Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-01
CUTTING OFF A FIGURE HEAD.
To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette.


analogy to a recent transaction in this country
that am surprised to find that it has not been
copied into any OF our newspapers. Had this
transaction at Boston taken place year SOON
er, il might be supposed that the author had ia
ken the hint from it.
In order that those who have not read the
book may understand the point of the story, it
is necessary to say that Peter was first lieuten-
ant of the brig Rattlesnake; her commander,
Captain Hawkins, was natural son OF Peters
uncle whose wrath Peter had incurred, ana
Captain Fl. was instigated by his father not on
ly to render Peter uncomfortable, but to get him
out of the service, by fair means or foul
The Rattlesnake was ordered up the Baltlc,
TO CONVOY merchantmen, and while on her way
there encountered Dutch brig, with which she
had an engagement and the Dutchman was
ready to haul down his coors when Captain
Hawkins ordered the Rattlesnake to be put
about.
The description of the battle is contained in
the Sd volume, chapter Is, and is worth publish
ing entire; but if you cannot spare room for it,
portions Of the 18th chapter will suffice 10 eX-
plain the incident alluded to. SPUN YARN.
81 mentioned before, that when Swinburne
Joined us at Plymouth, he had recommended
figure-head being put on the brig. This had
been done at O'Bren's eXpense-not in the
cheap way recommended by Swinburne, but in
very handsome manner. 1t was large snake
coiled up in folds, with its head darling out in
menacing attitude, and the tail, with its rattle,
appeared below. The whole was gilded and
had very good effect; but after the dock-yard
men had completed the repairs, and the brig
was painted, one night the head Of the Rattle
snake disappeared. II had been sawed off by
some malicious and evil-disposed persons, and
no traces of it were to be found.
Twas obliged to report this to the captain, who
was very indignant, and offered twenty pounds
for the discovery of the offender; but, had he
offered twenty thousand, he never would have
found out the delinquent. Ii was, however, ne
yer forgotten; for he understood what was i'm
piled by these maneuvres. A new head was
carved, but disappeared the night after it was
fixed on.
The rage of the captain was without bounds:
he turned the hands up, and declared that il the
offender was not given up he would Hog every
hand on board He gave the ships company
ten minutes, and then prepared TO execute his
threat. Mr.. Paul, turn the hands up for pu-
nishment," said the captain, in rage, and de-
scended 10 his cabin for the articles of war
When he was down below, the officers talked
over the matter. To fog every man for the
crime of one, was the height of injustice; but
it was not for us to oppose him: still the ships
company must have seen, in our countenances,
that we shared their feelings. The men were
talking with each other in groups, until they all
appeared to have communicated their ideas on
the subject. The carpenters, who had been
slowly bringing aft the gratngs, left OIL the
Job; the boatswain's mates, who had come aft,
rolled the tails of their cats round the red han
dies; and every man walked down below. No
one was left on the quarterback but the ma
rines under arms and the officers.
Perceiving this, desired Mr.. Paul. the boat
swain, to send the men up to rig the gratings,
and the quarter masters with their settings. He
came up, and said that he had called them, but
Matt mi pcrcpiVinp
ships company would break out into open mu-
tiny, if the captain persisted in his intention,
went down into the cabin, and told the captain
the state Of things, and wished for his orders, or
presence on deck.
The captain, whose wrath appeared to rem
der him incapable of reflection, Immediately
proceeded on deck, and ordered the marines to
load with ball cartridge. This was done; but
as | was afterwards told by Thompson, who
was standing aft, the marines loaded with pow
der, and put the balls into their pockets. Yhey
wished TO keep up the character OF their corps
for fidelity, and at the same time not hre upon
men whom they loved as brothers, and with
whom they conceded in opinion. Indeed, we
afterwards discovered that it was murine who
had taken off the head Of the snake a second
time.
The captain then ordered the boaswain to
turn the hands up. The boatswan made his
appearance with his right arm in a sling
said |, as he passed me.
"Tumbled down the hatchway just now
can't move my arm; must go to the surgeon
as soon as this is over"
The hands were piped up again, but no one
obeyed the order. Thus was the brig in state
of mutny. "Mr. Simple, go forward to the
main hatchway with the Marines and fire on
the lower deck" cried the captain.
"Sir" said |, "there are two frigates within
a cables length Of US; and would it not be bet
ter to send for assistance, without shedding
blood? Besides, sir, you have not yet tried the
effect Of calling up the carpenters and boat
swain's mates by name. Will you allow me to
go down first, and bring them to sense of their
duty7'
"Yes, sir presume you know your power;
but of this hereafter"
l went down below, and called the men by
name
Sir" said one Of the boatswain's mates
{" the ships company say that they will not SUBJ
NIT to be logged"
81 do not speak to the ships company gene
rally, Collins" replied I; but you are now or