Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-05-05
From tie New Orleans Fe"a
"a visit - -1stsamps s-..Lsttsr from Hon.
Zadock Pratt

Editors of he Data While in Havana
conceived a strange desire to visit the
rallcn, Young Cuban, Estrampes. II was
on the day before the execution, which,
according to the rules that prev a'l in Cuba
must always be spent BY the prisoner in the
chapel. Estrampes was then engaged IN
the chapel in the Punts prison. To ths
place proceeded and announcing myself
as an American from New York, who d.
sired to see Estrampes, was courteously
rece lived, and passage was opened for me
through the crowd assembled around the
gate and on the corridors.
entered, and presently tall, rod look
ing Young man, about twenty tive or TX
wears old, came out and introduced himself
ss the brother OF Estrampes, and said ne
would be pleasedto introduce me 10 his
brother. He then led me through passage,
in which some two hundred soldiers, wi b
6yed B. yonete, were drawn up. and we
halted before a door, around which several
men were si,ting; they arose and offered
re a chair. Presently Is4w two priests
G ,mino out of the door. which was that OF
tie chapel. and Estrampes' brother entered
il, disappeared for moment. but soon re-
turned, and led me within the chapel and
introduced me 10 the unfortunate CON-
demned.
He greeted me very cordially and grace
fully there were no manacles of any kind
on him. He was smoking and eourteously
rave me a cigar, which lighted fram his.
I then remarked [ would like to have one
asa memento from him. lie then gave me
a long cigar, which now have and shall
retain as long as il will last. He then re-
marked, in very COED English, that he had
we'd tweniy-three years an honest man /;
that he nnv-r imm;tted dishonest act in
his life. He said that the brother of some
one " hon he named. but did no, catch
the name, had betrayed him; that it was
hard in one SO young to die in such man
ner. Blu, he should endeayor to meet his ia .
like a man.
Estrampes had tall manly figure, and
his manner was easy, dgnified and grace
ful.
remarked that | deeply sympath sed
with him, and grieved to see yourg man
Of such promise in his position, but that |
was persuaded his conduct, whatever il had
been, had the approval of his own cons fence
and hon ", and such was all brave man
required TO meet his fate with heroism.
then offered him my hand, which ne re-
eeived with much emotion, and dropping a
tear as ne uttered the words, bid me- adieu,
thanking me very sincerity and earnestly
for the visit paid him, and the interest |
manifested in bic fate. LEFT the Chapel with
feelings of poignant sorrow for the gallant
young Cuban, and STROBE by the guard with
no very agreeable or annie 4ble emoti ons.
r The next day-being the h-st Of April
at z A. NJ, Invent To the parade ground. in
I On, o the prison, where the garrote was
exhibited to vast mul,itude-on which
Estrampes heroically met his fate, uttering
as his last words, death to tyrrn,s. Live
Cuba Live Liberty - cries which were
quickly suppressed BY the death embrace
Of that frightful instrument, the screws OF
which were worked BY a negro.
Right or wrong-whether impelled by
true patriotism or misguided zeaf-Estram-
pee met his fate in manner which should
have been worthy Of the abIest OF tn, Sc
m ,rtyrs who have offered up their lives in
Inc hottest OF causes.
Your fr end, T. PRATT.