The Sun.
London, England, 1827-05-30 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY SESSIONS, M. 29.

(ROBERT HARRIS'S CROSS-EXAMINATION CONCLUDED,
FROM THE SUN OF YESTERDAY.)

The deceased was cook and steward. The crew com-
plained that the deceased did not cook their victuals well.
On one occasion, when the crew were ordered down, they
found the flour that had been provided spoiled, and Grove
proposed that the next time they found the cook on deck,
that they should punish him themselves. A cat was then
provided, and several of the crew struck the deceased with
the cat. The captain came on deck whilst the crew were
beating the deceased, and seizing the cat, which was in
witness's hand, he complained that witness did not beat
the deceased hard enough, and commenced striking him-
self. The crew gave the deceased another flogging on the
ilth or 12th September, but that flogging could not have
hurt the deceased. The deceased was dismissed from be-
ing cook some days before his death, and was ordered by
the master to pick oakum. He was a clean man, -and
would have done his duty if the master had given him
time. The witness never read the paper he signed. Said
nothing on the 16th September to prevent the prisoner
from ill-treating the deceased. It was often said before,
" Captain, don't ill-treat the poor fellow," but this did
not induce the captain to desist. Witness signed the paper
through fear, but did not make any charge against the
master when the King's Officers came aboard.
Re -examined by Mr. ANnßEws.—There certainly was
cause of complaint against the cook, for the manner in
which he dressed the victuals.

Examined by the CHIEF Jusncr.—lt is usual, when
any offence is committed by the captain of a merchant-
man, to complain when the crew came near a king's ship.
The crew of the Valiant (lid not adopt this course, be-
cause they determined to mention the murder when they
went ashore. Witness was several times ashore at the
Mauritius, and met English soldiers, and English sailors,
but never complained to them of the crud murder
of the black man. The person who administered the
oath to witness never read over the paper which witness
signed. It was never read to witness that he and the
crew were to swear " that the deceased died by the visita-
tion of God, and not from any accident or abuse which
occurred in the ship." Witness did not know that he had
sworn to those words, or to any thing else but that the
black died in his hammock.

