Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-09-22
From the .NlLc-IOrk Gazpttp

From tie .Nsm- FORK Gazptre.
An inaccurate statement having sp,
peared in some Of the papers, relative 10
the Iae unhappy PAUL Posi-, master Of
the ship Union, fiom Greenock, we are
requested to publish the following cOrcsc:
pa tcuIars:
The .hip Union, capt. Post. sailed f.
Grecnock on the l9:h Of July. About tt.
I'd ct August, capt. P. caught a sever.
cold, which continued for ten days, five
days Of which time. it was not known
that he took either meat or drink, except
a little water. About this time, it was
discovered that his mental faculties were
impaired. On the 18th of August, at
midnight, he called tor Mr.. Charles Lit.
tie, The FIRST mate, and on his appearing
below. capt. =. told HIM that " it was
nav coming nea9 a point. that his gas
was run, That he had been uHfO'tanatt,
and was the poorest man IN Inc ship
and uttered other incUheien expressions.
The mate being now fully convinced Of
his INSANITY, endeavored to appease him
by kind expressions, advising him to 20
to his birth, etc. which he refused to do
Capt. P. low demanded the long-boat, in
which he said he should die in peace
The mate refused, of course, and oprs-
vent him from escaping, nailed down The
cabin window. This enraged capt. P.
aud the mate was obliged to open the
window again. Al this time The mate re,
turned to his duty on deck. The steward
was then called 10y capt. Post, to trim the
lamp. and give him some drink. Shert-
" alter he called the steward again, and
ordered hun to call up Mr. Alexander
Rennie, 4 cabin passenseA Nj. Rennie
Jumped OUT OF his birth, and seated him
sell on trunk opposite where capt. Post
sat. Capt. P. said, /" l merely called you,
Mr.. Rennia, to bid you good b'e." ihls
armed Mr.. r. who said 10 the steward.
L" What does our captain mean - The
steward being much alarmed, was unable
to speak. At this moment capt. 7. selz-
ed pistol, aud pointed it at Mr.. Rem
ME, who Instantly made Tor the cOmpa'
nion way, crying murder! murder by
the time Mr.. r. reached the foot q
the stars. the pistol wa, discharged, and
the swan-shot with which it was loaded,
went through the bulk-head, and lodged
in the trunk of a steerage passenger. pas
Sing very near the head OF woman VINO
was in bed with her two children. IDS
produced much confusion among the pas
,engers and crew, who were appreheh"
sive that capt p. having other fire arms,
etc. would commit some dreadful act
As soon as possible, Miss Mary M'Gat-
fee, Daniel Campbell, Cd mate and the
stewa d, rushed out of the cabin, q shut
the door after them, to prevent, II posi-
bic, any further mischief In lew MI"
nutes after, the whole oil the crew, in al.
tempting to 20 into the cabin, found tEaI
the light was out, and the cabin llll o.
smoke. Having obtained another ligh''
they entered tie cabin, but discovered
that the captain was gone, as well as M
pistol he had just before discharged
rhe cabin window being epen, lett DO
doubt of his having made his escape tnFo
it, but at what particular moment was
not known, as several minutes had cap
sed between the time Of firing the pistol
and the crews entering the cabin ils
ship at this time was going at the rate VI
four or five knots an hour.
Previous to this event, no man, per-
haps, ever supported better character
than captain Post.
Mr.. Rennie and Miss M'Guffie, return
their sincere thanks to MIR. Charles h''
tie, aud the Steward, for their attention
to them after the above melancholy eatas'
trophe.