The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-31

LOSS OF UNITED STATES sEAMEN IN THE BATTLE
WITH PlRATEs-rHE STEAMSHIP PowHATANs
CREw-TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF PIRATES FOR
MURDER.
From tho Friend Of China, Oct. 81
At the sti continuing criminal sessions Of the Supreme
Court ictcra ihiee men captured By the crew Of the
United ates scsmship Powhatans second launch from
the junk blown With Lieutenant Rolando and others
board the 4th August last, Kulan, placed
their trial for the murder OF the two members OF the
crew. who killed by the exp osion.
The prisoners unattended and MOI knowing what TO
say in defence were found guilty by the Jury The Judge
deserving sentence until he had considered how far the
point Of the being prisoners at the time OF the blow
ing ny affects their position
II almost relate the particulars OF the
evi5once 81 Mr.. d. Il. Caldwell commanding the steamer
Esgie Lieut. Roando, Mrs. g H. C,sig assistant master
u the Powbatan and one Of tho seamen as they have
already appeared In story Of the Ratters expedition
and Capt Follower letter publ in issne OF the
18th August Tho Eagiet tracing steamer uncer British
fsg conveying certain Chinese vessels from Hainan
some hundreds Of miles south of any trading place
toned In treaty With China, when the Goth Of
July OF the raid convoy we're captured by p ases
Finding himself weak to asssil the capturers Captain
Caldwell TO Hepg Kong and asked the senior naval
officer 10 give him aid. Upon this the Rather got up
steam, and went 10 various places in fearch Of the
pirates amongst others 10 Kulan. There, vessels
supposed be Iirstica seen, but In such shoa
water that the Rather could not ges at them
ard SIZE returned 80 Hong Kong for the steamer Esaie
snd tie P whaans Lunches, which obtained, she again
started for the island Of Tyio. At Kuan second time
tie chased vessels not 70 be seea; but masts
being observed in another erection under the main land
the Epget and launches proceeded toTards them, and
whet asEaed with shots OF cehance al least
Captain Fellows in his letter says the china Mil
whose conductor and general reporter board The
Esget says the ssfaut commenced on our side Either
way the deyipg returning thot not much to be
accounted Of for 1t all feb long way short OF where the
Eaget was ling aud did hurt to The Esglets
rcckes ssted the Chinese vessels from their anchorage
ard basic was made BY them 10 get into lagoon,
out OF the reach Of the launches and other
beats. Believing the whole OF them to be piraes
our gallant British tsrs We'd with their brave Amer
icsn comrades In dealing death and destruction 10
al around many - eight hundred souls being report
cd a. gone their account In the short space
three hours to their bourne by force not exceed
ing hundredso showing an average killing Of eight
men Per single hand.
Tie Povhatan captured SIX men. Three Of these have
proved Themselves inn cent Of crime and will be re.
leased IT. o. half dozen captures, half have proved
themselves innocent may safely inter that OF half
dezen hundred killed by men, the half at least. we're
innocent aso. Should such have b. the hu-
mapi,y shudders ~ The thought--how horrid the
facrel
As We have fad, the prisoners having nothing 70 say
found guilty Of the murder of the American seaen
and viii be sentenced TO death or TO transportation.