By a Juror.—Witness himself had never experienced
any ill-treatment from the master.
John Holmes, aged 16 years, deposed that he joined
the Valiant before her voyage to the Mauritius. The
cook's name was Francis Williams. He was a young
man, and appeared in good health. About a fortnight
after the ship sailed from the river, the captain began to
quarrel with the cook for being lacy and dirty. The cap-
tain used to beat him with a stick, which he called Tons
Thumb. The cook was afterwards beat by the crew,
every man taking the cat and giving a blow. Witness
and William Norman were the only persons who did not
strike the cook. The captain stood by whilst the punish-
ment was inflicted, and when the crew were done flogging,
the captain took up a stave, and began striking the cook.
Witness remembered the day before the cook was found
dead. It was a Saturday. Witness first saw the cook
sitting on the boom, and the captain flogging him. Wit-
ness was employed in the cabin, and only saw what was
going on occasionally. The cook asked for a drink of
water, and the master ordered him a pannakiu of brine,
which he made the cook drink. Witness afterwards saw the
cook lying under the ballast, which consisted of mud, sand,
and small stone.. He was afterwards hauled up on deck
by a rope round his thigh, and appeared almost dead. The
Captain lifted the cook by the gallows, and then let him
fall on deck. He called to Wm. Casson to heat an iron
hoop, which Casson refused to do, and the Captain then
put the iron himself in the fire, and applied it to the cook's
head until he singed the hair. Witness then went below,
and on coming up again lie saw the master and a man
named Nuttall, lowering the cook into the sea; after a little
while he was hauled up again, and being allowed about two
minutes to recover his breath, was again lowered into the
sea, anti was taken up almost dead. Whilst coming up
the side of the vessel, his throat caught in the chain-bolt
and was hurt. The cook then lay almost insensible on the
deck, and some of the men asked whether they should not
take him below, but the Captain said " d— the rascal, let
him lav there, and I'll take the sulks out of him." Sub-
sequently the cook was carried below, and his jacket taken
off, and he was put into his hammock stark naked. In
the course of the night the Captain said to witness. "Boy,
Jack, go and see whether the cook is dead or alive !" Wit-
ness went and heard the cook groan, but when witness ad-
dressed him, he could not answer. Witness felt his body
and knew he was naked. In the morning witness went
into the Captain and said to the Captain that the cook was
dead, and the Captain changed colour, jumped out of bed
and went on deck. By order of the Captain the body was
then hauled upon deck in the hammock. The Captain
said " do you think he died of ill usage !" and Grove made
answer, " he did not die of good usage." The Captain
then read prayers over the body, and it was thrown into
the sea. The crew got grog on
.that day. Witness heard
the Captain and men talking about the paper, but never
heard it read nor was asked to sign it. The Captain be-
haved very well to the crew for the rest of the voyage.
He first.faund fault with the cook because he did not clean
the knives and forks, and afterwards because there were com-
plaints of his bad cooking. On one occasion the cook
was tied up with a rope in a most indecent manner, and
another time the tormentors were thrust into his breeches,
and the soup-ladles and scrubbing-brushes hung round his
neck. This was only for a laugh.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRODERICK-Witness saw the
crew beat the cook in the absence of the master, and
also in his presence. They " robbed him " with a stave ;
the black man did not npset the pannakin of brine in wit-
' ness's presence ; witness never heard the Captain tell the crew
that they must not punish the cook, but if necessary that he
would punish him. Upon the arrival of the vessel in the
Mauritius, the. Captain went ashore ; there were two King's
ships in the harbour; the crew were all ashore at different
times ; witness was a cabin boy on board the ship ; if any
one of the crew had been desirous to speak to the officers of
the King's ships, they had the opportunity; after the de-
ceased was drawn up from the hold, and before he was
lowered into the sea, there was no offensive smell ; this was
after the cook had drunk the brine.
In answer to Chief Justice BRST-The deceased was
pulled up from the bold by one leg, his head hanging down.
The cook could not have been much hurt by the punish-
ment the crew gave hint. When the crew were beating
the cook, the Captain took the stave out of some one's hand
and began to strike himself.
William Casson was a seaman on hoard the Valiant.
Joined the vessel in August last. Williams (a man of
colour) was tke cook. Witness did not observe that the
mailer ill-treated him until about a week before William's
death. The day before the black man's death the master
flogged him with a cat. When the cook asked for a drink
of water, the Captain gave him a pannakin of brine. The
cook raid he had rather not have any, and the Captain said
.- -
he must, for that it was as good as London porter.—
The Captain then began flogging with the cat until the
cook drank the brine, The unt tin witness *caw

the cook was in the hold, with his head in a bucket, Ap-
parently very ill. Witness let down a rope by order of
the Captain, and it was tied round the cook's thigh, and
the Captain and another man hauled him up. Soon after,
the Captain desired witness to put the poker in the fire,
and witness refused, upon which the Captain thrust the
poker into the fire himself, and laid it across the cook's back
when it was red-hot. The cook did not cry out. The
Captain ordered brine to be brought a second time, and
witness brought it, and some was poured down the cook's
throat as he lay on his back. After this, the Captain
ordered the cook to be put overboard, and he was kept in
the sea for some minutes. He was then hauled up and laid
on deck for some minutes, and then immersed in the sea
again. When he was brought up the second time, he
had a cut under his chin from one of the chain-bolts.
After lying on the deck some minutes, the cook was then
sent into the hold and put into his hammock. He
was laid on his back and had nothing on his per-
son but the Guernsey frock. 'Witness was the first that
went to look after the cook, and, upon descending into
the hold, he found him dead, in the same position in which
he was left the preceding evening. When the Captain came
on deck, witness told him the cook was dead, and the
Captain said, " Ah ! is he? he is the first black I ever
knew to (lie in the sulks." When the corpse was brought on
deck, the Captain asked if there were any marks, and oae of
the men said there could be no marks on a black man's
body. After the cook was burled, the Captain asked wit-
ness to sign a paper to the effect that the deceased died by
the visitation of God. Grove said they could not sign
such a paper ; but to make all comfortable, they had better
sign accidental death. Witness went to the cabin and signed
the paper, but did not know exactly what it contained.
Does not believe it was ever read to him.

Cross-examined..--Witness went two voya,7a with the
prisoner before, and had no complaint to make against him.
Witness never saw the whole crew strike the deceased with
staves. Saw one man strike deceased with a stave, and
the Captain took the stave from the man's hand, and be-
gan to use it himself.

When the crew went ashore the paper they signed and
swore to was read over to them by a gentleman.
This was before they went to the Police-office.
Harris, the first witness, was present. Witness had a
quarrel with the Captain in the vessel, when she
was in the river. He swore on that occasion that
he would have satisfaction, and would not swear that
he did not say he would be revenged. Witness re-
membemd drinking giu with a man named: Andrews, at
the sign of the Admiral Blakoeey, but never said
that he expected to make a good thing by this trial, nor
that he did not care a if he could see the prisoner
hanged.
James Nuttall, another seaman, deposed that the cook
was punished four times for not cooking the dinner. The
first time it was by the ship's company ; the captain gave
the first six lashes. Ile did not appear, from what had
been done to him at that time, to have suffered in his health.
The witness then gave similar testimony to the other
witnesses, but not with the same positiveness as to what
took place the day before the man died. It was done for
the purpose of making bins speak; but he did not speak;
he was insensible. He was slipped twice for about two
minutes ; there was about half a minute between the times
of his being dipped ; he had nothing on but his jacket.
He went down to see him in the morning about four
o'clock ; he was then groaning ; he saw him the next
morning at eight o'clock, and he was then dead. They
lowered him on to the ballast, and stripped his person, but
found no marks on him. They did not look at the part
where the cat had been applied. He signed the paper,
stating that the deceased came by his death by accident,
through fear; he knew the contents of it. They were en-
gaged for the ship out and home.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRODERICK—At the time, the
man did look as if he had been sulky ; the paper they
swore to was read to them at the notary's, and they then
went to the police-office to swear to it.

By a Juryman—His back was not examined ; his lower
parts were examined, but he saw no marks of burns there.
Joseph Davidson, the second mate of the vessel, was on
watch below before twelve o'clock; he could not therefore
see what took place on deck ; he saw him hauled up from
the hold by Nuttall, and the Captain assisted him. His
further testimony was corroborative of the former witness's.
Cross-examined by Mr. AnoLvirus—He knew the con-
tents of both the papers before he signed them, and swore
to one of them. It was his place to sign the paper, and to
swear to it too.

By the Crincr JUSTICE—.-111) had been many years at
sea. He did not know that if they had complained to the
Captain of a man of war, that he would have protected
them, and have taken the person who had so misbehaved
into custody. Ife did not think they had taken a false
oath : they wished to come home in the vessel.
William Maindress, the ship's carpenter, was next called;
he assisted to put the deceased into his hammock ; he was
insensible. The witness detailed the facts before stated.
He did not know that he had signed any thing more than
that the man had died in his hammock. He signed, for
fear of being served so himself. He came home good
friends with the captain.
William Hunter, the chief mate, was called.
Mr. ANDREWS declined asking him any questions.
By Mr. ADOLPH us—The captain was a mild, good-dis-
posed man ; he never saw anything wrong on 'his part.
The deceased was generally complained of about a fortnight
after he joined the ship. On the 12th of September the
cook was tied to the windlass. He (witness) was with the
captain in the cabin ; they went on deck ; the men were
" cobbing" the deceased with a stave, not a rope; the
Captain released him, and had done so at other times when
the crew were ill-using him. The cook was a sulky and
sullen person, and the Captain and himself had a great
deal of trouble with him. On the 16th of September (the
day before he died), he was put on the boom for neglect of
duty; the brine was upset on the quarter-deck ; the de-
ceased to his certain knowledge did not swallow any of the
brine ; and no person could force any part of it down his
throat, for the boom was six feet above the quarter-deck ;
no person, that he saw, stood over him with a cat to make
him drink the brine. He was put overboard because he
had dirtied himself. He examined his body all over before
the crew; he turned him over, and there were no wounds
or burns either on his flesh or his hair. No one made any
objection to signing the paper. There was a glass of grog
given them on the day the man died. They had all had
grog on that voyage before. They were near the Line,
and he thought that the man having fouled himself,
the putting him overboard would not do him any harm.
but good. Groves struck the second mate and himself, and
he made a signal that there was a meeting : two officers
came on board. The men had a full opportunity of com-
plaining if they had thought fit ; the Captain was on shore,
The paper was explained to the men before the notary,
and they all willingly signed it. He heard Casson several
times say the words which he had denied in his examination.
By Mr. ANDREWS-- The Captain wrote the paper him-
self on the day the man died.

