Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-28

relating the WaIrens launch give the narrative Of il
as taken from the recorded evidence Of the trial. They at
tempted the same crime the scene and with Ike
hope and opportunity Of mpuniy. They threw their officer
Passed Mdshipmsn Gbson-the only officer in the boat with
themnto the in the night, incumbered with his heavy
wacheoa TO buffet against the strong currents Of that coast
and with no apparent probability Of escape bu, 70 make
of their VICTIM he thrust under by the
named Black whilst others Of the boats vocife-
rated K kill !" Drown drown the damned rascal !"
the like Words and under the impression that the deed
done rowed away with the boat unfequened part
the eastern shore Of the bay of San Francisco where they
landed at early hour next morning. and from thence by
routes through the mountains bent their
the Upper Sacramento, until forced by hunger seek
food they went into the embryo called "New York Of
The Pacific, near one Of the mouths Of the San Joaquin,
where Lieutenant Macarthur commander Of the Ewing had
preceded them, and succeeded in sresng the whole gang
The cries and struggles Of Passed Mdshpman Gibson were
beard BY some by, who went to his relief
but not until life was apparently extinct The body when
recovered was In state Of entire nsensby and the attend
ING physician hope Of tho life, which, however his
skill under Heaven succeeded Unexpectedly restoring.
Had Midshpman Gibson been drowned outright and his
body been drfed away by the strong and irregular
into which he was thrown BY the mutneers they would pro-
baby have made good their escape the mnes the dis
covey would not have been made would the pursuit
been hot neither would the officers Of the squadron
received that aid assistance from the citizens in regard
descrtrs which they to the apprehension Of
derers.
Had the commander Of the Pacific squadron or the court
martial which he convened shrunk from their duty and the
responsibility Of executing the law in regard these mutt
neer how many like Of mutiny and murder those
Of the Warens launch and the Ewings boat would now
backen the annals Of the Pacific squadron and the records
Of the Navy Department. Notwithstanding their crime, the
highest in the naval code, and attended with all the aggrsva
tions that possible it. these not only allowed
but furnished every means Of defence consistent with fair
trial. The best counsel in California employed by
to defend the who conducted their defence with oil the re-
Of professional leaning and ability The question
the jurisdiction Of that court fully argued, he exact
question which 10 attempted TO bring before this court
courtmars had any revising and appellate power
the decisions Of another coumara and decided as
always bad been BEFORE and always afterwards by all other
before which the question raised The sentence
Of death certified the record sdudged by the ma
jory Of twohrd which the law requires and submitted
without recommendation to mercy from single member Of
the courhus conveying to that every member Of the
Of opinion hst the should be executed on
all the convics Nor did receive from any source whatever
any recommendation to mercy, application for pardon,
except from Passed Mdshpman Gibson, against whom the
muny committed and who requested the pardon Of the
young who pulled the bow.oar and except aso from
the COUNSEL who thought that distinction might be made
between the who had pitched their officer overheard
and the other three who stood by aiding and abeng but
found unnecessary add their hands the work. con.
fess had extreme difficulty in recognising the least legal or
moral distinction in the guilt Of the parties. But hoped
that partial execution of the sentence might be sufficient for
the discipline Of the squadron and the sentence confirmed
OuIy III IcSdIu W INC WV IuSs0uooios .
feel that should pay but III compliment to this court
il Offer further explanation satisfy them Of the
necessity and justice Of the execution Of the But
may take occasion to add and solemny to affirm it. that
have yet heard and do not believe that any in Cali
orna n the Pacific ocean, in the navy, having know
edge Of the facts has questioned that the execution Of
the muneers necessary, except the two ieutenan
who seized their opportunity add this grave charge to
their unfounded personal complaints against me.
3d. That laeted in pursuance Of the Instructions Of the
IS md Ill
the powers Of commander Of squadron foreign
iion converting courts and executing their sentences con-
nued the exercise Of this power reporting my proceedings
therein, in oil other matters regularly and hsbuay
y, presumed legally, and in fact have acted
with their concurrence and appreciation So far now, this
Government is concerned they make complaint and
take proceeding against being esoPPed BY their
silent concurrence and appreciation and by every rule Of
law well a. of equity their subsequent equi-
vslent previous oderfor have not until these charges
received any intimaon that my official acts, which was
regularly reporting to them not in exact accordance
with my duty and authority and their Wishes
But was no, left to infer their appreciation from any
lent consent expressly conveyed to in instructions
from the Navy Department.
III July, ls4s, reported Mr.. Secretary Mason that
in pursuit Of the munees and murderes who escaped
from the Waens launch. read to the my entire
port, as follows:
mo- a2l "FLAe.SHIr OHIo La PAz, JuLr q, ls4s.
sSIR: have the honor enclose herewith OF
letter Just received from Lieut. Commanding Joseph Lanman
enclosing the copy Of letter from Passed Mdshpman
8. Woodwork disclosing the melancholy fate Of the Off
in charge Of the United States soop Warens aunch
long missing and which supposed to have been accden
tally lost in the bay OF San Francisco.
"Mr Woodworth's letter received by Lieut. Lanman
Governor Mason the OF setting out for the
gold region that without exciting suspicion Of
the Warrens officers directed to accompany Governor
Mason for the purpose Of Identifying any Of the muneers
who be found among the gold washers elsewhere in
California.
Should we be 50 fortunate lay hands any them
with sufficient authority convict them the penalties Of the
Law will be promptly executed in the most exemplary man
ner unless may be necessary after conviction, send
or more to the United States TO identity others. -
'o'' 'e'pes'''''' '''' "THos. AP {. JONES,
"Commander-in-chiet Pacific Squadron.
Hon. JOHN Y. Mason. Secretary Of the Navy"
To which report in due time, and after my arrival at San
Francisco received answer, dated February Is,
pressing the appreciation Of the Government and directing
TO bring them to trial. Herewith the complete Of
Mr. Secretary Mason of which present the
thenticaed copy, under seal Of the Navy Department
NAVY DEPARTMENT.. FEsRUARr Is, 1s4s.
Sra Your despatch Of the eth Of july s4s with its
closures respecting the fate Of the officers in charge Of the
u s. sioop Warren Launch has been received, and
course in the matter is approved.
Measures taken apprehend the wretches who
continent you succeed in apprehendng them be pleased
to bring them TO trial
am respectfully, your obedient servant, Z,
J.Y. MASON.
Commodore THoxAs AP C. JOKES,
Commanding u. s. Squadron Pacific Ocean.
Again, in report made Monterey, November l, ls4s,
the Hon. John Mason, Secretary of the Navy, stated
as follows
have had occasion than once, sorry say,
to speak OF the insubordnate and unruy disposition OF
. So. He has just been convicted second time
by naval general court martial Mr.. III.