The New York herald., 1871-08-23
THE COURT S.
Charge Of melting to Mutiny- Alleged Embez-
element Of Letters-A United States Com
missioner's Star Chamber-DeciGons
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS COURT.
Charge of Inciting to q Mutiny.
RAfnra Oom m Iaaioner DaYannOrt.

The United States Us. Alien n. Parker, James
Walters, John Neutue and william r. Lon0.-The
defendants had been seamen on the American ship
Nevada, and they are charged with having while
on the voyage from Boston to Rio Janeiro, incifed
TO mutiny on board that vessel. 1t appeared, from
the dispositions and from the testimony offered be.
that they had been overworked and that
the captain would not give them watch ard
usual rule on merchant vessels and the cap
tam replying that ne would let them have
MatSn aess ana watch when opportunity ana the he
So Furthermore. during the voyage the cap
tain M ascertaIned that the second mate, Alien !.
Parker was incompetent for the discharge OF the
duty ne had undertaken; that, as the captain al
legged Parker did not know how TO port or starboaru
the wheel; and that after consultation with W. w.
Burgess, the first mate, he appointed one Of the men
before the mast, James Anderson, to fill Parker's
seemed to give great offence to the crew. They
demonstrated against It, stating to the cap,
mast he ought to be lett there was further tes-
lined thai the men refused to sing ont at night on
custom not usually followed by seamen on board
snip at sea; but the captain insisted on compliance
S s e saying ns me- wSaG not 4ne 70
OF June between Parker and the newy-appointed
mate, Anderson, in reference to a coat which Parker
Claimed Anderson was gong TO cneat hlm out OF.
This led to fight between these two men,
the evidence going to show that Parker struck
ensued. The captain made an effort to put
Parker ana Neville In irons, when the prisoners,
with one Of the crew named Hn, went aft for the
latter fired revolver at random, telling the men to
go forward. They replied that they would not. and
told the captain that he might fire away and be
ID Seeing thai Hill was brandlshing knife,
the captain called Tor musket. and on the weapon
but 1t missed fire. He asked Tor another musket,
and having received 1t he DISCHARGED the piece, at
amined at considerable length in reference to the
foregoing circumstances. He was also crOss-ex-
he had consultations with the captain Whose name
Is Albert Lun) In regard to the death OF Hll and
tne remark OF the captain was that II ne mad not
The further examination OF the case was adjourned
TO Friday.
Charge of Stealing Post Letters.
Before Commissioner Osborn.
The United States us. Paul H. La Chantin.-The
defendant, who had been Post Office clerk, was
charged with embezhling letters from that depart
ment. He was held In $4,000 bail for examination.
COMMISSIONER DavenpOrt's Star Cha lnber.
On Thursday Of last week five men, named John
Contler, alias Boots; Robert Baker, James DoOley,
James Bergen and William Fisher, were taken from
the ship Colombia, ABOUT quarter Of an hour before
she sailed from this port, on charge OF smuggling
cigars into new York. Contler ard another man.
whose name Is not known, were accused OF having
received the cigars, knowing them to have been
sIousged. After the arrest of the prisoners tney
were, as they state. taken down 10 an ONCE in Wall
street. the name OF which they cannot recollect but
which, II IS believed, is occupied by one more
special agents or detectives Of the Treasury Depart
nent. The prisoners understood that they were TO
be examined there before Commissioner Davenport
(whoSe regular ONCE ior the eXamlnaton OF cases
is In the United States Building, IN Chambers street,,
but the com missioner not being ready to proceed,
the accused were sent back 10 Jail Yesterday they
were brought down to the United states CQurt ana
placed In back room from whence lney were taken,
one by one INTO the presence OF the Commits
sloner the only persons present being tine prisoner
TIE Deputy Marsha, who had charge OF him, and
Colonel ChaiEer and Captain BracHett speciaa
fG nata fun. Af rhn n r. irnA
Ine reporter went to the door or Com niSsloner
DavenpOrrs oIice and made an effort 10 get In, but
the door was locked or fastened SO tndt he could
not gam admission. subsequently he met one OF
the prisoners coming OUT or tile on VINO, in reply
TO question said the Commissioner had discharged
ports room, wnen the following conversation took
place
REPORTER addressing the CommissI0ner)-Are
you holding Court
COsAIssIoNER-No, 1 a;n not exactly holding
court.
REPoRTER-Are reporters admttedS
COhaIss ioNER-At the request OF counsel for the
prisoners they are excluded.
When the Commissioner said that, al the request
OF counsel Tor the prisoners reporters
ciuded. the only persons IN the loom by re-
Cnaikef anu Brackett. baker, one of the prisoners
says that he has not spoken 10 employed any
counsel to defend hinl nor Is he tnaI
any one OF the other prison rs has uOne so.
We cannoG, OF course, tell what MIR. Davenport's
OBJECT Is or may have been In Oldlng a private IN
quiry before detectives intO charge involving a
Commissioners holding star Cnamre never Will
be tolerated here where the course VI justice
be free ana open.
Mr.. Daven port. as may be seen above stated tnat
he twas not holding courn yet all Jhe accused eX-
cept Baker, say they have been discharged. then
The Comiussloner mus nave been holding court If
lie discharged the Prisoners tney state notwltn-
stanoIng his own assertions 10 the contrary.