The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-24
U. 8. MarshalI,s Office.

Nov 23.-In the Case OF the Schooner Ha'p-We yester
day mentioned the arrest Of two seamen, William Will
ams and James Bennett at the instance of Captain Car
ter master ofhe schooner for endeavorng to nce the
crew to revolt while on the homeward voyage from Para
South America) We now give the correct particulars
given under oath before the Commissioner. At twelve
O'Clock, the prisoners who are rough coarse, and i'll
looking rowdy sailors brought forward. Williams
alias Ricardo is Of Portuguese and Bennett of American
extraction They were attended by counsel. Mr. Bar
ret appeared as the lawoicer for the people The fol-
lowing is the g Of the evidence given for the prosecu
tom
WILLIAM w. CARTER being sworn states-I am the mas.
ter of the American schooner Harp sailed my out
ward passage from this port to Para the 9th September
my crew consisted Of the following officers and hands,
Mate Edward Patterson; steward William Marshal sea.
men, William Williams James Bennett Nhe prisoners
the bar James Dixon and Peter Rici We loaded at Para
with cargo of india rubber hides Sc. having board
about 5000 in specie On the outward voyage we had
about $500 in specie we hauled out on the 23d October
and on the Goth we stood out to the day after
taken suddenly ill., and on gaining the deck we both
vomited freely We took some pills, and the mate re-
cSysrsd but was as confined 20 to my cabin until the 10th
nett had some quarrel and hearing loud words
ordered Bennett to desist would not allow any such
conduct on board 1.-THE captain was here going on to
state how he became acquainted with the intended revolt
but the prisoners counsel objected and the commissioner
sustained the obecton On the 18th November in the
demanded from Williams his weapons he replied that he
had only his knife and that he would not give up unless
forced from him at the moment he drew the
knife if for defence then proceeded to the orecastle
and called Bennett and told him that had information
his weapons, he replied that he had except old
knife. About 10 O'Clock the night, williams
aft and seized by the mate and Dixon, and his knife
wrested from him. He then tied down then went
forward and seized Bennett, and secured his knife. We
bound them both and placed them in the hafdeck hatch
The Harp is about l3i tons burden THE knife here
produced and identified it is butchers small knife with
brass rves in the handle The blade about six inches
long and shapened towards the point both edges
contrary to the usual fashion Of rggers knives In de-
ermined hand it would be most desperate weapon The
pistol also produced and identified II is about fifteen
twelve pacerl The knife was sharpened as it now is
The pistol taken from the chest of Williams ii
heavily loaded as it now is and the printing fresh
chest claimed by Bennett opened, and several bull
lets and canister powder found there the bull
lets answered to the bore of the pistol Williams had pre-
viousy told that he had given his pistol away his
brother at Para While at Para, unloading
Williams spit on the paint work. ordered him not to do
he replied that had better not NEEDLE with him. he
old hand to be interfered with by such
On the cross-examinaon the captain said that the
lid their duty all occasions except that day at Pa
there fever at Para and the water was fresh
He stated that Rci told him the day Of the arrest after he
had been relieved from the wheel that he afraid to
below lest he should be murdered.
JAMES DIXON swOm-I am a hand on board the Ameri-
can schooner Harp; know the prisoners Williams and
Bennett they were seamen on board with myself viii.
ams was in my watch after leaving Para, Williams said
they would kill the officers and take of
sci Bennett was present about four five days after
the captain and mate i'll Williams again said that as
the schooner had crossed the gulf he would kill the
officers Bennett present then also On Friday the
18th November Williams said TO Bennett and myself
We'll gentlemen Is best to XIII the bugger tonight - he
added that he would call the mate forward and knock him
on the head and then throw him overheard then would
be easy to kill the captain Bennett acquesced and said
was best to do Williams turned to and asked me
what thought Of the plan replied that Iwould say no.
thing about il then told Rci that it was my opinion
that would be all murdered and begged him to go and
tell the captain and mate Williams showed the pistol
and told me loaded he also showed me the sung
shot and the sharpened knife he said he would take the
pistol aft the plot was to murder the captain and mate
and then take possession of the vessel and run for the
nearest land when within day two sail of land the
money and vauabes to be transferred to the small
boat and the vessel to be scued williams said there
about 600 doubloons board I told Rici all I
heard the confined that nighttime loaded pistol
and balls were found in the prisoners chest Williams
hove the slung shot overheard the night that he
arrested they made the sung shot board during the
homeward passage; it weighed about pound and a
half
This witness was swede by birth, 90 years old he
had been fourteen years sailor Of which time he had
been year and half in the American service
This evidence the Commissioner considered sufficient
to authorize him to commit the prisoners in full for trial.
Thecaptain and bound over in heavy penal
ties to appear and prosecute As the United States Dis.
trict Court commences Monday next, when all crmi.
nal trials will be heard this will be disposed of
speedily possible.
The prisoners sent to the ombs under chargeof
the Deputy Marshal