The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-06
Mfstsllamsous.
THE SAILOR IN COURT.

You have already stated that the wind shift
ed IN the evening What time did the wind
shift ~
The latter part Of the dog watch replied the|
|,vitness.
: ! ask not during which dogs watch il was
ny question refers to time What hour was ID
when the wind shifted9
about three bells
Three O'Clock, eh2'
i never said three O'clock returned the witt
ness, marking the lawyers mistake. Il said
hree beiis--hafpast in the four to six watch
reiterated Waddy. What precious specifca-|
tion of time Well, then, sir, at three bells.
Greasy looking to the sowSwest. Sun tool
looked wild and watery. Any one with half an|
EYE could seed breeze was brewn,'
when the Lady Elizabeth cast anchor did
she take up position properly apart from the|
Prince of WalesY
She did, but
Come, no butts, sir-answer the question dill
rect
Well, then, say, when one takes into ac-|
count the circumstances as might deceive the|
best man in taking up distance, must say as|
the barque might ave taken up ioOrse BERTH
s In what way could that deception arise p
why, from our buoy not watching at theI
time
3 The boy not watching at the time-lazy dog!I
The murders coming OUT said Waddy, exult-|
ngy, and then requiring the witness to reply
direct to the next question which he was about
TO put to him, and above all, to be cautious of
prevaricaton, he thus proceeded
ask you, sir, as a seaman, on your oath,
would matters have gone the icrong way with
the Prince Of Wales had there been a proper
watch upon deck p
The absurdity of this question, added to the|
pompous declamatory tone in which it was de-
livered, excited so much OF noise and mirth|
amongst the nautical portion of the auditory that
1t became necessary toeject from Court,a coupled
of Sunderland shippers Upon the restoration
of order, and the repetition of the question: the|
witness replied
There was watch upon deck
MY Lud,' said Waddy, turning to the bench, \
this is positively the grossest piece of prevari-
cation l ever met with. Do you persist in swear
ing,' he continued, interrogatng the Witness
that proper watch had been on deck when the|
wind shiftedp
: do, said the mate in firm and emphatc|
tone.
Come you here, sir, to insult common sense2
Is il possible you possess effrontery sufficient to
tell those intelligent gentlemen (pointng TO the|
Xjury) that in a vessel situated as the Prince of
Wales was-bad weather coming on withal-
the watch should have devolved on dumb ami
NAL p
The witness looked blank.
DO you hear, sir p vociferated the bully.
81 doesn't understand you, replied the depo-
nent, with perfect composure.
The question was shaped anew
i ask you, sir, whether il was fitting to en-
trust vessel exposed to the elements, as well
as the privateers Of the enemy, to the vigilance
of dumb animal, to the Ddfch Of a dog?'
There was never dog aboard said the witt
mess bluntlv.
And yet, gentlemen of the jury, the witness|
has had the audacty to assert upon cath that the|
wind shifted during the latter part Of the Dogs
Watch
Bill, let's bolt,' said an auditor, addressing al
brother tar in the rear of the court by the|
Lord Harry, there's no standing that squintingI
beggar's lubberly lip
The Judge had already decided that the witt
ness was bound to state distinctly the descrip-
tiOn Of the watch which had been left upon
their briggs deck
The witness said, James Thompson, my
lord had charge of the deck during the whole of
the four-to six, watch A better seaman never
puddened an anchor, hauled out a weather ear
ring, or took lead or helm in hand.
Then how comes it, asked the lawyer of the|
witness, that this super-excellent seaman was|
not competent to prevent the lady Elizabeth
running aboard of the Prince as the boy of whom
you so much boast2 Some brat of his own,
added Waddy aside to the jury.
The witness not appearing to comprehend
the question, the judge directed Waddy to re-
peat il.
Il ask the witness, my lud if the boy whose|
dexterty in taking up distance he so much ex-
tolls, could have prevented the dangerous prox-|
Unity of the Lady Elizabeth to the Prince of
Wales-why, then, | ask, as a mere matter of
precaution, was not this matchless, quicksightedI
lad, put upon the watch
The mate remained mute.
Put il more directly, Mr.. Waddy,' said the|
Judge Waddy bowed TO the bench.
why was not the boy put upon the watch 81
Because 'twanted bleeding, was the acute|
reply.
Had you a surgeon in the ship2'
AT this question, the assumed gravity of the|
witness was put TO the test. 1t was with diff
Guilty he could refrain from laughing aloud-he
however answered in the negative.
No surgeon in the shipP
'Sartingly not
Then, how, sir can you take upon YOURSELF
70 give an opinion upon medical point,-Pray
sir, have you made physic well as seaman
ship, a study2
Il can't abide physic-I never took dose inI
my life
Then upon what grounds do you assert that
the boy wanted bleedingp
Cause twas full o. water.
Gracious heavens exclaimed Waddy with
extended arms-'was ever greater ignorance be-
trayed! My Lud, the jury never can receive|
such testimony. Who ever heard of resortingI
to depletion in dropsical case7'
say it again. reioned the witness, looking
Waddy full in the face, the buoy wanted iap-
ping.
'Never, never was there an instance of grosser|
prevaricaton! Note this gentlemen of the jury j
he first sweais that the boy wanted bleeding,
and now, that he finds himself in error, he turns|
from the operation Of bleeding to that of tap-l
pingp