The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-20
Marine Court.
Before Judge Hammond.

Fee. 1S.-IYiuiam BoneH VS.. Henry Schrierer and
IViiam Harding-- This was case Of apparently
great cruelty aud assault at sea- the damages laid
at $500 The defendants are the captain and first
mate Of the ship Henry Clay, on board Of which the
plaintiff, who is a white man, and is said deserv.
ing shipped as steward, while she lay at New Or
leans: IN June June last to 60 On voyage to Cuba.
plaintiff became sick with the climate fever, and
was sent to the hospital, but taken away more dead
than alive, the day before the Henry Clay sailed
board the ship. Here commenced series of out.
RACES upon him. las the Counsel remarked UMPIRE ce-
denied in the annals Of cruelty AT MatanzAs,
although so sick that he could hardly stand, he was
to the the d-son Of b-,he don't half work
there-at which the latter took out his knife, cut
off piece OF rope, went up, and beat the plaintiff
most severely, standing on the rigging and giving
HIM Is or 20 blows. The man begged for mercy,
and said, g Oh, Mr.. Harding, what have doEe
that you should treat me in this way" He was
wantcnly placed in the boat at Matanzas, and made
pull her alone, the captain steering against him.
although others were p.ecent-and the captain
struck him at times with gun, also the beathooks
and jabbed him with an umbrella because he did
not pull harder. lie was also placed before the
mast, and rcadc to clean muskets, and such, al
though at the time sick and vomiting. The plain
tiff was not sailor, aud did not ship such. One
morning, durng the voyage, he was sent up to over
haul the bunting. Not knowing what it was he
caught hold Of arope and cried out 10 the mate, ask
ing il that was it The latter swore roundly at
him, and said, Nl will learn you,' when he went
alofl and kicked Bonell Is or IS times over the
head and face with his thick Geek boots, by which
he was severely injured AT another time the
captain and mate sent him to the msin.royal yard,
when oae Of them took hold Of the arboard and the
other the staiboard braces, and shock the yard.
with the view apparently Of knocking him Of, and
the crew expected every minute to see him dash
cd ON the deck. He appeared to have been saved,
as it were, only by miracle. They would set him
to pumping, when the ship did not require it
Il h. far hu,,x.
soldier, with long duck musket, and cry out
every little while "all's wel!.'' much to their
amusement. One day the mate struck him over the
arm with billet Of wood, when the blood gushed
out throush his jacket, having struck an old wound
They put him one time on the poop with broom
stick, hitch they made him shoudcr,cry out t'alfs
well, and then keep pointing il TO the north star,
whi'tling for a wind They have been knowI to
from to the other alternately. he has been
seen TO come out Of the cabin after he had been
called down, with the blood coming ont Of his
nose and both cars He was obliged, at times, to
get the cook to give him warm water, as to
soak his bloody garments from his skin after they
had become dry. One day he was stripped and
made to get into tub Of water, WHEN the men tes-
tilted to his having exhibited wounds from his nee
TO his heels. This is but portion Of what was
sworn to his having experienced. The plaintiff
is siek confined 10 his bed, under the care VI
a physician, who states that his side is msch al.
fected, doubt owing to the tire atmcnt he had re-
ccivcd. D..
| Captain Scrisber is a native Of Germany, and the
| plaintiff born in England. The excuse in defence
was that the man was lazy. and refused TO do his
duty, &c. The case was not yet given TO the Jury
| at late hour last night A sealed verdict will
probably be rendered this forenoon,
For plaintiff, Mcssrs. BUR- and Benedict. For
defendant, Mr.. H. Michel. nn1
The testimony was not c. mpleted till late hour
on Friday evening. The respective counsel then
summed up in an eloquent and impressive manner.
After clear and forcible charge from Judge Ham
moad, the case was given to the jury, who in q
short time returned a verdict in favor Of plaintiff
for the full amount claimed, viz, $4,000 damages
and cents costs.
With one exception, this is tho largest verdict
ever given in tho Marine Court. ~ V..