The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-29

ished yesterday the statement oil three lndlvldu-
ais accusing Capt. Rogers of great cruelty to-
wards one of his men, we feel it due to that per-
son, and to justice, to submit to the public the
following rebutting statement of that transac-
ton.
From the .Nt,o York Commercial advertiser
CAPTAIN RoGERs.-It will be seen by the fol-
lowing statement from Captain Rogers, of the
whale-ship Beaver, that the horrible story CO.
pied into this paper from the Troy Mail on Mon
day, charging Captain r. with the atrocious
crime of throwing man overheard, purposely
that he might be devoured by cannibals, was in
every essential and criminal particular false
The present statement has been handed to us by
the owners of the Beaver with whom are
acquainted They bear the most unqualified
testimony to the good character of Capt. Rogers,
and their word to us IS ample. The three ac-
cusers of Captain r. are not to be found.
L. S. CIRCUIT COURT.
In the matter of the arrest of Capt. w. J. Ro-
gers, master of the whaling ship Beaver, Of
Hudson, charged with leaving John Brown on
shore at Savage Island.
A charge having been preferred against me,
the undersigned, for leaving John Brown ashore
on Savage island, in October, 1887, for which
offence | b:ve been arrested, l deem it to be a
duty to myself and the proprietors of the ship /
commanded to give detailed statement of all
the circumstances connected with the conduct Of
Brown, and his going on shore at the above
land.
For many months previous to the 9th of Oc-
tober, 1887, Brown had been greatly dissatisfied
with the ship, her officers, and crew, and had
repeatedly been guilty of mutinous and disorder
~ conduct. On one occasion he proposed to some
members of the crew, to desert the ship in one of
her boats, and landing to inhabit one of the
islands then in our vicinity. On another he at
tempted to incite the third mate to take pos
session of the ship and sail her into port OF land
on some one of the islands; and frequenty threat
ened to leave the ship the first Opportunity that
Offered. Having been detected in these various
dangerous mutinies, and threats, he was seized
by my orders and put in irons and confined, until
he went on shore, which was three days after
wards.
The circumstances OF his going ashore at Saw
age island, and remaining there, were simply
these. Brown had repeatedly expressed desire
to settle upon one of the Pacific islands, and was
anxious to leave the ship, and requested per-
mission to land. Upon arrival at Savage
island he renewed his request, and desired to be
released from his confinement and set on shore.
He was brought from the cabin, and after re-
ceiving supply Of tobacco and wearing appa-
rel, and other articles, and taking leave of the
crew, he voluntarily got into the boat, and left
the ship without coercion from any one. Pre-
discharge, which is as follows =
E'Ship Beaver, Oct 81, 1887.
q This is to certify that have this day been
discharged, by my own request and consent, from
the ship Beaver, of Hudson, Capt William J.
Rogers, master, and that have gone on shore
at my own request JOHN BROWN.
Savage Island, situated in lat. 10 south, long.
ITO west, is one of the group Of Friendly Islands;
at which group vessels engaged in the whale
~I,ot- ,-,J &ha IatNT cf
stopping for refreshment and supplies, and OPP
portunities are thus frequently offered for persons
landing there to return.
MY conduct in this transaction am willing 10
have Judged my dissatisfaction with the con
duct OF Brown / am equally willing to admit
for / conceived it to be of so criminal charac-
ter, that caused mm to be placed in irons, thus
to desroyEhis power to commit the higcst crime
known to cur laws and / should have kept him
in confinement until, by repentance, he had be-
come better, was sent to America Tor trial
But he chose rather to trust himself and fate to
the mercies of the inhabitants of Savage island,
than to return and be tried by the laws of his
country. WILLIAM ). ROGERS,
Master Of ship Beaver, Of Hudson.
City and county of New York, IS. William
]. Rogers, being duly sworn, doth depose and
say that the above statement signed by him is in
ali respects true. WILLIAM ]. ROGERS,
Sworn before me this 18th day of May, 1910.
j. EAPALJE, ". >. Comm
| We certify that we have heard the above
statement, signed by W.. Rogers, master of the
ship Beaver, of Hudson, read, and that we be-
lieve it to be true, from our own personal know
| ledge or from information derived from others.
| ID. LANSING, first mate,
! GEORGE ALLEN, cooper,
ISAAC BURGEN, boatsteerer,
Dated May 20, 1910.
AS an act of justice request ali those papers
which have given publicity to the charge against
me, TO copy the above refutation.
WILLIAM J. ROGERS.