Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-04-30

DEFERRED ARTICLES. A
GEORGE G.. READ.

The Richmond Wing, gives the fol-
lowing account Of the outrageous con-
duct of Captain George e.. Read, late
Commander of the United States Fri
gate Constellation. We hope, for the
honor of the Service to which he belongs,
that it may not be true. The Govern
ment ought Immediately to examine into
the case, and if one half prove true,
strike the name of Read, from the Navy
Roll
"It is the town talk at Norfolk, that
when the Constellation was on her pas
sage TO the Mediterranean, in the mid
die Of the Atlantic, Midshipman Wilson
(son of the late Senator from New-Jer-
sey, whose mother was lately reformed Il
M mode Jackson, from Post Office in
New-Jersey,) was triced up, in nauti-
cal phrase, to the mast head. Tied
with bowIine and craned up. A hea-
Wy gale was blowing at the iime--the
Frigate pitching and wallowing, with
three reefs in her topsal, and this shame
iuI outrage was committed on Mdship-
man Wilson, at the imminent hazard of
his brains being knocked out by the roll
ling Of the ship. MIR. Wilson's offence
seems to have been in the inverse ratio
of his punishment. Captain Read asked
him--"Mr. Wilson, have you ordered
the men from belowW 81 have, sir"
"Y on have not, sr-you look iDsolent--.
go alolt and look out at the mast head
for land" Tin the midst OF the Atlantic }
MIR. Wilson replied--"At such a time
as this, it can only be for punishment,
will not go" The Boatswain, by or
der of Captain Read, seized MIR. Viii
son by the collar, and with the assistance
of two Quarter Masters, forced him up
the fore rigging. In short time he!
came down Then it was, that Read
ordered him to be trced up. The sal
lors, noble souls as they always are,
shocked ut the outrage, ran below TO the
gun deck, nor would they lend Il hand,
! until being threatened and dragooned,
! the instinct of discipline overcame their
horror, and they aided in running up
| Mr.. Wilson to the yard-arm. Still far
thcr to disgrace this unfortunate youth,
he was Immediately after being released,
placed under the sentry's charge, for
ID hours, in close confinement.
"We understand these facts can be
verified by the officers of the Constella-
tion. The present is unquestionably,
the greatest outrage ever committed IN
the American Navy. Why have they
not been reported TO the Navy Depart
ment? For very sufficient reason
complaints lodged there against the same
officer, remain unnoticed. Why? aye
there's the rub. Because certain officers
of the Navy, forgetlul Of its renown have
learned to play the Aatteror and the,
courtier, and because Power ever has
been, and ever will be, propitiated,
soothed and won, by the detestable arts
which counters und fatterers know how
to employ.
"Ihis is the second outrage that Reed
has committed of this nature. His first
was upon descendant of DR.. Franklin.
His insulting and domineering deport-
ment to the officers, is of the most intol-
cradle character, and the more intolera.
Bile, that he is not an American. Wei
feel ourselves, at our distance, the gall
of such indignities inflicted upon the de-
sccndants Of revolutionary patriots, by
any man or set of men, the more espe-
cially by those who are not Americans.
\ "And now, if these are facts-and
that they are, there can be no manner
of doubt-will not the President order a
Court of Inquiry, and the facts being
found, dismiss Reed from the service?-l
So much he owes to the Navy, the
country, aud his reputation"