The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-07
From a LiperpooL Paper.


CHARGE OF PIRAcY.-On Saturday morning Mr.
Ogden the United States Consul, took his seat the
bench with Mr.. Rushton and Mr. Hough,on. Thomas
Allan, native Of the United States placed at the
bar Inspector Branch stated that he had that morn
ing taken the prisoner into custody, at the instance OF
Captain Barney, a charge Of having committed MUIR
der on the high seas.
Mr.. Ogden said, the prisoner was charged with pra-
cy Mr.. Ogden called upon Captain Barney to stand
forward and state his case.
Mr.. John W. Barney stated, that, on the first OF
February last, he commander Of the United States
ship General Parkhl, which then lay at anchor cons
derable distance from land off the coast Of Florida
About four o'clock in the afternoon, the second mate
attacked him with water cask bin and knocked him
down He was severely stunned, and know not how
long he continued insensiblc. When he came to him
SELF he found the the top Of him with drawn
knife. The mate held arm, but he had the other
liberty, and with il he had defended himself from the
blows aimed BY the knife well he could; he strug
gled severely but received stabs IN several places,
amongst which in his and in his side.
He called loudly for help, tut not soul in the ship
gave him any assistance. few minutes after he came
to himself, he six Of the standing along side
Of him. They were six Of the crew whom the mate
had instgaed to assist him, and who in conspi-
racy to kill him Captain Barney and seize the vessel
He heard the mate call them by name when he (he
Captan) calling for assistance. The prisoner was
Of those At length he got free, and seized
muske which was at hand II was not PINNED, and he
retreang his cabin and about to prime the mus
ket when they rushed at him. seized him, and confined
him in the fore.cabin When the shipped,
all arms were removed from the vessel but they had,
by or other, got all armed He (the Cap
ain) was standing in the forc-cabin when the mate
came in with his captain Barney's) sword cane with
this he witness through the eshy part Of his side,
beneath his right shoulder, pnning him up against the
cabin wall In this position, unable either to sit down
to draw out the weapon he renamed nailed. it
were the woodwork, till next day nine o'clock.
Not content however, with thus transhxing him, Of
them previous to their departure, fired musko a, him.
the ball from which just glanced passed his They
hundred dollars, the ships compass, silver mounted
Powder-horn, all the captains effects and many other
articles belonging to the
In reply to questions from Mr.. Rushon, the captain
SAID, the vessel was an American vessel manned by
American sailors and she lay in the Gulf Of Florida
upwards Of nine miles from land
Mr. Rushton, having consulted certain authorities,
sad he sorry that he had not jurisdiction, as the
case one Of a most atrocious description lie had
no jurisdiction any where the admiral hsd no.
jurisdiction. II appeared from the Commentaries OF
Chancellor Kent, that the law similar IN America
The captain said two more OF the offenders were AZ
that moment in custody in New YORK, ana 'hey were
only waiting his return TO have them tired
Il was minated, Of course without any knowledge OF
the fact by the magistrate that the Oxord packet ship
would sail on the following day Mr. Rushton said. he
had no mower to detan the prisoner he must be dis
charged Tho prisoner looked greatly ea,cd on hear
inc his intelligence. He permitted leave the
dock. and was discharged from English custody He
was no sooner out Of the frying pan, however, than he
found himself in the fire. He was taken possession OF
BY the Consul and Captain Barney, and three Of
police-offcers accompanied them down to the Ok
ford, JUST 10 see that The peace Was not broken.