Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-19 00:00:00

THE CHARGE AGAINST THE CAPTIAN AND
OFFICERS OF THE MARTHA. JANE.

This case assumes a deeper interest as it proceeds.
Yesterday the court was crowded beyond all precedent, by
most respectable persons, and amongst these were a
number of well-dressed females, who seemed to take much
interest in the proceedings. The prisoners appeared still
more anxious than on the former days. They were
defended by Mr. Aspinall and Mr. Snowball, Mr. Clough
and Mr. Kehoe conducted the prosecution. Amongst the
persons present in court was the cousin of deceased, wh is
the captain of a ship arrived in port yesterday, but who
knew nothing of the affair until he read the detailsin the
NORTHERN TIMES of Thursday. He said the deceased
was about eight years on board a man-of-war, and
was as good a sailor as ever floated, but for the
last three years he used some times to be a little
light in the head. The first witness called was Francis
Doyle, a native of London, who said, I am a Beaman,
and shipped in the Martha Jane in Barbacloes, on the 4th
May and joined on the 6th. I knew Andrew Row ; the
prisoners were the captain, mate and second mete of he
ship. When Rose came he told the mate he w,s at Bar-
b/does for his clothes. Next morning I heard R)se call
out " Oh, Jesus Christ." I saw the second and chief
mates beating him with an inch and a-h. alf rope. He told
me he would go ashore and not be so ill-used, He went
into a lighter that night to go ashore, but the mates
brought him beck and said they would give hi3a a d---1
roping. He did go ashore at three o'clock on Sunday
morning and the mate followed, and brought him back
with the police and hand bolts on him. He was shackled
down to a ring bolt, and remained there all night. I can't
say who released him. After weighing the anchor, the
deceased was at the wheel, when the captain struck
him across the back with a bolt, and he ran forward,when
the mate knocked him down. The captain lashed him
every day with a hunter's whip, and that continued every
day until a day or two before he died. The captain and
mates beat him every day. The captain ordered him to be
cobbed at the windlass for taking some segar out of the
forecastle. There was a dog named " Watch" •on board,
and he used to bite the man in the legs. The captain set
the dog at him twice, and the dog used to run at him when
the captain was beating him, and would bite him on the
legs and hands. (Here the dog was exhibited.) Saw the
dog tear pieces of flesh off the man's legs and hands. The
witness then detailed how the captain put the dirt in his
mouth, saying, " Come, Rose, that's nice, isn't it ?—you
shall have a bit more." (Great sensation) The witness
also detailed a second scene of the same sort, amid renewed
sensation. The witness also stated how the captain and
1 mates gagged the deceased, as, already deposed
to by several witnesses, and published in our impression of
yesterday. He said when the deceased was in the water
cask he called to me that he was smothering, and asked
for something to eat. There was a smell and steam coming
out of the bung hole. I gave him some pea soup through
the bung-hole, and the mate came forward and said, who
the h— has given him the pea soup—l should like to
know that ? He detailed about the attempt made by the
captain to hang the deceased. He got blue in the face,
his eyes glared, and froth came out of his mouth. He
was kept that way for two minutes, and when he was let
down he fell, and lay for five minutes on the deck before
he became sensible. He got bread and water and rice to
eat. I saw him go aloft entirely naked, but can't say who
ordered him. He had a bucket of water with him, and the
mate went after him with the whip, and he flogged him
three times running until the blood ran down his back and
legs. He let the bucket fall, and fell himself into the
main sail, and I caught him. I saw him dead on deck,
and that was the day before we came to Cape Clear. His
neck and back were black and blue. All oeer his
legs and arms there were corrupted seree, and blood
ruuning from the wounds. On one occasion he showed
me his leg where the dog bit him, and it was corrupted,
and I squeezed several maggots out of it, and then my
stomach turned, and I went away—(sensation). He ap-
peared a strong healthy man—the most so on board when
he came on board. The cook came and said, Rattling
Jack is dead," and then witness detailed how the body was
flung overboard. Cross-examined by Mr. Aspinall:—l
believe he was in good health when he came on board--I
swear I believe so. The men did not refuse at first to
have him in the forecastle, but about ten days they ob-
jected, but I don't know if they objected before. He
dirtied the forecastle and took the men's clothes to clean
it. Never saw any one beat him, except the prisoners,
only when the captain told us to cobb him. He took the
sugar, and we all complained of him for it. That was
after the prisoners had begun to ill-use him, but he was not
in a bad state at the time. We told the captain it was not our
duty to cobb him, when he said "go and do as you are told."
