The New York herald., 1874-09-09
A SEAMAN MALTREATED.

peculiar case OF alleged cruelty 10 a seaman
was before United States commissioner Stilwell
yesterday. Dispositions in relation to the matter
were taken at the United States Consulate at
Aavre. The facts, developed in these depo-
sisions are iollows:-AcnnIes Brignardello, Ital
IAN, evidently In q feeble state OF health and
scarcely speaking English, shipped last February
81 san Francisco seaman on board the snip
Sovereign OF the seas. While the vessel was
lying in the harbor OF san Francisco, J. W. Carey,
the first onicer, fnding that Brgnardeno did not
understand what was said, seized a chainnook
and struck him several times. The vessel was
bound for Havre, and during the entire passage
Carey repeatedly beat and matreated the
fortunate man. until he was completely black and
blue Tne voyage lasted from the 1ith Feb
ruary until the 26un OF June last The
beating took place iaily, with Delaying pin,
q piece OF wood and the mates fists. This cruelty
reported to Captain Johnson who at once put
stop 10 1t. When the Captain was below, how
ever Carey watched for an opportunity ana took
MS victim out OF sight under the Jopgallant fore
castle and there beat him, leaving MIN IN depior-
able condition, with the blood running from his
nose and mouth. some time in the month OF April
brgnardeilo was found lyiDg nsensiole in the fore
castle when he was removed into a separate
locker forward, his body being literally black and
blue and covered With bruises. Every care and
attention was shown MIN bv Captain Johnson, and
wnen he sufficiently recovered and came on deck,
three or four days afterwards, he was discovered
10 be perfect maniac, not Knowing what he was
not be understood. on the arrival OF the vessel at
Havre Brignardeuo was sent to the hospital, where
he still remains.
The accnsed was yesterday brought before Com
missioner stillwel, being defended by eX-Judae
Beebe. Edward Lynch, ships carpenter OF the
Sovereign OF the seas the first witness ex-
Amined. He testified to the main lacts IN the case
rs set forth In the dispositions. The first trouble
between BrignardellO and the mate took place on
She l4th OF February last; after the anchor was
weighed ne said ne saw him strike the Italian
o Delaying pin two three times on the neck and
shoulders. the behaving WAS OF the USUAL
the man was beaten every day by the mate I'll
the vessel got near TO Cape Horn saw him strike
Brignardelio one DAY with piece of ash wood
four feet long one and half inches. by two wide :;
struck him with IL over the head anu shoulders
one OCCASION when they W nj aloft TO reef top
was standing on the yard saw him stamp on the
Italians head; The mate Was holding
70 the running gear: the Italian
had not done anything To ofleDd tle mate; he was
quite inonenslve, and was like child never saw
ine mate before The day they left tor san Francis
did; the ship at that time was at anchor-not
alongside the dock; the Italian w9s. as near as
witness could Judge, about thirty years old; he
shipped an able seaman; ne was not an aple
seaman; the mate asked HIM whether he was an
able seaman and he replied In the affirmative !;
bright; the FIRST difficulty occurred while they
were IN tow OF the steamer which took them out
In the stream.
Lynch was cross-examined at length by eX-
Judge Beebe but the witness held TO his original
story. Further proceedings were postponed until
trey different aspect Of affairs viii be developed
by the defence Mr.. Coudert watches the case for
the Italian government. EXAssstant District At
t0ypey Post conducts the prosecution