Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-06-11
TRIAL OF COMMODORE ELLIOTT

CouRr MAarIAL.-This tribunal, says the
u. S. Gazette of Tuesday, met yesterday
morning, and almost Immediately adjourned,
in order to afford Com. Elliott--the evidence
on the part of the prosecution being closed
an opportunity to prepare his defence, which
will probably be commenced this morning.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Howard sworn.
Was first lieutenant of the Constitution in
1887. A man named David Floyd was pun
ished with two dozen lashes, about the 9th
of August in that year. Witness thought
there was an unusual and irregular expendi-
ture of stores while he was first lieutenant !;
he spoke on the subject to Captain Booream,
who directed him to make out list of the
stores so expended. They were applied to
Commodore Ell!ott's use, and consisted of
nails, glue, iron, steel, &c.
Chaplain Lambert showed witness his or
ders to leave the ship, and expressed great
modification at the manner in which he was
ordered away. He left the ship about even
ing-the Shark about or 7 miles distant
from the frigate under way; the weather va
riable and squally. A few days after Chap
lain Lambert sent witness an official account
of his removal which witness sent to Captain
Booream.
" ltueSS Was Icquiieu Wy SouhoCi III IhC
accused to produce his copy of the "black
book or record of punishment made when
he was first lieutenant. Witness had no
objection, but begged leave to represent that
1t might implicate other persons.
Thecourt eventually decided that it should
be produced, it appearing that to some extent
the book was original.
Lieut.. Bulls sworn. We give the testimo-
ny of this witness at large, as reported for the
Philadelphia Ledger: :.
We were at sea off Lisbon when Capt
Booream informed me that it was the COM
modore's wish that we should go on shore at
Lisbon, and purchase the plate-the crew
having previously written letter requesting
US to do so. The day after anchoring in the
Iagus, Capt. Booream and myself went on
shore for that purpose. We stopped at the
consul's house on our way, who went with
MS among the silversmith's shops to purchase
the articles wanted-we went in number.
Atiast Captain Booream and Mr.. lIutchin-
son, after much consultation, selected a pair
OF urns, pitcher, and some other articles not
recollected--I knew thatabout $500 had been
subscribed for the purchase of this plate-and
also knew that the number of pieces that they
had selected could not be paid for with dou-
bic the money they had subscribed. / did
not, and so stated to Captain Booream, feel
authorised to accede to the purchase. A day
or two after this, the commodore sent for me
in the cabin, his secretary was present; he
told me that certain pieces of plate had been
purchased, and as the sum subscribed would
not pay for them he requested that would
make the fact known to the crew, and there
oy enable them to carry their intention into
effect. This proposition embarrassed me a
good deal, and stated my reluctance to the
commodore to engage in any such matter !;
that being the LIST lieutenant of the ship, it
would not look well for me to do so; to
which he acceded.
The commodore's secretary came to me the
following day for information as to the RIGHT
tack to raise another subscription. directed
him to the petty officers and to gunner ON
the quarter deck. l saw him go among them
tor that purpose, and have reason to think
that he went eventually to the master-at-arms.
A few days after, the commodore asked me
how the subscription was progressing. told
him would inquire, and sent for the master
alarms, who told me that nothing as vet had
been subscribed.
told him to bear hand, get the names as
sooon as possible, and let me have the list.
In day or two he brought it to me, and I
look 1t to the captain, who ordered me to take
Tito the Purser. Com. Elliott directed me to
send an officer on shore with some of the pet
~ officers among the subscribers to the plate,
10 bring 1t on board the ship, arrange it on
the berth deck for exhibitions, and after the
crew had seen it, have it put on the side5oard
In the cabln-all of which was done. know
nothing farther of this matter.