The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-21
From the Boston Post
DESPERATE MUTINY AT SEA.

DESfEhAlE MI Tiny "A II. SEA.
On Saturday, nine seamen brough. before Judge
Davis, upon The complaint Of E. Smith, Jr, Acting
District Attorney, charging them with mutny at sea-
in February last. Their names are Richard Musserder
James I. Armstrong, Charles Stone, William Collins
Robert Crooks, John Tlton, John Winchester. John
Johnson, and John Brighton From several deposit
lions forwarded by Robert H. Hunter, u S. Consul at
Cowes the following facts disclosed In January
last the ship Ulysses sailed from Baltimore Amser-
dam, with cargo Of tobacco and slaves The crew
consisted Of the captain Henry Gait two mates, ten
able bodied men before the mast and steward and cook
lin all fifteen. On the evening Of Feb 10th, while
the nine prisoners named above, below, heavy
sqnall arose, and the male ordered them on deck to
take in sail They refused to obey the order and gave
for reason that they did not get food enough The
repeated his order and they again refused unless
he would agree that in future their allowance Of vctuas
should be increased.
The mate refused to make any such condition, and
reported their proposition the captain who directed
him to 90 below and fetch up the rnglesder, but when
he went down he found them prepared for deadly
sstance, and determined not to permit Brighton their
q spokesman to be taken tn the meantime Captain
Gait had armed himself with a cutass and placed
brace Of pistols in the galley derner resort. The
mate having reported his inability Brighton,
the captain, armed with his cuias, went below aud
there found Brighton with pistol, and Collins with
HEAVIER, and the others with knives. lie attempted to
lay hold Of Collins, but was knocked down. wounded
to his assistance, and snapped his pistol which missed
fire. He called out to the steward for more priming
! and Collins replied, I" Fire and be damned We have
as many pistols as you have" Collins then pointed
bis pistol
The mates finding that they could not contend with
the muneers used all their exertions to release the
captain and with the assistance Of the steward drag
ged him on deck all covered with blood. The mutt
did not attempt TO follow and taking advantage
of this circumstance, the officers suddenly fastened
down the forecastc hatch They farther secured it by
mailing three inch plank across, and slowing portion
Of the chain cable upon IT, Thus they were confined
and kept upon bread and water, day after day At
length they became clamorous for an increased allow
ance OF water and threatened 10 burst from their
uncomfortable prison. The captain replied that he
would shoot them man by man il they attempted TO
break out and as they satisfied OF his sincerity,
they gave up the plan. The captain then increased
their allowance Of water to three pnis day. lie also
ordered the mate 70 propose them 10 return TO Their
duty, but they demanded conditions, and the captain
would enter into none whatever, and the negotiation
was broken of He put into the port Of Cowes, and
reported the state Of his 10 the consul, who upon
examination, sanctioned his proceedings and sent the
mutineers as prisoners, with HIM 10 nsefdam. where
they were transferred to guard-ship The Ulysses
sailed for Baltimore and the vessel at Amsterdam
bound 10 an American port being the York, Captain
Larabee the prisoners were put on board Of her, and
brought to the port of Boston, on Friday last
Among the dispositions, one by the steward re-
spectng The provisions served out and according TO his
statement, the bill OF fare capital for sailor grub
Upon this statement Of the facts the prisoners were
committed for trial the October term Of the IT, s.
Circuit Court