Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-06
From, the Ne,p- York Sun.

Mate haHed 6y the CoptGan.-Captaln y. s.
Pittman, of the ship John Rovenel, voluntarily
came to the District Attorneys office yesterday
and related under oath, particulars leading to the
death of James Burnside, native of Wales, 35
years of age, first mate of the vessel.
Capt P. says he is a native of Virginia, he
sailed from Liverpool on the 26th May, with 264
passengers, three mates, steward and sixteen
saamen, bound to Charleston S. G., by way Of
New York, at which latte port the passengers
were to be landed. From the commencement Of
the voyage, he said, he observed detection on
the part of the officers, and an unwillingness to
obey him-the captain.
About o'clock in the evening of the 2sth
May the Captain went on deck, he slys, and
, found the yards braced up aud the wind aft, the
chef mate, with the passengers and crew, for
ward. Tod him to square the main yard he
replied in sullen manner, 1.-THE wind every
where" he called all hands to take in studdng
sails, haul up the maiusail, square the croack and
fore yards !" said to him, only wish you to
square the main yard, and nothing else; left the
deck. The crojack was squared by him, in con-
nection with the main yard, in violation of Or
ders At IL o'clock on the same night l was
setting on the sofa, and Burnside came down.
stole softly, after going into his own room, and
pulling off his cat, looked intG my room, and
and then into others; sung0ut Mr. Burnside
what do you want 2" Hereplied, Oh nothing
sir it is twelve o'clock, the wind is the same"
He turned in; waited few minutes and went
softly on deck, so as not to be heard by him.
Asked the 2nd mate what wiS the matter with
the mate il he had been dr,ukiug. He replied
he never saw him take g Ass. | told the Sc
cond nale should be compelled to suspend the
fist mate, as | could not put Up with 1t any lon
gnr, started for the cabin, and turning saw the
first mate, who had crept up to hear the conver-
s,tion. On being enquircd Of by the first mate
heard the second mate tell him what I had
sail. Burnside replied 81 have some other set
tlemcnt to make with him besides what | heard"
Did not hear the rest Of the conversation. Be-
lieve they We're combined together. l called Mr.
II ggiubothaln, passenger, and told him | in
tended sp: akiug to the mate, and wished him to
| hear it. The mate was called into the cabin
Asked him what what was the meaning Of his
! Conduct! He said had been speaking against
him to the passengers, and commeced the Use
of abusive language, Requested MIN to 60 into
the after cabin. Put my hand upon his shoul-
der, and said "just sit down here" He creped, 81
can sit down without your hands ON me-" l
told him to take his room, that he was no lon
ger officer of the ship. lie said he'd be id if
he would, that he had as much right in the
cabin as had, and he would be mate Of the
ship as long as l was master told him to go
ont Of the cabin, and 90 to his room. He seized
Il ! .. ,.,tl, l. Il.
that it bIcd. The steward took him off. had
sent for the second and third mates, and the car
peutcr, out they not coming, the crew were sent
for-thcy came into the cabin with the eycep-
tion of the man at the wheel, the cook and the
second mate, who said it was his watch Oh deck.
Asked tn, crew il they knew the cause Of what
had just taken place, and they replied in the ne
gative. Asked them if they had any complaint
against myself or the ship, they said "no. they
had been treated we'll, and had no cause of COM
plaint" The first mate then came in from his
room. Told him to 60 back. He replied he
would not, he came to defend himself. | told the
crew Mr. Burnside was no longer mate, and they
NUT mt obey any order from him. lie said he
would not be suspended, that he would continue
to Jc mate of theship. He was pushed towards
his room. when he turned and collarcd me again.
The crew wcr" asked to protect me, and prevent
me from being d|gr;Lrd. They said it was the
duty Of the second and third mate to come first.
They were ordered forward; and left. Told the
mate to 90 to his room, and the business would
be settled next morning and | also went to my
room.
Next morning went on drck and found the
mate on duty, in violation Of orders. Asked
the crew if they recolk ctcd had notified them
of the mates suspension. The mate said | am
not suspended, and go you boy, Jack, and put
those buckets away" | told him to leave them
alone. B lrnsde told them if they did not do
what he told them he would break their heads.
made them 60 forward. Icautioned Burnside
not to go further in those proceedings. lie pro-
posed that we should each take pistol aud set
tie the matter at once, he having two pistols IN
his pocket. The bell rang for breakfast and l
passed down into the Cabin and out through ano-
thcr door to see what the mate was doing. tie
took off his coat and hung it on the small boat
and went down among the passengers. L step
ped up and found the pistols in his pocket. AT
ter breakfast, WAS sitting on the sofa, converslng
with Mr.. IIiggnbotham as to the best course to
pursue, us to Burnside, there being sufficient
reason to believe there would be an outbreak
among the passengers and crew on account Of
his proceedings, and his telling them we were