By the CHIEF JUSTICE—He did not know that it wa*
usual to desire the crew to examine men who died at eca.
He inspected this man because he had been ill-treated—he
had been ill-treated by all the crew. On his solemn oath,
he did not believe that the man died by any violence re-
ceived from any one.
_ _

This closed the case for the prosecution.
The prisoner put in a written defence: it stated that he
was innocent of the charge; that on the Nth of Septem-
ber he found the deceased made fast to the windlass, and
the men were punishing him. He released him. A few
days after this he spoiled the whole of the dinner. He or-
dered him to pick oakum ; he subsequently fouled himself,
and he had a rope put round him, and had him gently
lowered down into the water. It went on to state that
some of the men were afterwards refractory, and that he
was compelled to take a rope's-end to make them do their
duty ; 'and that the prosecution vas at the instigation of
a person where some of the meat lodged.

Wm. Andrews was called, and proved the words spoken
by Casson, which he had denied.
James Harding, Esq. William Baker, Esq. and a num-
ber of other respectable witnesses, gave the prisoner an
excellent character for humanity, diligence, and sobriety.
The Loan CHIEF JUSTICE said, that it appeared to him
impossible that the Jury could find the prisoner guilty upon
the testimony of men whose evidence varied so much, and
who had already sworn the very reverse. After remark-
ing at great length on the case, he said he would read the
evidence, if the jury wished it.
The Jury, without troubling his Lordship, pronounced
the prisoner Not Guilty.
The prisoner, who is a man of gentlemanly appearance,
conducted himself with great firmness and composure during
the trial.

There was a great crowd outside, and Captain Bragg
was obliged to retire into Newgate for protection.

In Denmark there are what are called Courts
of Reconciliation, in which parties before enter-
ing into litigation appear, and hear the opinions
of the Judges on their case. If after this they
choose to abide by that opinion, a decree to that
effect is entered ; if not, they go on with their
action,

