The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-27
The Downing Court MARTIAL
srxTEESTB DAY.


srxTEEsTB DAT.
PHILADELPHIA, July "A. 1854
The court re assembled at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing. and the members appeared to be greatly re-
Ieyed By the sensible alteration in the Temperature
since their previous session, rendering their dress
coats more comfortable than furthermore. Under
this change, the department will probably not be
troubled with the proposed application for permits
sion to strip OF their trappings when the mercury
rises above ninety.
The examination Of Lieut.. Deas WAS resumed-ln
regard to the men alluded to in my testimony OF
Saturday simonds vas the man who deserted. and
Carroll was the one who expressed his intention to
desert.
Second Charge, Specification First:--On or about
the time specified, Commodore Coe was received on
board the jamestown | did not know that Capt.
Downing had any knowledge Of Goes having be-
tsyed his party in regard to the second specihca-
tioo on or about the time specified, the jamestown
lie n her anchorage for Montevdeo in regard TO
the third charge, the jamestown left for Rio de
Janeiro for the purpose of being oaullked with re-
spect to the fourth charge, do not know that the
Water Witch towed Ms OUT ] was not on deck at
the time.
Fifth CHARGE was below when heard the ship
atTlket Wnen le2Cneu the spar QeCkr IOuHo t0e}
had attempted to tack the ship; the ship missed
stays, ana in attempting to boxhaul her, her st.rn
came in contact with the rock; we then clewed up
the sails and after some time the anchor was lot
90; b3at sent shore for assistance, aud two
guns were fired; several hours elapsed before we
ceved any assistance; think it was on the third
fourth day before We succeeded In discovering pas
sage or channel; in going out OF this channel to an
anchorage, off the town Of Pernambuc0, the ship
struck two three times; IL was not q common 0c
curre1ce for vessels ~ the Jamestowns class TO be
oauiked at Montevideo; up to the time that Coe
came O board the jamestown, the general impress
sion was that he had not sold bis squadron after he
had been boatd-tbe day after he arrived-re-
ports were in circulation that he had been bribed
BY the inside party; formed an opinion from what
had heard TO 8 t eachery, three or four days
after Coe lift his squadron; should think that st.
Clair left about one half at the Jamesto wn, Of what
he brought In his boat; efforts made, while at
the anchorage of Bu.nos Ayres, t. caulk the james
town, down to within two or three streaks of her
copper; know nothing Of st. Glars endeavor to
bride Purser Gulick; do not think that all proper
al necessary precautions were taken to avoid the
land of Pernanbaco; The dangers the jamestown en-
cOuntered were not unav odable; thought we were
steering too near the shore.
In answer to questions by the Court witness re-
piied:-I know that st. Clair supplied American
merchant vessels In the harbor, aud also left provi
sions on board the jamestown to be called for by
other vessels; the officers also frequently purchased
provisions OF ST. Clair, to send as presents to fami
lies residing in the city; know that the boats Of the
quently detained, by stress Of weather. for one or
two days, and on one occasion for about four days.
The accused here commenced his croAs-examina
ton.
Witness said:-I do not think ever saw st. CIair's
boat leave the jamestown with less than onequarter
OF beef on board 1t understood that the employ
ment Of st. Clair was owing to his being able to
bring on provisions to the jamestown with more
certainty than could the ships boats.
The examination Of this witness here closed.
Lieut.. Roger N. Stembel was next called as a
witness, and, being sworn, proceeded to answer the
was Lieutenant on board the jamestown during
her entire cruise; In regard to the first specification
q the first charge, was ON deck With several
came on board; believe that every on5osr that
was there took him by the hand; and was
under the impression, from what reports had
heard during the day, tina: his crew had mutinied,
and he was unable TO control them; had also
learned that he bad applied 70 Capt Downing for .
boat to bring him on board the Jamestown; the
next morning went on shore, and remained there
trc o. three days; during my stay on shore heard
ron to the inside party; heard this from Mr..
Schcnck, Mr.. Pendleton aud other parties; when
returned on board, ! found that CON- Coe had left
the ship. In regard to specification second. know
that Com. Coe came on board the jamestown at
Montevideo, and proceeded in her to Rio Janeiro,
as q passenger in the cabin.
Specification Third know that st. Clair furnished
the jamestown with provisions, and am under the
impression that it was under a permit" granted
rom Com. Coe, through Capt Downing; previ-
ously we had obtained provisions from another
place, which was attended with great deal OF
trouble and difficulty, occasioned at times by the
weather. and at other times by the interference OF
officers OF the outside party; was occasionally on
deck when st. Clair came alongside with previ-
sions, and superintsnded getting on board such as
have seen him shove OF with considerable guam
tIty In the direction Of Buenos Ayres; what dispo
ation he made OF Il know not.
Specification Fourth was informed that one OF
these men (Simonds or Carrol) had attempted,
during the night to desert, but was apprehended be-
fore he succeeded In reaching the shore; this man
WIS brought aboard the ship when the other pre-,
said IL was his intention to accompany the one that
had been Apprehended; the next morning Chey
having been confined during the night) they were
brought TO the mainnass' when Capt. Downing had
cannot reoolect the exact words OF the conversation,
but under the impression that the purport OF 1t
wss that II they wished TO leave the ship, he did not
20 IF me 70 %s
and asked if those men were to take their bedding;
told him knew nothing about 1t, but would refer
the matter tothe captain; accordingly did so, and
the captain informed me that they were TO take
nothing with them, but were to leave the ship in
the character of deserters this / comnuni.
GATED to the officer Of the deck i know
Of no means taken TO apprehend themi
all know Of Coe being carried to Rio has already
been stated; know that the jamestown len the La
Plata a. stated in second specification Of second
charge; have recollection OF seeing the cores
pondence with the diplomatic agents, and know
nothing beyond what have already stated; ] do not
know that Capt. Downing had any knowledge Of
his presence with the jamestown being particularly
necessary for the protection OF the American resi-
dents at Buenos Ayres ny impression is that his
departure could have been very properly postponed
for some time, without any particular injury to the
ship: know that the Water Witch towed the James
own over the flats six or eight miles, the wind being
ahead; 7 have no knowledge OF any further inter.
ference BY Capt. Downing with the move nents Of
the Water Witch, excepting on his first arrival on
Buenos Ayres, his ordering Lieutenant Page to
anchor nea him. several messages passed through
me from Captain Downing to Lieutenant Pare
before he came TO in the Water Witch: know mo-
thing of the instructions from the Secre tary of the
Navy TO Lieutenant Page, as alleged to have beea
18th OF March, 1854, had charge OF the deck