We gave him two or three slaps of the flat of the hand-
saw on the back, but not to hurt him. I don't remember
Ris ......nnty the Cabin dinner. The crew only put hint
out of the forecastle once. Nathaniel Martin, the cook of
the ship, was next examined, and, after some preliminary
evidence, he said the deceased appeared strong, but was a
little pale, and had his hair closely cut. He went on
shore because the second mato " hammered" him—beat
him with a rope and kicked him. The witness gave
general evidence of the flogging of deceased every day by
the prisoners, and corroborated the general evidence of
the other witnesses, and confirmed the disgusting pro-
ceedings spoken of by the other witnesses, which the
all
covered
veearredd severalwth
sores of theaumd eln askuse
used
him
to
captain had pursued towards the deceased, and also spoke
so dirty ? and he said he did not
about the gagging and the water cask. He said the
deceased was allowed a pound of bread daily, and I gave
cwdolhemad ,et
engdda
give
vt
.teoh
him,eh mm
more,nw
hGern
know.
ricemoww.he
e Hb became sometimes.
awm was
es
s7ll:es hott'ghostt t
yotov
England,
may
:von
have
vases
and
ds
ohim.nsomething
thenth Theituh ge
give him hot water to wash them, and the morning he
deceased one time said he would make the mate sweat for
Captain said Seymour, do you hear what this fellow says,
to pay for it. Cross-examined by Mr. Aspinall : The
Captain treated the crew well enough. The deceased was
turned out of the forecastle for his filthines3. I saw the
affair of the handsaw. Some of the crew need to chase
deceased about and. some of them used to give him a kick
now and then, and I gave him a kick onee or twice ; it
was for using their clothes to clean the dirt. The chief
mate gave him some clothes, and the captain gave him a
drawers. The things were dirtied and thrown overboard:
He complained of hi 3 head. He used sometimes to pray
for all hands, and then for his father and mother, and all
his friends, and then he would sing hymns sometimes. I
advised him to run away after he got the first
hammering, if he could not do his work. When
I sung out Ratting Jack is dead, Groves said
don't you touch him, as we must hold an inquest on him.
He was a large eater—more than an ordinary man. The
witness is a black man and was very intelligent. Isaac
Braithwaite (a coloured man also), who was steward of the
ship, and who was examined on the first day of the
inquiry, was again called and examined, and his evidence
was the same as given by him already, and fully bore out
the evidence of the other witnesses. The deceased, he
said, was all covered with running sores, and was black and
bine all over the body. The witness was cross-examined
by Mr. Aspinall, and he said he heard he was in jail, but
did not know it. Did not hear he slept out in the fields
before he came to the ship. He appeared in good health
when he came on board. Thomas Hayes corroborated the
above evidence, and at seven o'clock the inquiry was
adjourned to two this day.

GAS.—Charles Roome, Eeq., Prcaident of the Man-
hattan Gas Light Co.; proposes to sail shortly for Europe,
for the general purpose of examining personally the con-
dition of the gas manufacture there, and ascertaining if
any improvements have been made which can be ad-
vantageously introduced here. The Mirror says a special
and prominent object of his mission is to arrange some
uniform methods of experimenting on the value of gas
coals, and the illuminating power of the gases produced
from them—a want of which has hitherto been a source
of great annoyance.—New York Journal of Commerce.
STABBING IN CHITRGTI.—An extraordinary affair occurred
at the village church of Knighton, near Leicester, on Sun-
day morning, when Mr. John Peck, the schoolmaster of the
national school, was stabbed by one of the Sunday scholars.
