The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-06-09

to shoot him The wound inflicted however danger
GUS and White will be about in few dave. legal inTes
CATION promptly had and Mr. armstrong discharged
The summed up the following opinion delivered
b. the mayor, and furnished By correspondent:
Key West, May 30, 1855.
THr STARE or FLoRpA r.. Lreur. JAMES r. ARNsrRose
UNITED STATES sAvYLeGt armstrong, executive officer
Of the United States ship Jamestown In this port
peared this morning. in compliance with notice from this Of
ce abide investigation the circumstances attend
ing the and woundng Of Of the deserving seamen Of
that ship last evening and thereuPon the examination pro-
ceeded
The testimony several eyewitnesse including that Of
the surgeon and assistant surgeon Of the ship TO the char
OF the wound inflicted dscoses the following crcun
stances
White Cromwell and Others all belonging
the Jamestown deserted from her four days since, and
had Guided all attempts to arrest them though their officers
with the civil authorities, had been the alert. Last
ming between nine and clock Lieut. Armstrong being in
formed White and Cromwell together in the streets
and being specially instructed By Capt Ellison commanding
the ship organize party and to them and tearing
too that the Young officers who after them might
force ndiscreey proceeded 70 the place where the two men
WERE aud accosting White said White, know you, and
you the boat and 90 board with ne" Arm
strong had walking and no other weapon
arrested that could him, and that be
would not be taken alive and be told Armstrong be would
yanced TO arrest him. White drew knife and made
pass with il at him il knife from eight to twelve inches
IN, Il olS l. ~. s nina ma skd hin wbs
complaint he bad Of his treatment Of the ship 70 all
Of which White replied that be would not be taken and he
Armstrong then asked Of the masers mates 70 hand
him pistol which was done and be then put a., hand near
White for bis knife and demanded the knife and White again
Aourished the knife il about TO stab hi when Armstrong
stepped backward and fred INJECTING wound which the at
tending Il bat skin deep attended with no bad
ymptoms and from which be win probably recover IN few
DAYS.
In addition this testimony, X s within my personal
knowledge that LeG Armstrong behalf Of the orders be
received from Capt Ellison, called upon Of the
city, informed 81 the desetion Of the and asked
authority and aid and thHt o. the city msshs 70 srre
theta gave TIE authority, and The undertook TO
them. And regard the sets o. Lieut. Armstrong 10
making the strictly conformity sh and subor
dnate that authority Bat apart from this, Lieus. Ar
songs manner, angaage and bearing were eharaeterze
BY moderation aud frbsar and rniy when the violence
White forced sdefsnce BIN absolute necessity
did he ask far weapon White deserter, and
BY the section ~ the act 81 Congress Of the
a3d April 1900 entitled An act for the better
the United Stae sss than by the special
orders 81 hE superior and the circumstances 0f the
clearly Mr.. Armstrong; duty 70 arrest him.
Under al te circumstances 81 the have dovbt
wbsever u ny duty discharge Lieut.. Armstrong He
had lawful authority make the arrest and used force
enough and only enough 70 eject H. And While shall
be found resous maintaining the rights % ihe czen
against abaae II military sathnritY shall be no ess
ready upon Al proper oceaon far a. can, 70 sastan
pubc The figbtu srd he4thiu exercise a
their powers and the naval service dcipins an@ IN
ferrift. JOIN w. PORTER,
Mayor 81 the City * key West.