New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-18
CHARGE OF RAPE ON sHIPpOARD.
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS OFFICE-JULY
Retore / w BRIGHAM

UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS OFFICE-JULY H.
Before J. w. Brigham
The case Of George Conway captain of the ship
Switzerland charged with committing rape upon a
Storage passenger named Jane Haggard, on the voy
age from Liverpool to this port, where the vessel
arriy ed on the ed Of May, came on this morning.
Judge Dean appeared for the defendant, and MIR.
JoacAimsseu for the Government, with Mr.. Charles
Edwards, counsel for the British Consul-the COM
plainant teng an English subject.
Capt. Conway is red.faced sailor about forty
wears of age, and unmarried. Miss Haggard appears
to be modest and exceedingly lady-Dke person very
good looking, of refined address, and every way
an object of sympathy. During the severe and har-
raising cross-exsmnation TO which she was subjected,
she became much excited, and was, no doubt, some
what beside herself. Her appearance would also in
dictate that the letters which append to thsreport
must have been written under strong mental excite
nent as no such productions would be likely to ema-
nate from her under ordinary circumstances.
She was accompanied by her sister, modest and
aniabe lady apparently in comfortable circumstances,
who seemed much distressed ct the wrongs which her
sister had suffered
Mr. Joacbimssen proposed that the hearing should
be in private account Of the peculiar nature OF the
case, but Judge Dean Directing, the Commissioner
ruled that TIE eAaulnallon uust 20 oH as uSoo' AH'
little room was crowded with spectators.
Jane HaggGrd. sworr--I am q single woman, II
wears Of age; new living in Kendall in this State
left England to Join my sister here, ON the Ith OF Ap,
going On board the Ocean Monarch on the oh, and
being Transferred ON the Switzerland at the Liverpool
decks, on the 9th; Geo. Conway was captain ana
steerage passenger on the afternoon OF the Ioih'
Can't Conway askedme 10 come into the CABIN, oelng
on deck OF IT, time, taking with Mr.. VIM f. Peachy;
one o. the cabin passengers; the captain renlik-d
! Il Gold ~ "
him into TIE cabin, and be would give me something for
NV cold | followed him into the cabln when he told
me 10 sit down; refused tire cabin boy came 10 ae
the tme but the captain swore Mt hm ana ne lei iu,
medstely; the captain then went into his room ana
brought out something in teaspoon when Took me
again told me 20 sit down, which l refused to doi
he then pushed me on seat end sat down oy
me- saying he wanted to talk with me; said,
| wished 10 leave the cabin; he told me he vented
wife and when he arrived in New-YO would marry
ne; told bin felt myself insulted By such CONVEX
sation from perfect stranger; he replied that, If
was a stranger, should not be long; again started
to go, but he pushed me as fer rs the door OF hs
room which was close by; | felt Alarmed, and, as |
saw DO person in the cabin, called out As loud az
] could "Mr. Peachy" several times, bur my voice
was nesrly lost my cold was so bad | called, viii
10 one come 10 my assistance y but no one came;
clung TO the doorpost; he tore my hands away and
said, by Cd, You shall come IN he had hold
Ills room, which was open, locked the door
ard took the key out; Mr.. Peachy, Mr. Shaw
and the ship doctor were the only cabin
passengers and were at this time all on deck; the
ftegald was think, part of the time 10 the cabln
bur DO rot know; when he had locked NE in his
room said, " DO You intend 10 ruin me II you do
'.go aud throw me overheard; any young woman had
&" letter die than be ruined in that way; would
"prefer DEATH" he made reply; l said, " Do
YOU doubt my respect. that you will treat me 80 2!
be replied, No, not for a moment, aud the day
arrive in New-York will marry YOU" replied,
"Aiy only request is TO leave the oabin ] therefore
request you will open your door Immediately and
"let me co." be gave heed to il; shook the
door, and tried to make noise 10 attract
attention; be said, " DIN your eyes. you
want TO let every know you are here;
I resisted him as long as was able, when became
weak and powerless not senseless then he pushed
me on bis bed il was then he treated me so lmproI
erly; he accomplished his purpose; was very weak
and exhausted; he kept in his room about IN hour
before he opened the door, i demonstrated, and told
him would expose him; he replied l need not De
alarmed, he would marry me as soon az ne arrived;
made no reply; be then opened his door Mr.. peachy
was sitting alone close by; said, Mr.. Peachy, the
Captain has locked ne in his room and treated me
every improperly, and has also promised to marry
me on the day Of bic arrival" MIR: Peachy sald,
am very sorry to ind ire Captain mas Mea ne
"inariage" Mr. Peacby died on the 18th OF May, az
sea; his health was III ailing for three days; me
captain gave him medicine, twelve hours after Ms
taking which he died. Admitted, subject 70 excep-
ton; the captain said to Peachy, Yes, intend to
"do so; do you think person OF my years would Sc
"6nce oiri aud then not marry her r. called on Mr.
peacby 10 be witness OF this promise; he said he
Womb see me righted; made Mr.. Peachy's acqualnt-
arce on board chip, saw the captain prepare the
medicine for Peacky; the captain had white mug oil
something for Peachy; be passed near where was
and beard him say, Peachy is a ID fool, ana ny
cd III give him something that will do him mucn
"eood" Mr.. Peachy died at clock in the morning;
the cabin boy announced it 10 the captain, wno se,d
81 expected Il thought as much" did not see Mr..
Peacly dead, for the captain would not allow IT. the
day Of the assault the captain went out. loekef his
door ara keIt me r bis for four days the cap
tain STAYED 10 tho part of the time through the
dev and The cabin boy brought me my msals tired
10 get into the Storage the fourth day, but coaId
rot for the captain met in the doorway and asked
ne where Was going; replied down IN the storage;
which ought never to have left the captain would
after Peacby died, the doctor proposed t. have his
lo5y openeI FOR the purpose of examining Peachy's
tcu;ac6. saving that as Nj. Peachy had friends ON
board il would be Of some satisfaction for them 20
know the cause Of his death; that his uncle nlgat
Think il strange if it were not done; the captain
rtplied. "No I do not wish il TO be donei II was
81 or O'Clock when first went into the ce0p thcre
were great any passengers on board vi tae 'essei
the mate s room adioned the captains.
recess was had for few minutes, after which the
REORGANIZATION began. ,
We sailed on Tuesday the 18th Of April; on the iosn,
the day after we sailed, the captain first had in.e,
course with ne: ON the night on which l was tsa
into the captains cabin l sat on the trunk az hxI.,
did not sleep did not 90 out OF the room al. - .ne
take u in that night; On the next night seP' - ID
CAPTAIN bed; was perfectly exhausted, anu snt
10 co 20: he sept with me- from that time 10 N.w
with me everyfigbt until the vesse' srr's" -