The Sun.
London, England, 1832-08-15 00:00:00

MURDER OF CAPTAIN TAYLOR.

(From the Singapore Chronicle of JAN. 19.)
We noticed in our last that Captain Taylor, of
the bark Diedereika, had been murdered by one of
the crew on the passage from Batavia, and promised
a particular account of the circumstances attending
this melancholy event. This we are enabled to give
from a brief statement sent to us by the present
Commander, Mr. Townsend.
At a little after twelve o'clock, a.m., on the .sth
inst., a Manilla seacunny, named Ignatio Francisco,
employed in the ship, was struck by Captain Taylor
for giving wrong soundings. From half-past twelve
watch) this man was at the helm, but when he wi
relieved at four, arid the Captain relieved Mi.
Townsend, he armed himself with an axe, and so
soon as he saw Captain Taylor dosing in his chair,
he went up the poop and struck him on the head,
saying in Portuguese, " You struck me for nothiog
—now 1 will kill you for it." After giving Captain
Taylor two heavy blows on the head, the villain ran
down into Mr. Townsend's cabin, and struck him
also, whilst asleep in bed, a severe blow on the
head. Mr. Townsend awoke and struggled with
the man, who had raised his hand to make a second
stroke, but having extricated himself lie ran upon
the poop, closely pursued by the seacunny, who
made three more strokes at Mr. Townsend with the
axe, as he was running up the ladder, none of
which hit him. (The marks are on the ladder.)
Mr; Townsend found Captain Taylor standing on
the poop, and told him the seacunny Ignatio had
broken his head : he answered in a hollow voice,
"He has broken mine also." Hearing no noise,
and being much confused from the blow he had re-
ceived on his head, Mr. Townsend went below
again, for what purpose he cannot tell, except it was
to arm himself. But lie had scarcely put his foot
on the quarter-deck when Ignatio rose from the
mizen-hatch, and struck him a very severe blow
on the left shoulder with the axe. Mr. Town-
send then ran forward; at first he was pur-
sued, but on lurking round as he passed by the bow
of the long-boat, in turning to the starboard side of
the ship, he perceived the seacunny had left him,
and was struggling with Captain Taylor. He then
ran aft into the cabin to arm himself. On the way
to the cabin he heard the Captain groan heavily. A
quarter of a minute had not elapsed when the sea-
cunny came aft and called Mr. Townsend by name,
commanding him out. Mr. T. stood abaft the
mizen mast with a sword in his hand waiting his
approach. Finding that Mr. Townsend was not
inclined to come out, the seacunny came into the
cabin, when Mr. Townsend struck him with the
sword. The blow was intended for his head, but
he guarded it off, and received it on the back of his
hand. Upon this he ran forward. Mr. Townsend
instantly called out to the gunner and crew, who
were and had been tip the rigging from the com-
mencement of the affray, and they came down and
armed themselves. At break of day the villain was
perceived sitting on the jib-boom with a bayonet in
one hand and knife in the other. Mr. Townsend
ordered six hands to go forward with muskets, and
desired him either to throw his weapons overboard
and deliver himself up, or that they should shoat
him. On being summoned he said, "My work is
done, I want no more," and having thrown his
weapons overboard, delivered himself to the gunner,
thTwhaohedC:vaagnpprasumtleatl
Townsend
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themselves,
nma
ordered
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eoa
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ode
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tain, but not one would stir from the poop, fearing
the villain might be lurking about the deck.
It would appear that Captain Taylor, on reco-
vering a little from the effects of the blows he had
received, followed the villain forward to secure him
if possible, but he was so weak from loss of blood
that he was not able to overcome him, and in strug-
gling with his murderer he speedily met an untimely
death. At the time of this occurrence the vessel
was to the southward of the Calanteega Islands.

• h
Our Diocesan is at Teignmout—h with his
family, for fear of the cholera at Exeter, it is reported.
It is said his Lordship will not return to his place whilst
the cholera rages at Exeter. If his episcopal duties had
not called him to Exeter, we should have fancied his Lod.
ship's presence would have been moat useful where the
cholera is. The worthy Mayor of Exeter is indefatigable,
though he is one of the unpaid ; and we should have hoped,
so well paid as his Lordship is, that he would have assisted
at the cholera board, especially at such a time as this.—
Western, (Exeter) Times.