The Portland gazette., 1819-01-05

were admitted as witnesses in behalf of the
government They stated, that the schoo.
ner Plattsburg, owned at baltimore, soiled
from that port about the lst OF July, 1916
bound 10 Smyrna, having on board 600
lbaes of coffee, lew other articles, and a
bout AZ, 900 dollars in specie THAT the
schooner was commanded by William
Hackett: that Thomas Baynard Vas the
supercargo, Frederick ]. Gusoa lst mate,
Stephen b. Onion, 2d mate; with seven
men before the mast, OF whom We're the
/ FIVE persons on trial. That at the moment
of their sailing from the Capes 1--WE now co
py from the PatrioO there had been dis
pute between the master and John Williams,
one of the defendants, which however was
soon guieted. They pursued their voyage
until the 22d July,when being off the island
of Madeira, an attempt was made, IN which
| Williams was the chief agent, TO poison
| the master, mate and supercargo, bot ow-
| ing to some derangementinl in tie plan, It tail
| ed A day or two alter they made the
| Western Islands, and then it was proposed
to seize on the officers as they were taking
an observation ofthe sun, and embark them
into the boat, that they might land on oae
of the islands. For this purpose Williams
carried cord in his bosom TO bind the
| Captain, but the hearts Of his associates fail
ing them, he desised from the project.
Son the oath day of July, at midnight,
being then about 100 miles from land blow
ing Very strong, cry was made from the
forecas le by Rog or Williams, that there
was sail under the bow ; upon which the
MAZE and I'd mate ran forward, when the
mate was knocked down by one oil the mu-
tineers about the same time the I'd mate
received blow, whice he supposed at first
might be caused by the Tapping OF the Jib,
but he was directly after seized by Williams
who exclaimed, here Is one OF the dssnned
rascals." The captain making his appear
anc al this instant, Williams lef: his hold
on Onion, and attacked him. Onion di-
rectly made for the cabin, and concealed
| him self in the bread locker, whence he heard
the crew call upon the supercargo IN an
angry tone, 10 rspaig Immediately on deck,
| g Sammerson, who was stated TO have
! been TIL this time below In his birth, was
ordered ON deck, saw the supercargo, Mr..
| Baynard, laying on his back apparently
dead. In few moments Williams, Roe,
and Peterson, came down into the cabin Ia
search Of Onion. Immediately consul
tation was held whether his lIss should be
spared it was finally determined that it
! should be spared, provided he should take
an oath OF fidelity and he was thus admit
ted member Of this neiarlous fraternity.
Stromner one OF The crew, was then APP
pointed master, Williams mate, and Onion
was continued as betoIe On the succeed
| ing morning the specie was brought on
deck and divided by haas and tin pots, a.
bout $4,000 TO a share, OF which Onion was
directed aud did consent to receive his pro
portion A second consultation was held,
and il was decided tha, they should shape |
their course for Norway. Onion was EN- |
ployed to alter the invoices and letters con-
signing The cargo to Mr.. Myers, Of Ham |
burg. Williams altered the log book 10 |
correspond
" Shortly after their arrival at Norway; |
Onion, Williams, Rog, and Sammerson,
left The schooner, after dividing The clothes |
Of the murdered men, and look passage for
tASy HdAShaS@0
chandize, with intent 70 appear a. traders !;
but suspicious circumstances unfolding
themselves, directions were given Tor their
apprehension, which was accordingly done.
part Of the specie and coffee, with the
vessel, have been recovered,
q" The prisoners on trial, With other oil /
the crew, arrived within ibis District in No |
yember last, in The Hornet, despatched by |
the President for this purpose The Cir
cult Court being then In session, the Grand |
Jury were called IN, and they preferred five
bills against these defendants for the mur-
der OF William Hachett, the master, of
Frederick Eugleheart Yeizer, mate, and |
Thomas Baynaid, supercargo, fourth for.
piracy, and fifth for revolt The prisoners
were tried on the indictment Tor murder Of
Thomas Baynard.
''Thc defence set up by their Counsel
rested on three points; lst, that there was
no proof oil the death of the master, mae,
and supercargo; I'd, that cow scGions ought
not to be had uponthe sole testimony ot &C
comphces and Sd, that neither OF the piis
oners, and especially White, had bsen den-
tilted as principals il the death OF Baynarc."
1t Is well known that during the late
Indian war, two Indians, viz chiei nam
ed HelDattenico, who commanded the party
that destroyed Lieut.. Scott and his men, and