The New York herald., 1871-03-09
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.
Arson ON tho High Seas.
Before Judge Woodruff.

The United states Us. Charles Pe7due, Charles
Meredith ana Frederick X. Allen.-Tne defendxnts
late seamen on the whaling ship Robert Edwards,
formerly Of New Bedford, Mass, are charged with
the high seas. in setting FIRE to the vessel
on the 10th day of May last, when 800 miles at sea,
whereby she was consumed to the waters edge on
the second day following and the Captain and crew
compelled to take to the long boat The whole party
were rescued by the ship Mary Rice and
landed at Rio Janelr0, from whence the
defendants were conveyed in custody to this
port and, after an examination into the charge
against them held for trial. The offence Is a capt.
one; and this fact being announced TO the jurors
they were called, caused some delay in procuring
jury. The difnculty was surmounteo, however,
before the close OF the session on Thursday and yes
terqay ps three defendants were put upon trial for
their lives. A perusa OF the evidence VIII show
mi boss s as sS H ss in is an
acter, there being no incentive to 1t from personal
Ill treatment on the part OF the captain and ofncers
toward any portion OF the crew.
Tue prisoners voluntarily confessed each to his
own particular participation IN ,ae crlme The
theory Of the defence, however is that the ship was
accidentally fired, and that the subsequent confes
sons OF guilt were MADE under violence and threats
OF continued punishment
THE TESTIMONY.
The District Attorney having briefly stated the case
to the jury the examination OF witnesses for the
prosecution was proceeded with. The first witness
Edward wlnslow, first oflicer Of the vessel who
|
len, were seamen on board the Robert Edwards the
vessel belonged 10 Taber, Reed Co., or New Bed
ford she lett that port on the 10Th OF May last Tor
q whaling voyage; on the Goth OF June following,
while the vessel was 800 miles due east from Ber-
muda, smoke was discovered issuing from the for.
ward hatch; the vessel was found to be
and every exertion was made to put it down: the
next day witness heard the captain ask Perdue il
he had set the ship fire; Perdue replied,
Il did Ore It, some one mas blowed upon me
and win fix him. witness did not ask the
nfnfn m or
OUT Perdue helped to put the fire down; the witness
struck Perdue because he would not work; Perdue
told the witness he had bored four holes In the bot
tenn OF the ship to sink her, and that he had fixed
the ship "because the
DEVIL had THE UPPER HAND OF HIM."
the entire ships company worked two days to save
the vessel, but on the third day the AFFAIR became
hopeless and they were compelled to take 10 the
boats; the witness took eight men In his boat; the
alter taking to the boats they remained ABOUT
the vessel all night ana at daylight. sne being
boats were finally picked up by the snip Mary Rice
OF Baltimore; when on the Mary Rice witness asked
Allen why he had nred the Ship and he replied that
Perdue and Meredith mad got him into 1t; also told
witness that he drew the tar to be used to start the
fire.
Cross-examlned by Mr. Russell. counsel for de.
fence-The Robert Edwards was Old ship; the
CAPTAIN was . part owner; we were on .
we had been as successful as usual;
the second officer told witness the ship was on fire,
tn. des e Of I'm the ~ Were not with
smoking was not forbidden on board the ship; Allen
worked hard to put the fire out but Perdue did not;
Perdue would refuse to work. Meredith also skulked,
and would only work when made to do 30; 1t was at
first thought the fire was accidental; every one OF
the crew was not charged with firing the ship; the
witness did not say the Danish sailor was not guilty
OF lring the ship, nor that 1t was good thing Tor
him to Jump overheard; there was no lighted lamp
In the hold during the voyage
Joseph II. MuIord called ana SwOrn-WaS boat
steerer on the Robert Edwards; was known on the
ship as Hall; the vessel was burned on the 20tn OF
June; the crew left ner In spen boats on the 22d.
Cross-examlned-Saw the captain take Perdue by
the beard; he had pistol In his hand did net hear
the captain speak; before ne selZeu MIN Perdue
said, sAs bad as am cannot tell q lie; fred the
shp.n
Kedirect-When Allen and Meredith were con-
fronted with Perdue the latter accused them COM
plicity firing the ship tney then confessed that
they helped to fire II; after we got aboard OF the
Mary Rice Perdue, Meredith and Allen confessed In
the presence Of the officers that they fire
the ship; Meredith was asked why they fired the
ship and he replied tlat was more than. human ma
ture could iatnom; Perdue SAID that he had fired
the ships he appeared 10 regret that had dsne so,
and said that II he only got out OF this scrape he
would never get INTO another.
James f. MaddOc testified that he was fourth
offjcer or the Robert Edwards; heard the captain
ask Perdue If he had fired the ship; Perdue replied
that he had, and tnat the Danish sailor ana Mere
attn had assisted hIm in the act; that they went
down into the hcld and struck matches; that the
hands OF Meredith and Allen and the Dane shook
SO that they could not hold the matches steady and
| that he (Perdue had started the fire. Perdue made
the confession before being questioned by the cap
tain; the Dane was subsequently charged with
| being q party to the firing OF the ship, and he
Jumped overheard; there WAS no effort made tn