Samuel Rhoads Fisher to the Provisional Government, December, 1835 - Page 2
to anchor off the Pilot House at the pass, and
having sent a boat on shore ascertained that the
Mexican vessel had been driven by the North winds
to Sea but that the American vessel was in possession
of a prize crew. The volunteers to a number of about
100 were immediately landed under my command.
When we augmented our Force to 25 besides
Captain Hurd and his crew. I think & in number
on presenting ourselves the prize master lieutenant
of the Bravo as he states and not the Montezuma,
delivered his sword and surrendered himself and
men as prisoners of War. [T]he Total number
was 12, one of whom from exposure consequent
from drunkenness] has since died.
I cannot refrain from observing that it appears
to me, the Capture of the Hannah Elizabeth by the
boat of the Bravo was the result of the most
Shameful Cowardice, and here furnish you a
a statement given me by Don Matteos. He said
the Hannah Elizabeth had on board 15 Americans
and 5 Mexicans, besides a woman, 3 cannon upon
deck mounted by 2 sixes and a four, 18 Kegs of
powder, 2 Boxes of muskets, rifles and other arms
and that about 7 p.m. he boarded her in the breakers
with one boat and 12 men himself included—not a gun
was fired nor the least resistance made, indeed they
had thrown the cannon, powder and arms overboard
a number of the Americans and two of the Mexicans
were taken on board the Bravo—the Mexicans were
J.M.J. Carbajal & Fernando DeLeon.
Sigd S. Rhoads Fisher
A true copy of extracts taken from
the report made by the Honble S Rhoads Fisher
to the Provisional Government
Navy Department
Columbia Decr 10th 1836
John Buchanan
chf clk [chief clerk]
Samuel Rhoads Fisher to the Provisional Government, December, 1835. Mirabeau B. Lamar Papers #278, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.