Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-01-21
From the Boston Ccntinel.
SANGUINARY EXECUTION AT TAM
pICO


A more melancholy narrative than the fol-
lowing is not to be found on record. In"
sufferers appear To have been the victims of
trcachcry Our readers will remember the
account which we gave few weeks ago, of
the expedition of one Gen. .H.Ja. He em-
barked lrom New Orleans with more than 2CO
persons, bound for Texas: without the knowl-
edge of his companions, he shaped his course
for Tampico in Mexico, and, in the night
captured the Fort in the harbor, and attempted
to take the city. The sudden and unexpcct-
ed attack, of course, spread CONSERVATION in
the city: the assailants were resisted as pi-
rates and freebooters, and MeJa was COM
PEELED to make a precipltate retreat, leaving
more than 30 OF his companions III the hands
of the Mexcans. The commander seized a
vessel and made his escape to Texas. Those
Of the party left behind were seized and cast
into dungeons, and the survivors were soon
after all condemned by Court Martial, and
shot as herein described.
1t is said, that while in prison, they recev-
ed the most barbarous treatment, and that
great cruelty was excrted in their final exc
cution. Some of them were shockingly
mangled by the soldiers, before they were
killed, and that after execution, they were
stripped and thrown proniscuously into
large pit dug for the purpose. Eleven OF
them were citizens of the United States, and
the rest were Europeans.
Although they were probably deceived as
to their destination, and betrayed into the en-
terprse against Tampco, yet it is not remark
able that they were dealt with as freebooters.
Such assaiants, would in all communities, be
considered as robbers and murderers, and be
likely to be punished accordingly. What
should we think if such band of foreign ad-
venturers should in The night, seize fortress,
and make an attack on our city? The crime
rests with the commander, and others who
wilfully led the men astray, and we trust
that if Meiia should ever be found in this
country, that he will be held responsible for
the lives of these unfortunate men,, and that
condign punishment will be awarded to him.
/ Meantime our government is also response
bic, for allowing such expeditions to be fitted
out in violation of the peace Of nations, either
for Texas, or any other place. We present
the following appalling details.
FROM TAMPICO.
| TAMPICo, Dec. Ia, lS35.-This morning %
unfortunate victims of treachery and vlainy
part of Meija's expedition, were shot. hand
| you enclosed list of them, with a petition
presented to the Military Commandant, by
several foreigners and MeXicans, drawn up
and signed by the prisoners, but alas, it was
not in his power to meet their solicitations.
| The papers enclosed, were sent to me by
4 the curate who attended them in their las
moments-they requested that they might be
printed in New Orleans.
You have here full view Of the hldeou'
crime committed in the port of New Orleans
/ against the laws of God and of honor, unde
the prctence ofpopulating Texas. A numbe
of distressed and unfortunate beings are en-
trapped and put on board the schr. Mary Jane
Capt. Hall, under the express stipulation AM
| understanding that they are bound for Mata
gorda and Galveston, in Texas, as the clear
ance of said vessel at the custom house i
New Orleans, on the 9th ult. indicates.
!, was further understood that they were to hav
lands on their arrival there, and free pas
sage, and mark the result: such as has bee
the fate of these unfortunate men, was nea
to have been inflicted on every American II
this place. Such enterprises may in New Or
leans, be termed mercantile specnlatlons: the.
are worthy Of such men as enter into them
and do not envy them their feelings.
List of persons shot at Tnmplco at
clock in the morning of the 18th December