The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-26
Mutiny at Bea-DcHth Of the Mutincer-
Pho Mate Shot by the Captain.


JUNE 20 This morning Capt Pitman, of the ship
John Ravenal, from Liverpool came before sAr Rdg-
way the chief ccrk of the United states District Attor
ney's Office and made the following voluntary sataneut
respecting mutiny and the death Of the mate by his
hands -
Robert A. s. Pittman being sworn dcpotel-f
native Of the State of Virginia and mt present ma sr
the American ship John aavenai left Liverpool N
master of that vessel the 10Th Nay with two hum
dred and sixty four passenger; first second third
mate cook and steward and sixteen s.sniep bound for
Charleston South Carolina via New York at witch lat
port leave the pa assensers; from the COM
of the voyage there apparent def
the part OF the officers. unwingness to obey
my orders; the 2sth May abe ut nineso in the
evening came deck ana found the yards braced up
and the wind aft; the chi5 mate. has Burnside,
tive OF Wales, England about Thirty five years of age,
was With the passer gers and crew. orward singing in
tho poop thon orders TO Burpsdes to square .hB
main yard to which he replied in very sucu.
dissatisfied mannnea the wind ID sycrywhere - L
rejofnsd never ndna square the msin yard ~
Burnside then called out, All hands to tate the
studdingsails haul np the mansail squar tho crowac
and fore YARDS said 10 aim Mr. Burnside doc
wish the studdingails taken In; only wish you square
the mainyard aud nothing ,lse;' then eft the deck;
the main and crowjack yards squared Immediately
afterwaristhe latter in direct violation OF my crdars
many other similar acts of disobedcnce by
burnside al twelve clock the same night yyhile wax
sitting the soh in the after part Of the ship the
down and entered his room pulled off his coat and
then stole softly into my room; not finding there he
slde What 90 you want On nothing, SIR SAID he,
ts twelve oclock the wind is the same after that
he turned in iwated about ten minutes and then won't
up deck easily in to be heard by the TO-
and finding the second mate on the poop house. asked
him what was the matter with the mate, whether
he had been drinking, and If where he obtained
the liquor he replied that he did not know; that
he never saw him take glass; l said thought
the mates conduct very curious that could put UP
with il any longer and that | should be compelled
suspend him; at the same time saw Mr. burnside walk
ing he having crept up from the cabin apparently
the
started for the cabin stopping at the door within hear
ing of the mates and heard the first mate burnside,
ask the second mate what the captain had said about him.
adding at tho time, that he had heard all; the
second mate told him what had said to which Burnside
replied II have other settlement to with him,
besides what heard;' the remainder of the conversations
not in tones loud enough to be understood but from
all that passed between them. believe that thoy
combined together in somo unlawful undertaking against
accordingly called Mr.. uigginbotham, cabin pas
sepgcr and told him that intended speaking to the
mate ana wished him (Nr Higginborham) to hoar
what passed The mate then called into the cabin,
and I desired to know of him the meaning of his
conduct; he said that had been speaking of him
to the passengers that he had heard about before cav
ing Liverpool. but refused to tell what 1t was; no
tlon followed this up by using most abusive language
he then requested To go into the after cabin and
put my hand ON hia (Burtido's) shoulder and said
Just sit down here he replied can sit down with
out your hands on me then ordered him to take his
room and told him hat lie was longer officer Of the
ship be said he would be id If h would that he had
much right in the cabin as had; that he would be-
mate of the ship long | masrcr; said TO him
Go out Of this cabin 60 your room" he seized me
by the throat and tore it with his nails much that IL
hled the steward came in and took him OIL had pre-
viouy sent for the second and hird mates and the
pentsr; In not coming the sent for they all
ctuc into the cabin with the exception Of the ut
he wheel, and the cook and second mate. the latter
alleging reason for not coming that IL his watch
On deck The question @as put by me to the
whether 'key Know anything ~ to the cause OF
