The National Register.
London, England, 1816-09-23 00:00:00

StrTt'NEBEIt

Do you think that these alterations would appear in the
book, if the rate were made before the rate was laid, or after
—I think they could tint be before.
Do you not think that if they had been before? there would
be a ditterence in etc summing up in each pagef•from whaVap-
pears there at present?-- blood certainly.
The Committee wivli Mr. May to understand, that the 1111--
ewer he has Risen to the question just now DOI j tired con-
tradiction to the nerwer he gave to the Slane question the last
time he was examined before the Committee ?—I said most de-
cidedly, that I never saw auy person alter the rate, for when
the tate was signed, it amounted to a certain sum of money,
and was then given out of my possession int- the hands of the
COlleetors. rnever again see books mitil they arc sent back,
and then they are signed as an audited account ; and if there
is any deficiency, the amount of the deticiency appears. [Here
the tribes,: took one of the banks into Aix hang's.] I wish to explain
what I mean. The appearance of the book does exhibit a dif-
ference and this is the only answer I can give to it. In point
of fact, I make out a sum total for the assessment, which is de-
livered into the hands of the collectors ; for instance, here is a
anus total of 2,7901.85. I Id. which is the amount of the assess-
ment. Take this original asst-ssinent, and I think the Com-
mittee will see that an alteration is made; the assessment is
2.7901.14ik lid. the sum collected by the collectors is 1,1141. the
difference is WM. and there remains in the heads of the col-
lectors I I 11. Os. 'td. I never look to the original assessment.
'Turning to the rate of 1807, the original assessment appears
to he 1,7961. I Id.; that is also signed by the Magistrates,
with the Mlle sums?—This As the audit (pendia( to as wisest
is Wallet?" hand).
. . . .

The same snm is laid by the Magistrates, Mr. Merceron and
Mr. Williams; is not that so?--That is the fact.
It then appears, that in many instances agitator snm was
collected than what was originally rated in the book; and ad-
mitting that, can you have any doubt that the alteration must
have taken place after the rate was laid ?—No, I cannot ;
never saw Mr. Merceron alter the audit; I never took notice
ninny alteral , even in the audit book. If the assessment
had not been altered, it remains in the same sum, and I know
nothing of it; I take no notice of any altered rate, upon the
audit of the accounts ; .1 tura generally to my book, and I find
what the amoant of the assessment comes to, and I alter the
book by the original assessment.; and the thing appearing,
and the objection being on it, it would make a greater in-
crease than what appeared in the original assessment. When
we come to find a stun of money which would have increased
the assessment, we know it ; we could not call the amount of.
the assessment 2,7961. when it would be 11,t4001.
And that is proof to you that the alteration has been made
trr the rate laid by the Magistrate? That is my season for
thinking so ; but I cannot say that I ever saw it altered; that is
my only reason for thinking so.
'rum to the nanieTlionsas Nichols ; what is Ms Wising' assess-
ment?—At lat.

