New-York daily tribune., 1843-02-28
THE TRIBUNE.
1tterarp Notices.

sorn,er editor and proprietor, will not be allowed
TO interrupt the publication of 1hs valuable Maga-
zine and we trust that the impetus given to it by
his energy and skill, will not be checked by the
sad event w.iich has Withdrawn him from connec-
,ion with it, The present number retains all its
former characteristics, embracing several articles
of distinguished ability and interest," together with
several tha, possess but modera degree of merit
After brief notice of the decease of MIR. WHITE,
follows an article givin. Ceases of Mutiny at Sea-"
The first case presented is that of the famous ml-
tiny in 1877, in the English fleets, which commenc-
ed with the channel feet under Lord Bird port, and
extended through the vessels al Cadz, and in other
parts Of the sea. We copy from the narrative the
following account of the mutiny ut points, and
of the manner in which it was suppressed the
outbreak was caused not by any thirst for blood or
las, for crime, but by real grievances, insufficient
rations, &c, Of which complaints had been made
but 10 40 purpose =
The squadron at the Cape OF Good Hope caught
this infection. While lying in port there, the crew
of the Tremendous 4 rose upon their officers and
put them in confinement. The mutny was quickly
suppressed, and free pardon granted. :" This
act of clemency" says the historian, like that
shown to the North Sea fleet was attended BY
far more fatal effects than if il had been visited
with becoming and wholesome severity"
One of the men was afterwards confined for
drunkenness this offended the crew, and they
rose again in open mutiny. One hundred pieces
Of cannon were pointed from the shore on the Ire
mendous, and the muneers gave in only ten min
utes before the expiration of the time allowed
4
then hanged, and perfect good order was speedily
restored.
By July, the blockading fleet of Cadiz, under
Lord ST. Vincent had been infected with the spirit
of the More. Two men Of the St. George, being
under sentence of death, the crew wrote to the
Admiral demanding their release But that
tough old sailor and rigid dsciplinarian knew his
duty, and dared 70 perform it. he refused to par
don. The men then formed plot to rise upon the
officers the night before the execution to take
place. The Captain, observing them in groups
about the deck, ordered them to dispense. They
did not readily obey. He seized one of the ring
leaders, and the frat Lieutenant another, and
fined them. This deciSive measure restored
der; the two men already condemned were hung
the next morning, and a court ordered upon the
two mu,ineers. 1t late Saturday evening
when sentence Of death was pronounced upon
them and the president of the court informed the
prisoners that they should have all day Sunday to
prepare Lord St. Vincent, hearing OF this,
rebuked that officer, and said, 1T was your duty
10 pass sentence it is mine TO carry it into execu
lion.
As there is DO case of emergency more trylne
than one of mutny at sea, so there IS none In
which the safety of the ship and crew depend much
upon the coolness of officers if they waver for o
i.
presence of mind, and the most prompt and ensr-
ge,c measures, alone can save the ship. And
though the ST. George was surrounded by men-o
war that we're true To their flag, this distinguished
Admiral felt and acknowledged the force OF this
necessity; and, that The two ideas of crime and
punishment might go together, he ordered the
prisoners to be executed early the next morning.
At daylight his fleet was attacked by the Spanish
forces still there had been the great crime OF mu-
tiny in one of his ships; and it is maxim OF mar
tia law, that Immediate punishment for great
crimes is extremely just, useful and exemplary
acAr,burs Courts Martial, vol l, p. GO.
While therefore, he was engaged with the assall-
ants in one direction he did not forget that condign
punishment in another was required to satisfy ex-
ample and restore order to his fleet. And While
the dead bodes of these two mutineers were still
hanging TO the yard-arms, and the inshore squad
rsn engaged in battle, signal was made for the
fleet to perform divine service. Then and there
arave men fastened to return thanks tor their hap
ny deliyerance freIa danger more dreadful than
the violence Of enemies, more terrible than the
raging of the storm.
1t was owing alone to the promptness with
which the officers acted in this affair that the spirit
of mu,iav was arrested in this fleet. 1t was COM
posed of the same materials which created the dis
turbances in the North Sea and the Channel, and
experience had shown them how mschieyoas and
dangerous il is TO temporizc. with men III mutlny.
BY this time, too, the Admiralty had become fully
aware of this fact. They were now convinced
that gentle measures would not do In cases OF nu-
tiny at sea and the first Lieutenant OF the st.
George was promoted for mis- timely arrest OF the
ringlsader.
The writer of the article then presents two brict
extracts from eminent judicial opinions concerning
the cases in which necessity is superior to law
We copy these from their close and direct relation
to the case of Commander Mackenzie, now on
trial at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The hrst pas
sage is from Lord Eenboroughs decision IN the
case of Gov. Wall:-
Il will be most important for the prisoner to
establish that there existed, in point OF tact mu-
ting; when be has established in point OF tact,
thas there existed mutny, if he can go further,
ana show that the ordinary modes Of trial could
not be resorted to- and that upon conference with
the officers, that which, on the emergency, was
thought best to be dope was DONE and that there
was acanton obaseo Of power in the tafietion OF
punishment, the prisoner will be entitled to go
quit of the charge made upon him by this indict-
mentn
So, elso, the charge of Lord Macdonald: