New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-07-28
THE HINDOOS IT BOSTON,

The charge brought against William Reed master OF the
snip Qusen Of the Pacific for treatlng h crew IN not
providing them with suiiciency Of provisions on tbs
uassas from Calcutta 10 this port was heard this nora
ing Lefors T. = Commissioner Merwn, and from the evil
dence introduced should say i. the most frivolous
charge that could possible be brought before Court
The proceedings interrupted before they begun,
as Pa; would say because II appeared that no binding
oath could be administered unless Il was made Ga the
Koran. messenger was dispatched for the sacred
volume who after hunt Of nearly hall al hour returned
bearing the precious book with HIN. An interpreter was
rst sworn 10 render answers Of the evidence given IN
when the fst witness Achbar the chief saang Of the
Lascar crew, and complainant IN the case was called
Commissioner Merwin administered the oath to him in
the follow ing form:
Interpreter tel Actber am now about TO administer
al oath 10 him upon lie body Koran.
Tie Interpreter did a. directed and Achbar seized the
You swear in the Mshsnned upon The molly
that the svdsnee yol 'hsI eve n ne ssss ," "a - %
bosa '''' 'A'
ACbbard devoutly kissed the book and proceeded with
his evidence. IL testified that ne shipped on board the
Queen the Pacific at Cacntta with twentnne others
al ascars land that he their captain OF Chief sarag
they shipped by Capt Carey an officer OF the Ln
gsh Government, without whose permission they could
not shiI at all there understanding and was ~
,rsoiftd the aicle- that they should have everything
necessary live upon viz rice, dahl sph peas ghee
dry sh meat iesh and salt sugar spice, Of
kinds Onons, -four, bcSt, oil to wash IN coffee ami po
taoes Tie captain snd shipping master both agreed that
these articles should be shipped.
At this point III the case the interpreter nothed the
Court that there gentleman present who could inter-
pet better than mse, he had not been 20 Cac1t'a
Tor time, and found some difficulty IN making clear
interpretations.
Mr Mitchell the gentleman alluded to, was called. He
is of full African blood but American birth has lived for
many years in Calcutta where he has amassed large for
tune. lie elegantly dressed and IS evidently gentle
Of breeding and culture. The oath was administered
70 him; and the examination of Achbar was resumed.
The provisions that actually furnished during the
voyage were three baskets OF potatoes bushe ana q
halt in each, which lasted monthmeat free TO take at
any time and in any quantity which lasted three months
which lasted a month bags of dahl about
three bushels in each, two barrels of hour, biscuit and
bread always without limitation twenty-five salt fsh tea
u round week, mOlasses half gallon day curry
siu-red pepper tumeric and garlic as much as wanted
rice and oil without limit and for fresh meat two sheep
and quarter end one goat and twelve fowl
During the last month the Calcutta meat and FISH gave
ont but they never refused food. There was plenty OF
American beet which they refused 20 receive they were
not snted for water, but had all they wanted plenty Of
curry stuff plenty OF tamarinds, plenty OF vinegar anu
plenty Of oil the luxurious dogs.
They refused American beef principle. Their CON
science rebtcd because their religion taught them to eat
no meat that was not killed by true believer
Acbar further testified that Capt Reed called hnl 10
c1amipe the food that had been provided and told him
ila any sor they wanted should be procured for them
He gave him CAchbar money to purchase what was de-
desirable.
Kaslong, or Cowlang, the second .sarang, was next
called and the same form of oath administered when the
defense remarked that he should Ike to have the oath al
ministered by priest of the Mahometan faith.
Merwin-Yes, but where shall We find one
Counsel understand there IL among the crew holy
mau who discharges all the functions, such a. calling 10
prayers washing, killing sheep, &c.
CommissiOnsr-Wel have him in
The priest came robed very nearly in the Georgia
mer costume or more nearly, after the fashion OF Joan
the Baptist whose Sunday suit was camels har, WIN
gnde of skin about his IONS The priest proved TO be the
worst looking fellow in the whole lot He said he never
had administered OATH and told TO sit down again
other Lascar witnesses examiner, when
the officers of the ship the steward and Mr. Mitchell a
passenger, introduced for the defence The exam-
nation of those last wasvery brief.
The plain i, was submitted TO the Conm-s-
sioner without argument ON either side.
Commissioner Merwin in summing up the eyit nee
said was clear from the evidence OF the Llscars them
selves that liberal mode of providing for was proved ~
the outset The provisions subject 10 the inspection
Of Achbar himself and it by his own evidence that
everything provided that he understood was To be
provided Ample provision for meat was made, ana 1t Is
very clear from the evidence of the crew themselves
that care used the part of Capt Read IN furnish
ing money for tho purchase Of such articles as they them
selves thought desirable No complaints, II seems were
thought of during the voyage and it not until after
the arrival of the ship Boston that any complaints were
made The charge against Capt Reed is not sustained IN
any partic ular, and it must be dismissed