Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1841-05-13


ing the witness TO reply direct to the
next question which he was about TO put
TO him, and above all TO be cautious of
prevaricatlon, he thus proceeded
81 ask you, sir, as seaman, on your
oath, would matters have gone the wrong
way with the Prince Of Wales had there
been proper watch upon deck?"
The absurdity Of this question, added
to the pompous declamatory tone in
which it was delivered, excited so much
OF noise and mirth amongst the nautical
portion Of the auditory, that 1t became
necessary to eject from Court couple OF
"skppers."-Upon the restoration ofor-
der, and the REPETITION Of the question, the
witness replied
"There was watch upon deck"
any Lud,r said Waddy, turning to the
bench, "tbis is positively the grossest
case Of preyaricationl ever met with
Do you persist in swearing" he continued,
Iinterrogating the witness, shat a proper
watch had been ON deck when the wind
shlfted?"
81 do" said the mate in a firm and en-
phatic tone.
"Come you here, sir, to insult common
sense? Is il possible you possess effron.
terry sufficient to tell these intelligent gen.
tlemen (poiniing to the jury that in
vessel situated as the Prince OF Wales
was-bad weather coming on wlthal---
the watch should have devolycd on dumb
animal !"
The witness looked blank.
"Do you hear sir2" yociferated the
bully.
81 don't understand you" replied the
deponent quickly, but with perfect com.
posture.
The question was shaped anew.
81 ask you, sir, whether it was fitting
to entrust vessel exposed to the ele-
ments as we'll as the privateers Of the
enemy, to the vigilance Of dumb animal,
to the ,catch Of dog"
"There never was a dog aboard" said
the witness bluntly.
Sand yet gentlemen Of the jury, the
witness has the audacity TO assert upon
oath that the wind shifted during the lat
ter part of the Dogs Watch"
"BiII, let's boIt,n said an auditor ad-
dressing brother tar in the rear of the
Court. "By the lord Harry, there's no
standing that squirting beggar's lubber-
ly lip.
The Judge had already decided that
witness was bound to state distinctly
the description Of the watch which had
been left on the 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 weather earring, or took
lead or helm in hand"
"Tben how comes it," asked the law
yer, ''that this super-excellent seaman
was not as competent to prevent the Lady
Elizabeth running aboard of the Prince, as
boy Of whom you so much boast OFF,
("Some brat Of his own'')-said Waddy,
aside.
The witness not appearing to compre-
bend the question, the Judge directed
Waddy to repeat it.I
81 ask the witness, my lud, if the boy
whose dexterity in taking up distance
he so much extols, could have prevented
the dangerous proximity Of the Lady Eliz-
abeth 10 the Prince Of Wales--why then,
| ask, as mere matter of precaution, vas
not this matchless, quicksighted lad put
upon the watch"
The mate remained mute.
"Put the question more directly, Mr.
Waddy,n said the Judge.
Waddy bowed TO the bench, and pro-
ceeded--
"Why was not the boy put uSpn the
watch?"
"Cause 'twanted bleeding was the &C
ute reply.
clad you any surgeon on board the
shipT
At this question, the assumed gravity
of the witness was put TO the test 1t was
with difficulty he could refrain from laugh.
7 ing aloud; he, however, answered in the
negative.
"No surgeon in the shipm
"Sarlingly not"
"Then how sir, can you take upon
yourself to give an opinion upon modl
cal point. Pray sir, have you made
physic, as well as seamanshp a studyP
; 81 cant abide physc-l never took
dose in my life"
"Then upon what grounds do you as
, sert that the boy wanted bleedingp
"Cause twas full Of water"
! "Gracious heavensm exclaimed Wad
/ dy with extended arms, ''was ever great
erignorance betrayed, My lord, the iu
ry never can receive such testimony
Who ever heard Of rosorting to depletion
in dropsical caseP
Il say it again rojoined the witness
, looking Waddy full in the face, the buoy