Soon after the service began, the master observed one of the
scholars, named Thomas Rodwell, sitting on a seat, con-
trary to the rules of the school. He was ordered by the
master to take his proper plice, but refused, and drew a
knife from his pocket, which he opened. Mr. Peck then
took the boy by the collar to remove him to his proper
flsocourli ensue], in the
together. While
the master in the front
te coursethey
e w,
eworfeh
which
ne t
thhleaeyd
scholar
teel resisted,
talab nbudel
of his right leg, and inflicted a wound at least half an inch
deep. The knife closed partly on ti;s own hand, and cut it
rather severely. Rod well, who is only thirteen years old,
was brought before Mr. Paget, a county magistrate, on
Monday morning, when a medical certificate was handed
in that the master,. although not in any great danger,
would be unable to appear for a fortnight. The boy was
remanded.
"A NOVEL Irrssratin.—A new and very ingenious inkstand has
been submitted to our notice; by a simple but ingenious contrivance,
the ink is always kept clear and flatd."—Northampton Mercury,_
Sold at Is 8d 2s 6d, and 3s 6d each.—Advt,
CASH AND DEED BOXES.—The next important thing to the posses-
sion of cash is, how (when you have got it) to keep it safely, either in
the counting-house or at home. The same remarks apply to deeds
and other valuable documents. We have seen a large and varied
stock of both these desirable articles, manufactured expressly for Mr.
"
E. T. Hall, of South John-street, that challenge attention. These
boxes are made on new and admired principles, and possess patent
bets, which defy the ingenuity of any ,pick-lock" in the world to
open, except with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitors, and
others, these new safes, on a small scale, must prove valuable indeed.
—Northern Daily Times, 21st May, 1857.

The papers to band publish-the in ugural address
to the peopld. of Kansas The address is quite
lengthy. The••most striking passage is that in
which the Governor arguesin favour of submitting
the State Constitution to the people for ratifica-
tion, after it is framed by the Convention. In this
connection he says ' •
The slavery question, in view of a decision- of that tri-
bunal, is a peculiar question, to be decided by the people
of the State, in the formation of their State government,
and therefore it must be placed beyond all doubt or con-
troversy, by a vote upon the ratification or rejection of
the Constitution submitted for their decision., And why
should there be any difficulty on such a question ? Who
can wish to withhold from the people their solemn right
of decision, by themselves, upon their own form of govern.
ment ? If they ratify the acts of their delegates by their
vote in favour of the Constitution, not only will no injury
have accrued, but a vast benefit, by giving the high autho-
rity of their direct sanction to the obligation of the Con-
stitution, and the sacred duty of every citizen to see its
provisions carried into effect. Whereas, if the Constitu-
tion framed by the delegates is rejected by the people,
which is the only other alternative. such an act would con-
stitute in itself the most conclusive reason why their voice
should be heard on the subject, or otherwise they would
have been subjected to a government repugnant to the
will of the people, which is only another form of despotism
or monarchy, in reality truly, if not in name. As a firm
believer throughout my life of the great doctrine of State
rights and popular sovereignty, and of the fundamental
principles of democracy, I believe that to impose a State
constitution upon the people of any State, unless it had
been previously ratified by their vote, is a violation of
every principle of justice, of every obligation of duty, of
every dictate of honour and conscience, and of the consti.
tution of the Union itself, as expounded by the supreme
tribunal of the Union. It is true that the constitution of
a State, as has been the case with many, may be silent on
the subject of slavery ; in which case, in the absence of
any.prohibition of the legislative power of a State granted
In one general comprehensive clause, the legislature of the
State, elected by the people, might act on the question of
slavery, as they have done in other States, and especially
by prohibiting the introduction of slaves. If the conven-
tion, in framing the constitution of Kansas, should think
proper to pursue this course, their legal and constitu-
tional power to do so, with the sanction of the ratification
of the people of their act, would be beyond all controversy.
I must not be regarded as advising for or against this
course, but intend to treat the people of Kansas with per-
fect candour in all my acts. It is due alike to them and
Myself to declare in advance what, in my judgment, would
be the effect of such a proceeding.
The Burdell investigation had been resumed,
when several witnesses were produced on behalf
of the heirs, to impeach the testimony of Miss
Augusta Cunningham, in relation to the doctor
being in NQW York a few days nrevious to his
marriage.

