The New York herald., 1871-03-09

save him; he might have been saved but tn. re wa
something else to 40. the ship being then O t1ro
had rife.
Eugene Freeman, third mate, testified that wheA'
the captain had Perdue by the whskers the captain
charged him with having set the snip on nre; the
captain held him by the whiskers Ior minute or
tive.
THE CAPTAINS TESTIMONY.
Thomas l.. Pease. captain OF the Robert EDWARDS,
testified 10 the ownership OF the vessel, ne himself
owning one-sxteenth; the ship sailed on the 10th
May last on q whaling voyage; knew the prisoners,
Meredith and Allen (Perdue being then absent) The
District Attorney not being previously aware OF the
fact reported the same TO the court
Judge Woodruff said that the Marshal acted Inn
properly In taking prisoner out OF the court with
out notice. The case was then proceeded with.
on the goth June about ten O'Clock, was Informed by
the second officer that the ship was on fire forward.
In the lower hold; had the first officer aroused and
proceeded at once forward; found the ship
on lire; had the hatches battened down and holes
made, through which they poured water on the nre
to extnguish IL; the ire prevailed and tney aban-
doned the vessel at nine O'Clock on the 22d; suDse
quently asked Perdue II he had set the ship on fire;
perdue SAID, why do you suspect meY' and replied
that he looked guilty: had heard from one OF the
men that Perdue threatened to set the ship on re;
that he would hpsh the ship, or the ''old box" as
OF he mad set fire to the ship; that he knew he had
done so and might as well confess it; Perdue then
he had; the men when inierrogated on the sub.
iect admitted that they had been always well
treated--never better on any ship; had never heard
any complaints OF the men previous to the firing OF
the vessel; witness had caught Perdue by the beard
at the time: Perlue at the same time
said some one had betrayed HIM and he would fix
him; witness then seized him by the beard ami drew
revolver from his pocket, and said to Perdue that
Il he threatened any one on board his snip he would
blow has brains out; after they had abandoned the
ship and were In the open boats Perdue said that
Meredith. Duncan and Allen were with him in the
plot; they were picked up by the ship Mary Rice;
while on board this vessel witness asked Perdue and
Meredith why tney fired the shipl they replied tney
could not say why they did It,
ross-eXamined-The ship was about fifty years OF
age; while l had Perdue by the beard the mate
struck MIN (Perdue) on the face: Perdue never de
MED having set the ship on fire; had recollection
OF taking Meredith by the throat In the boat, anf
that he then confessed to firing the ship.
Several other witnesses for the prosecution were
examined but their testimony was but q simple cor
r0boration OF that already given.
Samuel Duncan, originally charged and indicted as
an accomDlice gave testimony for the prosecution.
He stated that the prisoners mad induced MIN to
conspire with them to fire the vessel. He had done
80, but was at the time ignorant OF the extent to
which they intended to go IN their design. Learning
1t, however he was alarmed, but feared to divulge
his Information on the subject to the officers OF the
vessel lest the prisoners should Kill HIM.
At the close Of the testimony tile court adjourned
Till this