The Mate having also made a few
admissions, they and the preceding depositions were shown to Captain
Semmes, who, after sending for Captain Pike, put the following questions
to him--viz.:
What is your name?--Samuel B. Pike.
Where were you born?--At Newbury Port, Massachusetts.
Are you a naturalized citizen of any foreign government?--I am not.
How long have you been in command of the Martaban, formerly the Texan
Star?--Two years and a half.
In what part of the United States was the Texan Star registered?--She
was built and registered at Boston.
Has she but one register in America?--There was a change of owners, and
she has had two American registers.
Who were the owners under the last American register?--John Alkerm,
Samuel Stevens, George L. Rogers, and myself.
What proportion of the ship did you own?--One-sixth.
When did you sail from the last port in the United States?--A year ago
last July.
It is stated in the present British register that Mr. Mark Currie is the
owner?--That is as I understand it.
Do you state upon your oath that the sale was a _bona fide_ sale?--I do
not state that.
Do you not know that it was intended merely as a cover to prevent
capture?--Yes, I do know it.
This closed the matter; nothing more was necessary. Here was admission
enough to destroy any legal doubt that might have arisen from the
destruction of a vessel under the English flag.
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