He paid upon that, v hat ?—Three quarters of a assess-
nu

He paid for the half year, what?-The sum of 11. 10s.
He paid upon the rate of 161. the first halfvear ?-Yes.
According to the assessment, what rate did he pay subsequent
to that ?-Aceording to the book, be appears to have paid for
the half year 11. 2s. lid.
He pays nothing for the nest quarter ? He does•aotpay his
original rate on this. I see the collector has put It down ; be
dues not even make up the threepounds, instead of an increase*
it appears a decrease.
Ia whose hand writing is his rate changed from a rate of 161.
to 241. i-in ttir. Merceron's band writing.
Turn to folio 3.5; Second Division; whose handwriting is
tIW ?-These are the Collectors, atl of them. ,
Tofu to 95, whose writing is that ?--Mr. Mereeron's.
I see there the name of Samuel Harder ; what is his boast
rated at?-At 451.
And 'what does he pay?-He pays ,71. Us. 7d. for three quer. I
tern • he was originally rated at 81. t$L.94l. for 451.
If he had paid the other quarter, he would have paid at the
rate 0.551. e-Yes.
In whose hand-writing is the alteration of Mr. Border's as-
sessment from 451. to 531.?-Mr. Merceron's.
I o!,sei re that is an alteration at Midsummer; what is meant
by " Midsummer 551. ?" -That is, %. hen a person comes in at
Lady-day ; that proves that lie does not come in until after
Lad-da‘, which spews that he was assessed from Midsummer.
Then he pays no more than is mentioned here for the three
quarters ?- I should think so.
If he is audited for three quarters, be pays no more ?-I
not speak to the fact.
ho can speak to the `set ?-I cannot say.
Do you nut think, from the appearance of Alm entry in the
book, that lie was resident in the house only three quarters ore
year ; that the rate having been altered to 551. a year from 431.
he had paid according to the increased rate of 541.i.,-Yes.
Look to folio 39; Peter Hilliard ; is there an alteration
there ?-Yes ; it appears to be Mr. Men:erases writing.
What is the rate entered?-71.
What is the rate paid upon the houses?-fin the first quarter
there is nothing paid on that 71.
Is there any alteration in the rate?--There is.
To what amount? - -The alteration is to 101.
The rate is Ils. ad. and the altered rate is 11. 13s. Id. and•the .
half of 11. 134. Id. is 16s. Bd. which is the sem eollxted ?-Yes ;
it appears so.
When does this book begin ? -lady-day POT.
And the house is rated to Lady-day at 71. and altered ,to 101.
and the last half year is collected upon 101.; and thistle proof
that the collection is made after the rate Is made ?-Y.es.
Do slot you understand, that it is equally criminal to alter a
rate after as before it is made should think so.
If any person snakes an alteration in the rate, lie not being
the person that made the original rate, do you think lie has
any ritlit to meddle wills the effect of a rate cannot say.
The house which is situated in Back-lane* occupied by John
Brown the prior .part of the year ; I would ask you who paid
the original rate for J. Bross ICS house ?-11'. H. Drewit.
I ohm:ese here it is "John Brown Is. fid.;" is there
anv alteratiow?-Yes ; " H. l)rowit, 211."
Whose band-writing is that e---The 211. is Mr.•Merceron's.
The first Half year, John Brown appears to be rated at 181. ;
the rate amounts to 31. Is. 6d. ; he paid half a yrar, being 11.
Jas. 9d. ; he was succeeded by H. Drewit, wilt/is rated at 241.?
-• Yes. . .

.

NATIONAL. REGISTER.

And pays upon that rate ? ---Yes.
1 you know the hand•writiug of the Collector that signed
that receipt ?—(ft-•eipt lad jute trUness's haal.)— Yes.

S1111111"litt'1i OF TIIE 21lEDL'SE
.
[FROM THE JOURNAL DES DFBATS.)
In our paper of tltc .Uils, we "" 7.7. isccount of the fatal
Ihiow"". was vessel, almost within sight of Cape Blanco
on the African coast, which took place on the 2I of July.. This
frigate was carrying Out the Freuch Governor of Senegal, and,
besides its complement of seamen, had a number of officers
and soldiers on hoard. The following are some details re-
specting this lamentable as well as inexplicable affair, written
by one of the actors mid sufferers in this scene of unparalleled
horror. It will be proper to mention that the recital coo.
silences at the moment when, the Medine having been wrecked,
it became necessary to divide the crew among the boats of the
frigate, and a raft, which was tastily constructed of its masts
and yards.
[The writer, we suppose, leaves it to the Captain and other
marine officers, if alive, to explain how the shipwreck Wok
place.)
" On the sth of July, 1816, the embarkation of the crew and
of the soldiers in the boats and raft took place without order
and in the greatest confusion ; there ought to have been sixty
seamen on the raft, and scarcely ten were put npon it. One
hundred and forty seven persons were confided to this frail
machine. The precipitation with which it was built, prevent-
ed it from being fitted lip with railings, because, probably,
those who caused it to be constraseted had no intention of
committing themselves to it. The raft was about 60 feet lung;
if solidly put together, it would have been able to bear 200
men; but we had soon cruel proofs of its weakness. It was
without sails or masts; there were placed upon it a number of
gnarl measures of floor, five barrels of wine, and two casks of
water, but not a single biscuit.
had .v. foot

