The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-14
United StsAes Commlssaonex's Court,
Before John w. Nelson, Esq.
CHARGE OF sTABBINa ON BOARD THE sHIP cILHS-

Before ".
CHARGE OF sTABBINa ON BOARD THE sHIP cBLHs-
TIAL EMPIRE
FxB IL The Unied States John Armstrong This
case to cay brought to close-havng been under
investigation for the past three days The follow
ing is sketch of the evidence adduced by Mr.. RdSway
for the United States
cond mate Of the ship Celestial Empire-Armstrong ship
ped liverpool able seaman; on the Sd Of January
at about one O'Clock in the Afternoons my
watch deckone of the passenger girls about twenty
Of to me crying, and said she could get
nothing cooked at the passengers galley because Of the
sailors; Armstrong there skyarking; went into the
galley and told him to out he said he would not and
slapped him in the face with the palm OF my hand and
told him not to go the passengers 1t against
the rules of the ship be with them turned to go Aft
and did the prisoner stabbed three times with
a dirk knife the first and third thrusts only cut my
Clothes but the second entered the lett side OF my
back near the lower part of the heart; the wound
and the dagger-a new sharp pointed one-snown 70 the
COMMISSIONER tainted away and was carried into the
cabin by the carpenter and of the II was
could deck and was IN
to dress my wound three times day which was done BY
Captain Pierce. had had no trouble with Armstrong
previously; did not before know that he carried dirk
besides his sheath knife coming out from Liverpool
the called aft and eau Toned against interfering
with the passengers in any way Armstrong dsobey
ing this order at the time OF the difficulty, and that Is
what occasioned il; did not strike him with severity
Cross examined BY prisoner COUNSEL walked away
three steps after Shaping him. left him bet
the galley door and the iorecaste door again went to
him and told him that it his watch beow-to leave
the passengers alone; then had Delaying pin in my
him. never had struck him before and had had quar-
rel with him.
jeremiah lay the carpenter testiHedI saw the second
mate and Armstrong the forecastie Clark had bo-
laying pin in his hand reckoning to the to go below;
stood there till the second mate threw the Delaying
pin on the deck and turned aft then also turned to 60
TO my work, supposng the trouble over; heard
scream and Mr. Clark run towards and fall in my
arms saying Carpenter I'm stuck go call the captain
and mate;' Armstrong followed him up, and as was
supporting the second mate raised the dirk in the atti
tude ST striking him again; told him not to strike
mi apAin wa ypry atab Ark
was confined TO his room several weeks
Alexander Cove being sworn, testified pAssen-
ger on board the Celestial Empire saw the second mate
along by the starboard side Of the ship; girl
crying he asked her what was the matter; don't know
what she replied mate went into the passengers galley
next Mr. Clark order the prisoner the orecas
tie mate shove him with his hand he hada Delaying
PIN but did not use IT. mate turned to away prisoner
said, If you . weaponI will too; this before the
mate struck him. the prisoner took out this dirk knife
from his breast and the mate retreated he had turned
away and gone few steps, when Armstrong followed
HIM and stabbed him. and then put himself in the ati
tude to do it again the mate had his face toward the side
of the vessel when he stabbed and tho prisoner be-
hind him; Mr. Clark did not threatening language to
Armstrong he merely spoke in his usual tone of voice.
For defence, Alexander Mcclellan deposed-I was a
the galley and struck him with his st then took be-
laying pin and said be would knock his head OF if he did
the prisoner told him to keep Off did not the stab
made; saw Armstrong make no blow, but lie had one
hand in his bosom when he told Mr. Clark to keep Of"
Samuel Cox another sailor testified that he heard the
alarm, and stood up to the that's all know
about it did not see Armstrong stab the mate.
Cross examined BY Mr.. Rdgway:-Mr. Clark said 'Tm
stabbed " Armstrong took the dirk from his breast only
saw him make cut at the mate the stab was given
by the hips the carpenter and took Mr. Clark aft
y Resumed-Second mate said, g You useless son Of o
b-h. IN kill you both going towards each other
saw Clark throw the Delaying pin away and say he was
stabbed they both scoing another the carpen
ter was not there at all he aft, making scotchman
for the after rigging
Cross -examined-Am positive the carpenter was aft
making scotchman, him there quarter half an
hour hour before did not the carpenter for
ward can't say positively whether the carpenter was aft
making scotchman.
the Commissioner said he considered the case as fully
proven, and held the prisoner for trial.