what had just taken place they answered in tho
negative then asked them if they had any
of complaint either against myself or the ship
they said no they had been treated well aud had
On1Ilaint Mt this the
came into the cabin from his room whittier he had
lately gone; as soon a sv him told him 10 90 back to
defend himself; then told the that Mr. burnside
no longer mate Of the ship and that they must not
obey any order from him hereafter Burnside spoke nm
and sad he would not be- suspeDded that he would
tnue to BE- mate Of the ship he then pushed
his room. when he turned and collared again in the
presence OF al hands The crew were asked to protect
End prevent my being disgraced they replied that
The second and thiri mates dtuy to hrt orders
We're given to the crew 70 go forward and they went
leaving me to defend myself again told the mate
e- his room and 90 to sleep and that the business would
oa settled in the morning and then went to my
ooln; at hapast seven O'Clock the following morning,
2ath Of May TUNED out and went deck where
found the duty with the men ia violaton of
olcctcd that had notified them of the mates suspeu-
ion the mate (burnsidc) interpreted and said Il am
lot supended you boy jack put these buckets awny
md stead take these tarpauns away: | said g Leave
hem alone Burnside replied, that # they did do
What he told them he would break their heads made
hen go forward and cautioned Mr. Burnside against
oing any further in these proccedrga he proposed that
should each take pistol aud settle the
ncc-he having two pistols in his pocket; the bell ut
hat time rang for breakfast aud passed down into tho
abn aud out through another door, to see what the
nate doing he took OF his coat hung 1t upon tho
lows small boat went down among the passen-
,eIa stepped up and found tho pistols in his Burn
ide coat pock cts and Immediately retreated To the
abin for breakfast After breakfast and white sitting
n the sofa in the cabin, in ojnycr.aiion with Mr. Hig
iubotham as to the best to BE- pursued with Burn
de- there being eytry reason to believe outbreak
mong the passengers ana crew IN consequence Of The
lates proce edings and he having told them that
'ore not coming to New forltthe steward came in and
aid that the mate wished to sec me, asked what he
anttd The steward said he did not know told him
tel he mate, II he desired to say anything to me- he
III come below; the mate directly ma u his appear
nj the outer cabin door many Of she pas
gng,rs being with him. In reply To my question az
D what he wanted be said n an iusolent manner,
leuut. turned to MIR HirguU0tham Tor u moment. and
ben addressing Iir burnside, askad hm to come into
ne cabin IT he had amy thing y communicate, and ne
III cutcr with h, hands lrhnd his back until roaahng
he after cabin door At this time lhe outer cabin door
'8s completely obstructod by seamcu aud passengers,
nd they were twice told TO - away tie mate beck0n-
~ thDn to IInain and he then aid. Capain pittman,
have down. behalf Of the passengers
o Iut you " irons and take command of the ship.
ould Hardly believe That the in earnest and
ber, ore asked hm ii he was; he said Yes am and
VIII show you prtscnting pair Of handcuffa and
'i2iug me by The wri T. put of the irons on this
as done in moment. and then began 10 realize the
u affairs dreaming nt the mate would
race ~ rinls ma mol Nr burnside fhe ma,e n Inc
oorway coming toward. with The pair Of irons stn
his hands ] struck al the hand in which he
ed the handouts, and the blow knockd them
cross the cabin. together with part Of the pstoi
be piftol gong Oh win the blow. the balls
nrng OF thr thumb and wrist Of thc hand Of Burnside
nd uieEing bis body; Burnside died instantly he lid
id not speak after the report heard al trouble
eused on board ship and every became quiet the
ounds examined. ball having passed through
Is heart and out at his back lodging bukhetd
le ether entered his left breast could BE felt in
IL back; at four ", the day, the ship
}. the ensign hosted half mast, the f'lnorl
al the crew. ceanly dressed being ia attendaDce and
le body Of the mutineer consigned 70 the deep
Upon This sworn statement OF facts which. Il iT
yerred the and passer gers will corrobo-
lite oath Mr. Rdg1oy permitted captain Pttman &C.
large parole The other testimony in tho case
u b taken on Saturday (this morningl.