Charles E. Hawkins

Charles Edward Hawkins
Born	1802 New York
Died	1837 New Orleans, Louisiana
Allegiance	United States  Mexico Mexico  Republic of Texas
Service/branch	United States Navy (1818-1826)  Mexican Navy (1826-1828)  Texas Navy (1836-1837)
Rank	Midshipman (USN) Captain (Mexican Navy) Commodore (Texas Navy)
Commands held	Texas Navy

Charles Edward Hawkins (1802 - February 11, 1837) was the Commander of the First Texas Navy during the Texan Revolution.

Hawkins was born in 1802 in New York and he joined the United States Navy as a Midshipman.

He served on board the frigates Constitution, Constellation and Guerriere. After serving along the Atlantic seaboard, Hawkins was transferred to the U.S. West Indies Squadron which was commanded by Commodore David Porter on a mission to suppress piracy. In 1826, When Commodore Porter was court-martialed for invading a town in Puerto Rico without authorization, Porter resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy and joined the Mexican Navy and Hawkins followed his mentor in entering Mexican service.

As captain of the Hermón, he saw action in the Gulf of Mexico against the Spanish fleet which was opposing Mexico's struggle for independence. Hawkins resigned in 1828 and returned to the United States.

While living in New Orleans, Hawkins became acquainted with Mexican Colonel Jose Antonio Mexia who was opposed to Mexican strongman Antonio López de Santa Anna on his 1835 Tampico Expedition. The expedition failed and in 1836, Hawkins approached the governor of Mexican Texas, Henry Smith, supporting Texas' independence and offering to serve in the new Texas Navy. Smith was impressed with Hawkins' credentials and sent him to New Orleans purchase the United States Revenue cutter Ingham. Hawkins did and took command of the newly acquired schooner naming it the Independence.

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