On the sth instant, Judge Mitchell granted an
order to show cause why Auguste Perot, one of the
French railroad defrauders, should not be dis
charged from arrest.
Advices from the city of Mexico to the 16th ult.
have been received. The report of the execution
of Gen. Crabb and his party was confirmed. The
Presidential election had taken place, and returns
received were favourable to the re 'election of
Cothonfort.

NEW YORK MARKETS, JUNE 6th.
BREADSTUFFEL—The market for State and Western flour is firmer,
With a good trade demand, and we quote an advance of 5 cents per
brl in good State ; inferior qualities are still offering, which are slow
of sale at the lowest quoted rates. The sales are 9,000 brie at 6 dole
60 cents to 6 dots 85 cents for common to good State; 6 dols 90 cents
to 7 dols 10 cents for extra State ; 6 dole 65 cents to 6 dols 90 cents
sor
cOMM:11 to good Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, lowa, &c., and 6 dole
9
cents to 8 dols 50 cents for extra do. Southern flour is firm an in
good demand, with sales of 1,650 brls at 7 dols 40 cents to 7 dole
75 coats for mixed to good brands of Baltimore, Alexandria;
Georgetown, Fredericksburg, &c., 7 dole 80 cents to 9 dole for
favourite, fancy, and extra brands do.; 8 dols for brandywine ;
9 dole for Petersburg, at which rate Rislto is in demand for
import; 8 dols to 8 dots 50 cents for Ric :mond country; 8 dole
60 cents to 9 dols 25 cents for Richmond city; Gailego is held
at 9 dots 50 cents. Canadian flour is firm and in fair request, with
sales of 600 brls at 7 dots 75 cents t 3 7 dols 85 cents for superfine, and
7 dole 10 cents to 8 dols 70 cents for the range of extra brands.
COTTON.—The sales to-day reach 1,500 or 2,000 bales; most of the
brokers quote mid. Uplands at 132 c, and mid. New Orleans at 14c,
but it is not easy to buy at there figures.
Paovisioxs.—Pork is 5c to 10c lower; the sales are 575 brls at
23 dols 70e to 23 dohs 75c for mess, and 19 dole 25c for prime.
Prime mess pork is nominal, at 20 dole to 20 dole 25c, and clear at
25 dots 75c to 26 dole. Beef is steady, with sales of 310 brls at
14 dols to 15 dole for country mess, 12 dols to 12 dole 50c for railroad
Mass, and 16 dole 50c to 17 dole for repacked Western. Prime mess
beef heavy and inactive ; we quote the range at 28 dole to 31 dole;
Beef hams are heavy, and may be quoted at 23 dols 25c to 23 dols 50c.
Bacon is scarce and nominal ; small sales of Western smoked sides
are making at 131 c. Cat moats are dull "and heavy, -with sales of
150 casks, at lie to 1 lic for hams, and 10c.. for shoulders. Lard is
heavy, and it is difficult to realize our extreme quotations ; the sales
are 1,200 tree and bids at 14 lc to 141 c. Batter is dull and heavy.
Cheese is selling slowly at 7e to 11e, according to quality.
FREIGHTS.—To Liverpool, 200 bales Sea Island cotton 4s. 6i. ;
150 tree beef supposed at Is. To London, 100 brls oil, and 300 tree
rice 155,; 750 tons oil cake at 12s. 6d.; and 400 brie rosin at Is. 61.
To Marseilles, rum 4c and rosin at 70.

Yesterday, John Shattock, who was committed for trial
on Tuesday, on a charge of forgery, was again brought up
before Mr. Mansfield , on a charge c f having uttered a
forged bill, for £35 10s, purporting to bear the acceptance
of Richard Coleman, builder, of Rock Ferry, well knowing
the same to be a forgery. The bill was dated 19th March,
at two months. Mr. Clough conducted the prosecution, and
Mr Bluck defended the prisoner. The first witness was—
Mr. Henry de Mediae.examined--I am an attorney in
London. . I received this bill and letter from the prisoner on
the 21st March, (letter read). I advanced £2O to his banker
on the bill. The bill was dishonoured. was his London
agent. Cross-examined by Mr. Bluck: Is that bill paid?.
