Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-08-15
CAPITAL TRIAL OF PIRATES AT
HALIFAX

The Piratical crew of the ship Saadin,
recently arrested at Halifax, were put on
trial in that city before the Supreme Court
on the 18th inst, four of them Anderson
Travasgurs alias Johnson, George Jones
and VIM. Hazleton, were first put on tri
al on charge of Piracy One of them plead
ed guilty. The Jury brought in after fifteen
minutes consultation verdict of guilty.
On the next day the prisoners all plead
ed guilty to the charge of murder of Capt
Mckenzie
Carr and Galloway were then tried for
the murder of Captain Fielding. The
Court charged the Jury that the crimes of
Fielding, who must have been the inducer
to the original Piracy, were no palliation Of
the guilt of his murderers. The Jury
broue ht in a verdict of not guilty.
A similar verdict vas returned after the
trial ofthe same men for the murder o.
Fielding's son.
THE CONFESSIONS. The following is
the substance Of the confession ofthe prison
ers alluded TO above
When the Saladin was about leaving
Valparaiso, Capt Fielding, whose vesse
had been confscated for breach OF the rev
euuc laws of the country, applied to Capt
Mckenzie, for passage TO England foi
himself and son and they were taken on
board as cabin passengers. Shortly after
getting to sea, Fielding occasionally spoke
to tie men unfavorably of Captain McKen
zie, told ,hem ofthe valuable cargo that was
on board, and questioned them as to cour
age and resolution, if they were called on to
act in deperate circumstances. All his dis
courses with them were separately, he new.
er speaking to more than one at time.
He finally told them, still speaking in
this cautious manner, to only one at time
that the crew were about to destroy the of
fcers and take the ship out of their hands
That the one whom he so addressed hac
better join them, or his own life would be
in danger Ia this diabolical manner he
succeeded in seducing them, one after anolh
err into mutiny, before they were aware
of the true state of the case and in an in
credibly short time after he first mentioned
his plans, he succeeded in obtaining the en-
gagement to take part with him of a sufic
lent number TO carry them into effect The
whole of this was effected in fourteen days
and those who were IN the plot, being The
prisoners, were of one watch, and conse
quently all being on deck together, they
had no difficulty in putting the plans int
execution.
The night Of the 18th of April was frs
proposed for the tragedy, by one ofthe mn
tneers not being in his place on deck, anc
( perhaps the whole OF them vet being def
Client ofthat hardihood which alone prepare
\ the heart Of man for such dreadful deed
the thing was delayed. Previous 10 tn
next night, Fielding had an opportunity II
further iniuse his spirit into them, excile'
their fears, inhamcd their cupidity, and 90
them fully prepared for the deeds Of blood,
The mates watch, including all the mu
lineers, were then on deck; and Fielding
pretended that he was irritaled by an argu
ment which be had with Capt Mckenzie
remained on deck in conversation with In
unsuspecting mate, who repeatedly aske'
him why he Did not go down into the cabi
TO his rest This he evaded and still re
NAMED on deck. Finally il now beint
near twelve at night, The mate went 1
the man al the helm, and told him to slee
as well as he could, and as he was unwel