The Sun.
London, England, 1847-11-20 00:00:00

THAMES.

Charles Haywood, a seaman, was brought before
Mr. Ballantine, charged with assaulting Mr. William
Proctor, the chief officer of the barque Prince, from
Quebec; but the case, which was of considerable
importance, resolved itself into one of endeavouring
to make a revolt in the ship, which offence, under 11
and 12 William 111., chap. 7, sec. 9, is declared to
be a. capital felony.
Mr. Pelham appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Wells for the defence.

It appeared from the evidence, that on the 29th of
September last, while the ship was in the river St.
Lawrence, off Quebec, the prisoner and another man,
named Dent, deserted from the Prince with the view
of obtaining higher wages in a homeward bound ship,
which is the general practice in all Quebec voyages.
The two men were detected by the chief officer in a
lighter alongside the ship, in which they had secreted
themselves with their clothes, chests, and hammocks,
and the complainant forced them on board again.
The prisoner was very abusive when he was brought
on board, and told the captain and the chief officer,
" They knew well what he was going to do; and
that he could get 131. per month in a ship home-
ward bound." He refused to do any more duty that
day. Next morning at six A.M., when the chief
officer called up the hands, they refused to turn out
until three quarters of an hour elapsed, when the
prisoner used the most vulgar and abusive language
towards the captain and mate, and said he would do
no more work in the ship. His conduct at length
became so outrageous that he was given into custody
and committed to gaol until Saturday, the 2d of
October, when, just as the ship was about to get
under way, he was brought on board by an inspector
of police. He directly commenced abusing Mr.
Proctor, and said, " he was the cause of his being put
in gaol, and he would not only be the death of him
but kill the old captain as well." He then struck
the complainant a tremedous blow on the
nose and caused him to bleed profusely. He was
proceeding to further violence, and calling upon his
shipmates not to do any more work, when the chief
officer rushed into the cabin where the captain was
settling some business with the inspector of police,
and requested his interference. The captain and the
inspector seized the prisoner, and after a desperate
struggle forced him into the sail-room below, and the
hatches were battened down upon him by the in-
spector. The prisoner obtained a crowbar, broke out
of his place of confinement, again attacked the chief
officer, beat him severely, and tried to throw him
down. Mr. Proctor got away from him, and
ran into the cabin, and told the captain that
unless something was done to restrain the
prisoner, he would become master of the
ship, and take her away from the master and mates.
The captain immediately loaded his pistols, and went
upon deck with one in each hand. The prisoner was
then standing close to the cabin door armed with a
large chain hook, which he flourished in the master's
face ; and, after uttering a profane oath, said he would
kill any one who laid hands upon him, or attempted
to do so, and called out to the crew, " One and all of
you stick by me, and we'll take the ship before she
gets out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence." He remained
on deck brandishing the chain hook for half an hour,
but was deterred by the captain's pistols from carry-
ing his threats into execution. The captain at last
prevailed upon him to go below, where he remained
for two hours and then came upon deck again, but
refused to do any work until the captain made an
agreement with him to pay him his full wages on the
arrival of the ship in London, and take no notice of
the attempted desertion. The evidence of the chief
officer was fully borne out by the testimony of the
captain, the second officer (who was also struck and
abused by the prisoner), and by the carperter.
In cross-examination by Mr. Wells, the captain
said the ship was getting under way when the vio-
lence complained of was committed. After the dis-
turbance was over, he gave all the men a glass of
grog each, and the prisoner among the number; and
he also promised to pay him his full wages. That
was done to pacify him.
Mr. BALLANTINE said this case resolved itself into
something more serious than an assault, and he should
therefore send the prisoner for trial for mutiny.
Mr. Wells said that neither of the acts alleged
against the prisoner would amount to a felonious and
piratical act of mutiny, and it would appear the man
returned to his duty. He asked the captain if the
prisoner did not cheerfully do his duty, and do it
well, both on the outward and homeward voyage ?
and he replied in the affirmative. He also admitted
that the prisoner was a little intoxicated on the 2d of
October.

BALLANTINE said, one of the evils of Quebec
voyages was, that seamen went out in ships from
England at 2/. ss. or 21. 103. per month, deserted at
Quebec, and reshipped themselves at 131. or 14/. per
month. The prisoner had attempted to do that, and
because the chief mate prevented him cheating his
owners, he was threatened, and a violent assault was
made upon him by the prisoner, who kept the ship in
a state of excitement for some time. He would leave
a jury to say what sort of an offence that was.
Mr. Wells—Will you, in a case where a man is
only charged with assault, commit him for mutiny?
Mr. BALLANTINE--" Yes, I will, I mean to do it."
The magistrate then inquired if any entries had been
made in the log relating to the transaction ?
Mr. Pelham said, full and fair entries had been
been made in the log-book (which he read), and sub-
mitted that the magistrate was quite justified in com-
mitting the prisoner for mutiny ; and that seamen
should be made acquainted with the danger of resist-
ing the authority of the master or mate on board a
merchant ship. The prisoner endangered the safety
of the ship by his turbulent conduct while she was
getting under way in the St. Lawrence.
Mr. BALLANTINE then committed the prisoner for
trial under the statute of William 111., for feloni-
ously endeavouring to make a revolt in the ship ; hut
on the application of Mr. Wells accepted bail—the
prisoner in 100/., and two sureties of 50/. in each, to
appear at the next sessions of the Central Criminal
Court.

We understand that the forgery on the North
Wilts Bank is Confined to the Chippenham branch, and
to notes of the issue of March 31, 1847, purporting to be
signed by William Gundry and Benjamin Baily. The
directors have taken steps to cancel that issue, and sub-
stitute other notes with a distinguishing feature.— Wilts
Independent.
KILMARNOCK.—The prevailing topic here is the
state of trade, which has grown much worse. The
staple manufactures are in a more uninviting state than
they have been for many years past; and there is but
little prospect of improvement. Even those branches
which have been hitherto in a flourishing condition, are
beginning to feel the pressure of the times, and the
results are telling heavily on the condition of the poorer
classes. Carpet weavers, of whom there are a con-
siderable number, are generally employed only half time
—many are altogether idle; while calico-printers, by the
stoppage of Messrs. Neill and Yorston, Mr. Young and
C" and Mr. Dick, are in a still more deplorable con-
dition. The long continued depression in this branch
has necessitated a number to apply to the authorities for
temporary relief, which has been afforded in the shape
of out-door labour. The re-establishment of the Soup
Kitchen has been mooted ; and, should this take place,
further relief will be afforded to the unemployed part of
the population. We are glad to hear that fever is on
the decrease, and that the number of deaths is diminish.
ingt as yet, however, we are unable to give the statis-
tical account, and can only speak from the current
rumour. We hope it will be found correct, as the
amount and fatality of disease has hitherto been most
appalling.—Ayr Observer.
LET or TAT FISIIERIES.—SaImon fishing seems
to be a mysterious trade. Those engaged in it are ever
losing and ever able to lose—always ruined by high
rents, and every year adding to the burden that galls
them. Some days ago the Earl of Wemyss's fishings
were let at a rise of nearly 5001. on the previous year
the rent for 1847 being, in round numbers, 1,300 L, and
that far 1848, 1,8001. "The Seggieden fishings have been
likewise disposed of at a considerable advance.—Perth
Advertis, r.
FEMALE COURAGE.-011 Friday morning last, at
an early hour, a young servant girl, named Mary Mere-
dith, in the employ of Mrs. Elizabeth Price, mercer,
High-street, Brecon, was engaged in lighting a fire,
when she heard a tinkling of silver, and proceeding to
ascertain the cause, saw a man walking from the direc-
tion of a cupboard in the house towards the street door,
which was partly open. She rushed past him, and at
once closed the door, which fastened with a spring
latch ; this he succeeded in opening, but she again
closed it be fore ho could push by her out. lie then ran
through a parlour into the shop, and tried to get out
that way, but the spirited girl was with him again, and
prevented him, until \lr. Thomas Bevan, flour-merchant,
who heard her call for assistance, came over and secured
the fellow. On the arrival of the police he was searched,
and ten silver spoons and a cream jug, stolen from the
cupboard, found upon him. lie was well dressed, end
gave the name of Grey, stating that he came from Glou-
cester. He was then locked up to await examination.—
Hereford Journal.