'Scarcely 40 men set , upon the raft, or _ us
at least two feet. Ito fitcilitate the embarkation of other wretches, but our anion formed our strength.
soldiers on the raft, -we were compelled to throw into the sea " Day at last broke on this scene of horror; a great number
all the quarts of Boor.; the wine and water were alone pre. of these madmen had thrown themselves into the sea. In the
Served, and the ensbarkatioa was continued until we found morning we found that 64 men had perished in the night, a
ourselves 147 in number. The raft had sunk at least three fourth of whom drowned themselves in despair. We had loaf
feet, mad so closely mere we huddled together, that it was ins- only two of our party, and not a single officer.
possible to move a single step. Fore and aft we had the water " A new misfortune was disclosed to us at day-break. Tle
up to our middle. At the moment we left the frigate about rebels, during the tumult, had thrown into the sea two ham
201. of biscuit were tlwown to us, which fell into the sea, of wine; and the only two casks of water which were upon
whence it was tecevered with difficulty, and reduced almost the raft. There remained only one cask of wine; we were
toe paste; we prized it, however, in this state. still sixty-seven men in all; it became necessary to put our.
"It had been settled that all this boats of the frigate were to selves upon half rations. This was a new subject of murmur
tow us, and the officers who commanded them had sworn that at the moment of distribution. Matters came to inch a pitch,
that they n would abandon os. lam fir from accusing that it was necessary to resort to an extreme measure to sup.
these Gentlemen of a breach-of honour; .a fatal chain of cir. port our wretched existence. I shudder with horror while I
mantstauces doubtless compelled-them to renounce the gener- retrace that which we put in practice; 1 feel my pen drop
ous plan which they had formed to save us or die with us. from my hand; a mortal coldness freezes all my limbs, and iny
These circumstances merit a scrupulous investigation. hair stands on end. Great God! Dare we still raise towards
"The boat in which was the Governor threw to us the first you our hands, dyed with the blood of our fellow-men. Your
towing rope. Shouts of lire le kat were a thousand times re. clemency is infinite, and your paternal goodness has already
peated by the people on the raft, and a small white flag was granted to our repentance the pardon of a crime which was
hoisted 011 the extremity of a musket-barrel. The Command- never voluntary, but that of the most awful necessity !
ant appointed to the raft was a Midshipman of the first class " Those whom death had spared in the disastrous night
of the name of Condin. which I have just described threw themselves ravenously on
"If all the efforts of the boats bad constantly acted the dead bodies with which the raft was covered, +cut them up
upon us, favoured as we were by the sea•breezer we should in slices, which some even that instant devoured. A mitt
have reached land in less than three days, for the frigate was number of us at first refused to touch the-horrible fo ed ; but at
not wrecked more than 12 or 14 leagues from the shore ; such last, yielding to a want still more pressing than that of hums-
-were the calculations of the officers, which turned out to be nify, we saw in this frightful repast-only deplorable means 14.
correct, because on the very they 01 departure, the boats got Prolonging existence : and Istropoaed, I acknowleulge it, ts
sight of land before sun-set. The First Lieutenant of the frigate deythuwe.blerdiug limbs, .in order to render theun a little ii 0.. e
seeing that his efforts became useless after having towed us supportable to the lasts. 4onie. -however, heel still courage
alone for a few moments, cut the cable attached to the raft, enough to abstain from it, andto thaws lam( r quantity of wine
and left its to our fate. Several persons declared to me that was granted.
after tiffs operation they heard the barbarous cry of Let us ." The following day passed away without relief. Night
abandon then ! I had this fact from several penous ; though I came, and we took some moments of repose interrupted by the
would rather wish to believe that hnmanity and honour in- mast cruel dreams. In fine, the 4th sun since our departure
spired other sentiments hi them who had engaged by oath to from the ship rose to shine upon our woe, and to show us 10 or
conduct us to land. IS of our companions stretched lifeless on the raft: we corn-
" Indeed, we were not convinced that we were entirely mitted their bodies to the deep, reserving only one, destined to
abandoned until the boats were almost out of sight. Our con. feed us.
sternation was then extreme ; all the horrors of famine and " In-the evening, about four o'clock, a happy event brought
thirst were then depicted to our imaginations ; and we had ns some consolation. A shoal of dying fish got ler our rate;
also to struggle with a treacherous element, which already and as them was an infinity ofopen spaces between the plunk:,
covered one-half of our bodies. All the sailors and soldiers the fish got entangled 'there in numbers. We pounced upon
gave themselves-up to despair' and it was with great difficulty them and made a considerable capture, taking about aoo. Our
that we toeccededin calming them. first movement was to thank Gail for this unlooked-for benefit.
"We bad.embarked without having taken any nourishment; By means of some dried gunpowder. a flint and steel, some tin-