• LONDON MARKETS.
(From the London New Price Current of Tuesday)
SUGAR. -The demand for Muscovades last week Col'
tinned steady and considerable ; the estimated sales ard
proached nearly to 3,000 hhds. ; the prices of good sa
fine Sugars were rather higher. There is a small sleety
ululation of stock on account of the recent and extenel
arrivals ; the comparative deliveries last week are rather
lower ; the sales at the close of this day were estimated
at 1,500 hhds., including 121 casks Barbadoes which
sold at public sale at full prices 595. a 665. The Soli
Market is exceedingly firm. Last week the refill
Market advanced generally Is. per cwt. ; the Pl'
chases of low goods for export were extensive, and none
offer now under 81s. The wholesale grocers purchas ,
good 83s. a 85s. on an extensive scale for the anticipate('
demand for home-made wine, preserves, &c. ; in other
goods the sales also were considerable. Molasses were
steady, sellers at 255. and extensive buyers at 249. G"
At the close of the day refined Sugars were dull but higher,
scarcely any lumps could be purchased at 81s. and little of
any description remain unsold. The purchases of Foreign
Sugars last week were 335 Pernambuco, of fine shits
quality, averaging 405.. for the Mediterrannean we believe'
At public sale 148 chests Havannah good white sold Is' a
Is. 6d. lower than by private contract, from 43e. 63' t`:
445. 6d. ; good yellow a shade lower 345. 6d. a Ss'':
1,000 bags l3enares were, we believe, all taken in 830. "
365. ; 1,600 bags Mauritius sold with great briskness, the
yellows at a further advance of Is., 58s. a 635., the brolo
a shade higher, dry brown 555. 6d.
Comm.-The Coffee Market last week evinced more
firmness, but there was little variation in the currency'
St. Domingo 435. 6(1. sip to 463.-The Jamaica and other
British Plantation mold more freely, but without any and;
vance in the prices. By public sale this forenoon 2v,a
casks, 30 bags British Plantation, nearly the whole 01.
at steady prices ; good ordinary Jamaica 50s. ; fine ord!'
nary 565. ; middling Berbice 715.-The Coffee :Market is
firm, some St. Domingo by private contract very ordinal
435. a 435. 6(1.-Brazil Coffee is inquired after.
PEOVISIONS.--We cannot state any definitive arrange"
meat as to the transit duty on Foreign Provisions;
common reports in the Market are that a duty of I is. elri
131. per 10016. will he imposed. Some sales of Hanthurg
India Beef are reported at 51. 10s. In Irish Beef or Fork
there is nothing doing, inconsiderable parcels at former
prices. Bacon continues in demand on account of tbe
.
favourable season of the year for consumption. Some 10
Irish Butters sold at 105 s. Dutch 96e. a 100 s.
i-
SPlcas.-East India Spices continue neglected. -p,
salient° is in more demand and rather higher prices are 0""
tained, 91d. ord. up to 10d. for good quality.
Rica.---The prices of Rice are rather lower.
HEMP, FLAX., and Tattow.-The accounts from St'
Peteraburgh are to the 12th inst.,- several ships had arriveo,..
the exchange was 10Id. ; 750 casks Tallow had sold at 96
rubles, but the price at the date of the advices was PS'
The Market here continues steady and improving ; vet/
extensive contracts for time were last week reported, in
some instances 3d. to 6d. under the Market rates, with the
privilege to the sellers to double the quantity sold. In Henn/
or Flax there is little alteration.
For Delivery.-Tallow, delivery last three months 3'7'
9d. to 38s. per cwt. ; Tallow, Shipment on or before the
31st of August, 375. 3d. to 371. 6d. ; Hemp, shipment 0
or before 31st August, 361. ss.
OILS. -There is little alteration in Oils : the Market
generally is heavy.
SILKS.-Silks are heavy and lower ; Bengals are offered
Is. to Is. 6d. under last East India sale prices. of
COCUINEAL-The great reduction in the pncea,,,,
Cochineal has attracted the attention of the buyers; there
are snore inquiries and souse sales of export Black are re-
ported at 13s.
COTTON-There is no alteration in the prices of Cottot!'
the estimated sales for the week ending last night incluilic!i;
are 800 Surats 4id. a sid., 200 Bengal 41d. a sa. it
bond ; 150 Egyptian 7d. a duty paid. The Sora ;
at 4id. have been on the market for sale for a length:,
time at 4id. By public sale this forenoon 1,100 Bowel;
I,boo Surats, 100 New Orleans, of which about half
Boweds sold at prices equal to private contract ; about 60io
of the Surats sold at steady prices; New Orleans Wit
drawn ; Surat rubbish qd. a good at late price' „
FRUIT-The quantity of Fruit lately exported is ;
extensive : it has the effect of making the market 1.01.-
firm. The sales since our last are Red Smyrna Rais4l
l-
.?
495. and 50s. ; New Valentia 535. ; Denias 569.; Cu