Wtiness : It was, in this way ; I allowed him £2O in his
account for it, but that sum was afterwards erased at his
solicitation, in erder to meet the bill when due. I had
actually taken the money at one time for it, but it was
transferred afterwards for the purpose of the bill. This
(an account) is an account of cash between us. What is
the item of " £2O cash lent you ?" (the prisoner). That
was the £2O that I advanced on the bill. Was there a
balance due to Mr. Shattock at the time this account was
made out? Yes, there wa3 a balance due to him, and I
paid it to his bankers for him. I paid £6O to the bankers
for him, but if that account ha I stayed over, the amount
would be only £4O. In one of the letters, the terms "on
the usual footing," are used. What do these terms mean?
The meaning is, that if he were not successful with his
cases, I would only charge him the costs out of pocket.
Mr. Bluck requested Mr. G-arnett to read the agreement,
and it appeared that the clear profits were to be divided
between them. Mr. Bluck (to witness) : Is not a divi-
sion of the profits mutually, a partnership ? No, it is
not. Don't you knew as an attorney that it is? Cer-.
tainly not in this ease. When did you first ascertain
that the bill was a forgery ? On hearing from Mr. Cole-
man that it was so, I discovered it. Mr. Shattock said there
was authority to have the bill accepted. Were you served
with a summons to account in this case? No. Was your
clerk ? No, there was no summons at all in the ease. Ido
not know whose handwriting the acceptance on the Ern is.
When did you think of this prosecution first? Well, if
Mr. Shattock had acted properly, and acknowledged his
error, in all prob Tbility I would not have proceeded at all,
but he persisted in it, and challenged me to it. In reply
to Mr. Clough, the witness said there was a balance of
about £2OO due to him. Mr. Richard Coleman, builder, of
Rock Ferry examined : I see this bill. I did not sign my
name to it, I did not, give any authority to any one to do
so for me. I know nothing whatever about tli
Richard Coleman, jun., said he had two bills from Mr.
Shattock. Those were for rant and work done for him.
He'Paid them. Cross-examined by Mr. Bluck : Did you
ever sign a bill for your father ? No. Do you transact
business for your father ? Yes ; but do not sign bills for
him. (Here a letter, written by the prisoner to Mr. de
Medine, and dated 30th May, was put in and read. The
purport of it was that Mr. Coleman's son, by-the consent
of his father, had accepted the bill for his accommodation,
and that he would not now deny it. He alluded to some
threats that were held out to him, but he repudiated the
threats, and said it would not prevent him from doing
justice to his family) This closed the evidence
for the prosecution, Mr. Bluck : I now submit
that there is no forgery proved in this case. Mr.
Clough : We do not go for the forgery ; we proceed fcr the
uttering of the bill, knowing it to be forged Mr. Bluck
‘Why, I thought it was a charge of forgery I had to defend,
but when they can't sustain that, they turn round and
proceed for the uttering, It would appear (he said) that
the letter just read was the real cause of Mr. de Medine
proceeding in the case, and when the prisoner wrote that
letter he was certainly under the impression that he was
acting correctly all through, or would he write so to a man
in whose power he was ? A great many transactions had
taken place between the parties, and a fair division of the
profits, in his (Mr. B 's) mind, constituted a partnership
between them. The bill was dated the 19th of March, at two
months, so that it would fall due on the 22nd of May, and yet
Mr. De Medine. takes no steps until about a fortnight ago,
and if the bill was a forgery, he must have ascertained it
between the 22nd of May and the time he commenced
proceedings. He asked the court to allow him to put one
or two questions t) the younger Coleman, and being per-
mitted, he asked him if he were not on very intimate terms
with Mr. Shattock, and he admitted he was. Did
you ever give him any bills ? No. Has he paid
you large sums of money ? Yes, he has paid us
' a good deal for rent and work. Mr. Bluck: Did you
ever give h;rn any bills? I did not. Mr. Bluck
said, seeing this case cannot stop here, I think I shall not
offer any further observations, but I cannot help saying
that it is one of the most cruel prosecutions I ever heard
of. The prisoner was then committed for trial.