The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-12
From new work BY Augustus E. Siliiman.
Masiny on beard the Essex Frigntc.


Marquesas Islands. recruiting her crew
from one of the long and arduous cruises
in the Pacific, Commodore Porter was
informed, through servant of one OF the
officers, that mutiny had been planned,
and was on the eve OF consummalion.
That it was the intention of the mutt
neers to rise upon the officers, take pos
session of the ship, and, after having re.
NAMED as long as they found agreeable a,
the island, TO hoist the black flag, and
"cruise on their own account" Having
satisfied himself of the truth Of the infor-
nation, Commodore Porter assembled to
the quarterback, and ordered all the crew
to be summoned aft. Waiting till the las!
man had come from below, he informed
them that he understood that mutiny
was on foot, and that he had summoned
them for the purpose Of lnquiring into its
truth. "Those men who are in favor of
standing by The ship and officers" said
the Commodore, "will go over to the
s,arboard side--,hose who are against
them, will remain where they are"
The crew, TO a man, moved over to the
starboard side. The ship was as still as
the grave. Fixing his eyes on them
steadily and sternly for few moments,
the Commodore said-"Robert White,
step out" The man obeyed, standing
pale and agi,ated-guilt stamped on every
iineament of his CONFERENCE.-THE front
of his comrades. The Commodore look
ed at him moment; then seizing a cut
lass from the nearest rack, said. in sup
pressed voice, but in tones so deep that
they rang like knell upon The ear Of the
guilty among the crew-''Villain you
are the ringleader of this mutiny-jump
overheard !" The man dropped on his
knees, imploring for mercy; saying tina,
he could not swim. Then drown, you
scoundrel " said the Commodore, spring
ing towards him TO cut him down
"overboard instantly" and the man
jumped over the side of the ship. lie
then turned to the turned to the trembling
crew, and addressed them with much
feeling-the tears standing ON his bronzed
cheek as he spoke.
lie asked them VIVA! he had done that
his ship should be disgraced by a mutt
ny. He asked whether he had ever
treated them with other than kindness
whether they had ever been wanting for
anything to their comfort that discipline
and the rules of the service would allow,
and which i was in his power to give.
AT the close of his address, he said
."Men before came on deck, | laid
tarin to the magazine and | would have
blown all on board into eternity, before
my ship should have been disgraced by
successful mutiny; lnever would have
survived the dshonor of my ship go
10 your duty" The men were much at.
fected by the Commodore's address, and
Immediately returned to their duty show
ing every sign of con,rition.
They were good crew, but had been
seduced by the aluremen,s of the island,
and the plausible representations of vii.
lain. That they did their duty to their
flag, it is only necessary to say that the
same crew fought the ship afterwards
against the Phebe and Cherub, in the
harbor of Valparaiso, where. though the
American flag descended, it descended in
blaze of glory which shall long shine
on the pages of history. But mark the
sequal of this mu,iny-and let those who,
an the calm security Of their tresidos,
are so severe upon the course of conduc,
pursued by officers in such critical silua-
tons, see how much innocent blood
would have been saved if White had been
cut down Instantly, or hung at the yard
arm. AS he went overheard, he succee-
ded in reaching canoe floating at little
distance, and padded ashore. Some few
months afterwards, when Lieutenant
Gamble, Of the marines, was at the is
lands, in charge of one of the large pri-
yes, short handed and in distress, this
same White, at the head of party Of
natives, attacked the ship, killed two Of
the officers and number Of the men. and
and it was with great difficulty that she
was prevented from falling into their
hands. Tee blood Of those innocen,
men, and the lives ftwo meritorous Off
GERS, would have been spared. if the
wretch had been put to instant dea,h-as
was the commanders intention.