rants 87s. a 88s.
INntoo.—The accounts from Calcutta reach to the erAd.
of January ; the crop is estimated under 75,000 tnautial
the colouring matter as 2 to b compared with the pre
vious season. There are no purchases of East India 10;
digo to report ; small parcels have sold at an advano 0'
6d. per lb., but the purchases are quite inconsiderable,;
the market generally has a heavy appearance. By P. ,13,111 e,
sale, this forenoon, 52 serene Guatemala, about two-th"[
sold 6d. under last pale prices. Fine Indigo in some `Jr
mand, for Russia.
RUM, BRANDY, and HoLLaNns.—The reduction in elle
prices of Leeward Island attracts great attention, very er
tensive buyers showed themselves at 2s. for proof Ler
wards, but only one parcel was picked up at that rate;
the purchases et 2s. Id. are rather ettensiee, and two °r
three over have been disposed at that price. It is repo'a
that the contractors with Government have not yet Or
plied themselves with the requisite quantity for their
tracts; fine Jamaica Ruins continue scarce, and are at end
advancing prices; several sales are reported at 4s• 9°l
4s. 3d., and in some instances the holders will not sec
under 4s. 6d. In Brandy there are few purchases, ,f
favourable report of the vintage adds to the previousl",
heavy market. Geneva is lower. Further sales of DT)"
Rum, this afternoon, at 4s. Id. and 4s. 2d. the
Tosacco—The demand for Tobacco has revived;
purchases for the week ending last night inclusive, 61:4:
sist of about 200 }ids. chiefly for Lisbon. 100 bh,i,
Kentucky are reported at 31d. Virginia 3d. ; sts,
at 9s. 9d. and 100 Virginia at 225. per ICOlbs.
weight; several inconsiderable parcels to the trade are
ported.
MINING INTRLLIGENCE.—TRURO, MAY 26..".."(411A811;
tity ottCopper Ore sold 2,711 tons, average produce 81'4
quantity of fine Copper 232 tune, 10 cwt. Amount

sale 18,4991. le. ; average standard 1111. 11s.
BRALIL WOOD.—By public sale, on account of the
Brazil Government, 150 tons, was all taken in at 551.
COCOA.—By public sale Grenada Cocoa sold 455. a 609,

We have the pleasure of announcing till
Commodore the Lord Yarborough having 104.4'1
on his Majesty as patron of the Club, to solic!s
some mark of his Royal favour towards it, lila
Majesty, with his usual condescension, repeats 9
his well known attachment to the Club, andellie
pleased to direct that a Gold Cup, 01 4
value of one hundred guineas, be mired for,11'Ys l
the yachts of the Royal Club annually on '„
Birth-day, the 12th of August. Such all incee
tive cannot fail to be a powerful addition to tb
other numerous attractions, which tempt f
noble and affluent to visit this delightful part °,
the kingdom. As we some weeks since surd
limed, the inhabitants of Cowes have determloea
to renew their expression of grateful respect.
the Members of the Royal Yacht Club, whic,
was so favourably received last year, and a sPle°
did gold cup is preparing for the purpose."'
Southampton Herald.

Ev.iqvii.Entifr:qvauyaa,rrleiaa:msseetic;ot-nJsdot
MARRIED. - Scoi;
lrie,niea'tst,,,ghtloVteeriltimoisfsinste-, Georg e .-ii 0;
.0n Saturday, at Stonehouse Phebe.Chapthele
Esq., Cromer, Norfolk. rd i'
miner, aged 40, to Mrs. Frances, a blooming vvl The
aged eighty-one ! their united ages making 121. big to
"youthful" bride was so infirm that she was 091' esell
walk to the altar without the assistance of a friend on
_...
side to support her.
__________........................../
lmatrem AD. i.topc:iest.'eci'D'ev:ll',

Lately, at his house, DPairElcD-Place, Blackheath,
Hamer, aged 70. ree'
On the 28th inst., Air. Colin Sharpe, of Fitzroy-1-
in hie 70th year. Of
On Sunday, at his residence, Herne-hill, Dultric•l' f
au inflammation in the chest, Wm. Prior, Esc,., 15" °
Smyrna, in his 52d year. der, of
Same day, at a Yell advanced a" Mrs' Gro
Highgate
Patrusu and PUBLISHTD by g. YOUNG., at tun
Syr-omo, No, 1111, Stria,