New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-03
A MODERN ALEXANDER SELkIRk.
F',om The Boston Tyareity, Oct 5.
Ne,e. York, Oct. &, l85'

In the Uuited States District Court yesterday,
Judge Hervey presiding was trled the case oi jcre-
miah Austin, master of ship Betsey Williams OF New,
Bedford charged with having lett on deserted island
John Francis, cOlored man, one OF his crew. IN the
month of November, 1855. The mate OF this vessel,
Mr. Weston has already been convicted of an assault
upon Francis with Delaying pm, by which the sight
of one eye destroyed.
John Francis testified to the fact of his being put
ashore. AT the time that the orders were given by
the captain, the witness was below III IRONS ls IRONS
were Knocked off, and he was put on board ooa, the
captain nsructng them if they could not land Francs
without staying the boat, to throw hun over
board and let him get ashore as best he could.
He SAWS that he WAS leaving the vessel the
captain gave him one or two smart kicks, ana saId
that if lie should live ard any one should ask
who nut him ashore he should reply, Captain Aus
tin kicked me ashore" They gave him few arti-
ces Of clothing and landed him alone on the beach,
after which the ship sailed away, ana he was eit inc
solitary nhabtant Of the island For twenty-sx days
he lived on raw crabs and young birds soaked IN the
water taking refuge in hut, which he made OF sticks
al night. Every morning he was III the habitoi gong
down 10 the beach before sunrise to look ior shlp
because his eye could not bear the reflection OF the
snn upon the sand. Finally the ship OH Hector
touched at the island and be was taken on sni car
ried to Talcahuana where he remained seven months
and half in the hospital. There was coHoboraIiye
evidence of his being put ashore and also some evi-
dence for the defense, which did not deny thd iacl
Tie viii be argued tomorrow.
The island in question one Of the Galapagos Group,
and was formerly used by the Peruvian government
as penal aton; Il was aerward abandoned but was
sometimes visited by whaers tor the beef Oi the WIG
bu cks left upon the island and thl, fact prOOHpy
led to the r. scue of Francis. The trial Of this case
reminds us Of wbat similar case many ysafs ago
on board an English man-O-war, which, NJ the t4de,
caused great excitement in England lhtre was On
board the English ship mere lad from the W es, oas'
Of England who had been caught in some TRIVIAL thst
and for no other than this tle captain oIderen
him to be taken with scarcely any food or clothes, 20
then deserted ISLAND Of the West lnda uf1lp, nIa
notwithstanding the protestations ana tsars OF 'e '
they sailed away and let him 70 ms Ia Er,lsnS and
the facts were made pubic IN Engiani, ana
great interest was expressed 20 know 'he late oi
the po.r lad 80 great was the e1citeiici' ,ial 81
last the British Government was oongeI 70 iaKc
notice Of it, and an eIpedion was s,et spec'any
10 the island 10 search for the boy. Nothing was
found there but skeleton, rom when i was sup
posed that he had perished. 1t was Dot Ions, now
ever before Il was whispered that tne boy Osa Deeh
rescued and taken to the American contlnat Inc
Engsh Government fonnd i necessary To send ano her
eIpsdition for the public Indignation grew hot against
the phurnau captain and ct last the Lao was dSuvered
with family at Msrbleh. ad, Yankee vessel having
rescued the boy at almost th. .ast moment from his
place Of abandonment. Ee wGs thus restored, after
the lapse Of nunter Of years, TO his mother in Eng
land. SO g-.cn had the attracted pubic ntce'
that s te vessel reached the shores tie greatest cu
ficsity vas manifested 30 him, which cout'nied a. a.
be passed through the country, and IN consequence ~
this expression of public opinion, the inhusn
was Obliged to compound Tor his cruelty oy Wv ~
ment 10 bis victim Of large sum Of money'
Austin was sentenced to pay fine OF sIv., ."'
extent Of the punishment for this o1ense NM
| or six months imprisonment. In sa' o'o
Francis for damages, Judge Harvey a"afaed nii 'ns
sum Of $500, TO be paid by the captain nc "1'N "
the sane ship wa. fined 80 for asesuh y francS "'A
Delaying pin.