. and of the whole treresciion is de.
rived from gentlemen of unduestionnble yeracitv NJ
Key w est. Although resided on the Island ncar |
~ i've months, was not osfortunate as to be in |
troOuced to Nj re. Il. but saw her at dinner tnhle
"" al oCCustpn "here there was a large party of
gentleman, think she the only femalel and her
conduct even there, was glaringy unbecominp.-
do not wish the public to understand me- as i1sti.
iylng the conduct ofmy late brother in this affair
h,s "ouIu III ACCORD WIN my views and feelings |
and the profession which make, but in Justice to his
memory these extenuating circumstances should be
promulged. ~
The second reason assigned for the Preparation
of this awful deed, as it has come to the nubj;c |
through the Savannah channel will not be noticsd.
short statement Of facts will satisfactorily Tebrt
this foul charge.
Hawkins commanded the Mexican brig Of vor
Hermon, which vessel captured and brought into
Key West, the Spanish brig Amalia with valuable
cargo The Collector Of the Customs seized the
vessel for violation Of national law but subse-
queuty released her. The officers Of the u S. rev.
enue cutter Marion then lbellcd her for slavapo.
Hawkins employed the deceased to answer the libel
and appear as his COUNSEL he did So and succeeded
IN getting the vessel cargo restored to hin and an
order by The Court for the lbellants to pay all the
costs OF the prosecution. In taxing the bl ofcosts
hfa fan arha II e