Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-08-10
THE BARQUE EsALADIN.-TRIAL OF THE
PIRATES.


does not give the confessions verbatim, but
makes copious abstract of them, as follows -
When the Saladin was about leaving Val.
paraiso, Capt. Fielding, whose vessel had been
coniiscated for breach Of the revenue laws of
the country, applied to Capt Mckense for
passage to England for himself and his son and
they were taken on board as cabin passengers.
Shortly after getting to sea, Fielding OCCASION
ally spoke to the men unfavorably of Capt. Nc
Kenzie, told them of the valuable cargo that was
on board, and questioned them as to their cour.
age and resolution, ifthey were called on to act
in desperate circumstances All his discourses
with them were separately, he never speaking
to more than one n time.
He finally told them still speaking in this
cautious manner, to only one at time, that the
crew were about to destroy the officers and take
the ship out of their hands. That the one
whom he had so addressed had better Join them,
or his own life would be in danger.--In this d.
abolical manner he succeeded in securing them
one after another into mutiny, before they
in an incredibly short space of time after he
first mentioned his plans, he succeeded in OBJ.
tanning the engagement to take part with him
OF sufficient number to carry them into effect
The whole of this was effected in IA days and
those who were in the plot being the prisoners,
were Of one watch, and consequently all being
on deck together, they had no difficulty in put.
ting the plans into execution.
The night of the 18th of April was proposed
for the tragedy, but one of the mutineers, not
being in his place on the deck, and perhaps the
whole of them yet being deficient OF that hardi-
hood which alone prepares the heart of man for
such dreadful deeds, the thing was delayed
Previous to the next night Fielding had an op-
portunlty to farther infuse bis spirit into them,
excited their fears, nfamed their cupidty, and
got them fully prepared for the deeds of blood
The mates watch, including all the mutneers,
were then on deck; and Fielding, pretending
that he was iIritated by an argument which he
had with Captain Mckenzie, remained on deck,
IN conversation with the unsuspecting mate,
who repeatedly asked him why he did not 20
down into the cabin TO his rest. This he evaded
and still renamed on deck. Finally, it now be-
ing Lear twelve atnight, the mate went to the
man at the helm and told him 10 steer as well
as he could, and as he was unwell, he would lie
down spell on the hen coop. Here then was
favorable opportunity for them all their VIC
TINS in their full power. The captain in sleep
and tanced security in his cabin; that half the
crew who were not in the plot reposed below
IN their hammocks, and the only object that was
in their way had now laid himself down, and
sunk into sumber among them.
This opportunity they but too well improved.
The work OF death was commenced by johnson
taking an axe, and in darkness and silence, ap-
preaching the sleeping man, buried the edge of
it in his head. Sensation was Immediately
suspended, and without the least noise they
threw the liteIess body into the sea.
Their next plan was TO kill the captain, and
Jones and Anderson were sent down into the
cabin for that purpose but the sleeping mans
dog was keeping watch for his safety, while his
,
dumb animal made them too fearful TO proceed,
aud they returned on deck. Their plan was
temporarily altered they proceeded aft and
called up the carpenter, and as soon as his head
was above the campanion he received blow
with hammer which stunned him. One of
the conspirators then placed his hand over his
mouth, and two others threw him overheard.
The contact with the sea probably restored
animation, and he called out "Murder - This
became the accidental cause Of calling Capt.
Mckenzie on deck on the drowning mans
crying murder, Fielding, then near the entrance
10 the cabin cried out with loud voice "a man
overheard :" when Capt Mckenzie, with the
benevolent design of saving some OF his crew,
rushed up on deck and no sooner had he got
there, but he was attacked with an axe by An.
derson.
The blow, however, did not take effect, and
the assaulted man grappled with the murderer,
who it would appear retreated, for it was some
zed by llazleton, and Johnson who was COM
manded from the helm by Fielding to assist,
running to the scene of action, took hold of one
of the captains hands, In this situation, with
three of the murderers holding him, Fielding
gave him repeated blows on the back part of
the head with an axe, which made him a corpse.
All this was done in much short of a minute
no noise was uttered, and the only word spoken
h., A. -