hunger began to make itself imperiously felt ; a little biscuit, der and rags, with the fragments of a cask, we procured some
steeped in a Little wine, formed our first repast, and it was the fire, on which we broiled the fish, and ate them with avidity ' •
best we made during our abode on the raft. some order was but we still joined to this some of that sacrilegious flesh which
established for the distribution of our wretched pittance; by roasting rendered endurable, and which the Gfficen and my-
the tirstday, which passed in tolerable tranquillity, the biscuit self touched for the first time.—The night was fine, and would
was exhausted. In the night our hearts and our prayers, by have been esteemed by us, fortunate, hind itnot beeneignalized
a sentiment natural to the unfortunate, turned towards heaven; by a new massacre. Some Spaniards, Italians, and Negros,
we invoked it with fervour, and derived from our prayers the who had remained neutral in the first revolt., or had mime over
advantage of hoping for deliverance. to our side, formed a plot to throw us all into the sea, it was
"We still cherished the idea that the division of' boats necessary to resume our arms; the difficulty was to ascertain
would hasten to return to our assistance; night however came the guilty ; they were pointed out to us by -some faithful sea-
without fulfilling our hopes—the wind freshened, there was a men. The first signal of combat was given by a Spaniard, who.,
considerable swell trfAlte sea; what a frightful night! placed behind the mast, embraced it closely, made the sign of
"Jawing this slight a great number of our passengers who the cross, and invoked the name of God, brandishing at the
had .not a seaman's foot, tumbled over one another ; in fine, same time a long cutlass. The seamen seized and threw him
after ten-hours of the most cruel sufferings, day arrived. What into the sea : the mutineers ran to avenge their comrade; they
a spectacle presented itself' to our view! 10 or 12 unfortunate were repulsed, and order was restored.
creatures having their lower extremities entangled in tbe in- " Day broke upon us for the sixth time: at the hour of re-
tersticies left between the planks of the raft, had been unable pa,t I counted our people ; we were only 30 ; we bad lost five
to disengage themselves, and had lost their lives. Several of our faithtid nautical. The survivors were is the most &-
others had been carried off the raft by the violence of the act; plorable state; the salt water had taken off the epidermis of
ao that by morning we were already 20 fewer in number. our lower extremities : we were covered either with email-
"We deplored the loss of our unfortunate companions; hut dons or wounds, which, irritated by the salt water, forced
we did not, at the moment, anticipate the scene that was to from us horrible cries; so that only about twenty of us were
take place next night. The hope of seeing dee boats again in able to keep on our legs, and calk about. Nearly all our wine
the course of the day supported our courage ; but when it was and ttorksof fish were .exhansted : we had wine left for only
disappointed, depression followed, and from that moment a four days, and only about twelve fish remaining. In four days,
seditious spirit nianiteeted itself' by criesof fiu-y. we said we shall have contained the whole, and death will be
" Night came on; the sky was covered with thick clouds; inevitable. Seven days have now passed since we were aban-
the sea was still more terrible than on the preceding night; cloned- We calculated that, if the berate were not swamped on
and the men, hieing unable to hold fast to the raft, either fore the coast, they would require at least three or four days .to
or aft, crowded towards the centre, the most solid part. Al- reach St. Louis : it would then require -some flint. to dispatch
most all Noose perished who were enable to reach the centre ; vessels, which again would require souse time to find us. We
the crowding of the people was Well, that some were stifled by resolved to hold out as long as possible. In the course of the
the weight of their comrades, who were -falling upon then; day two soldiers crept behind the: only cask of wine left: they
every moment. pierced it, and were drinking with a pipe. We had all sworn
"'Die soldiers and sailors. giving themselves lip for lost, fell that the man who should resort to such means should be punish.
a drinking until they lost their reason. In this
_state they ed with death. This law was executed 011 the moment, and
carried their delirium so far as to display an intention of 'nor. the tw-o culprits were thrown into the st a.
dering their .Chiefs, and destroying the [aft, by elating the , " Thus there remained only 21i of us. Out of this number,
ropci which mitetlita different parts. Glue of them advanced, fifteen alone appeared able to exist for some (lass longer ; all
Set, to execute this design; he bud already the others, covered with large wounds, had wholly lost their
ligaments, which was )he signal of revolt. , reasbn. However, they had a share in our rations, and might,
rward to restrain these madmen; that one i before their death, consume 10 bottles of wine ; those 40 bot-
hatchet, with vsliich lee dared to threaten ties of wine were to us of inestimable value. We held a coun-
ith the stroke of a sabre. Many of the cil: to putt the sick on halt' rations was to delay their death by
passengers joined uus for the preset vation of aft 'W moments ; leave them without provisions was to put
-1,041 drew their sabres, and those who bad them to a slow sleuth. After a long deliberation, we ic,ol+ed

none armed themselves with knives. We put onrielves is: a
posture of defence, and the combat coalfaces:od. 4.l'w 8••"""
rebels raised Isis weaponazainut cer he fell that moment
pierced etalls This firmness appeared for a moment
.o intimidate the mutineers; but they closed in with one
another and retired aft, to execute their plan. One of theist
feigning to repose himself. had begun to cut the ropes with a
knife, when, being advertised of it by a domestic, we darted
xi him; a soldier. wishing 100 defend him, threatened an
officer w ith his knife, and aiming a blow at hint, struck only
Isis coat. The officer, turning about, floored his advetsity,
and threw him into the sea, as well as his comrade.
" The battle soon became general ; the mast broke, sash
falling upon Capt. Duptsnt, who renasiined senseless, nearly
broke his thigh. He was seized by the soldiers, who threw
him into She sea. We perceived this, and were iu time to
save hint; we placed him on a barrel, wl-enee he was torn by
the mutineers, who wished to dig Isis eyes out wills a knife.
Roused by owls ferocity, we charged them with fury, dashed
thsoagis the lines which the soldiers had formed, sabre in hand,
mad many of them paid with their lives for their madness.
The passengers seconded ass. After a second charge, t:.. "ley
of the rebels was subdued, and gave place to the most marked
cowardice; the greater part threw themselves on their knees,
and asked pardon, which was immediately granted.
" We thought order restored, and returned to our post in
the centre of the raft. It was nearly midnight, we kept our
arms. After an hour of apparent tranquillity, the soldiei
arose anew; they were quite rand; but as they still enjoyed
their physical strength, anti were besides armed, it became
necessary to act on the defensive. They attacked us, we
charged them in turn, anal soon the raft was strewed with
their carcasses. Those of our adversaries who had no arms,
endeavoured to tear us with their teeth; many of us were
cruelly bitten ; I was so myself in the legs and oil the shoulder.
There were not more than 12 15 of " to resist all those

when it sank

I that receipt ?—( nerd/0 pat is4tu witness's hand.)—Yea. ~ dering their Chiefs, and destroying the raft, by cutting the , " Thus there rer
That is a receipt gi% en to Mr. l)ressit for the payment of the • ropei which aneited'its different parts. tine of them advanced, fifteen alone appeal
hallyear's rate at 411. ?-1-es, I have no doubt about it. armed with a hatchet, to execute this design ;he had already the others, coverer
I. it possible that the alterations in the Rate-honk, which ap- begun to cut the br,aurepts, *slob was ;he signal .of revolt. , reasbr. however,
pear in Mr. 31erceron's silting, could have been made before The officers came, forward to restraiu these madmen; that one i before their death,
the rate was laid, without your knowltdge %--The rate being who was armed with a hatchet, with a 'deli lee dared to threaten ties of wine were t
1 jail on the 7th of August, and the persou not coming in at or them, was killed meth the stroke of a sabre. Many of the cil: to put she sick
:ii.,,eit !Michaelmas, such alteration must have been made after officers and some passengers joined ms for the preset cation of akw moments t ..o
':l,. rate was laid. the raft. The revolted drew link sabres, cud those who bad them to a slow deu
s• '
-a, .