Middletown transcript., 1875-06-05

lULEIUWN, DELLA w ARE,
ferees could net settle it, to adopt hi
legal remedy. 1t should be remember
ed that suits against Duddingston 70
illegal acts were threatened before tn,
destruction of the Gaspee, and still
maintained, but the case of Hill hat
proved that these would not prevent hi
receiving justice in any good cause
where he might be plaintiff
To present an unbroken narrative o.
these important events requires that We
should pass over the next chapter to the
occurrences of year following the de-
struction of the Gaspec, and con6ne our
attention to that subject alone. When
the news reached England the kings
proclamation was issued, offering a re-
ward of FL 900 each for the arrest and
conviction of the two leaders of the af-
fair, and $500 each for any other of
the offenders, with free pardon in ad-
dition to any one concerned, except the
two chiefs. who would implicate the
rest A commission was issued to Jo-
seph Wantop, Governor of Rhode Is
land. Daniel Horsmanden, Frederick
Smythe and Peter Oliver, Chief Justi-
css Of New York, New Jersey and Mas
sachusetts, and Robert Auchmuty,
Judge Of Vice-Admiralty at Boston, or
any three Of them, to inquire into and
report upon the facts. Instructions
were given for their guidance, by the
third article of which they were requir-
ed to communicate to the government
Of Rhode Island any information they
might obtain as to the persons concerned
in the outrage, that they might be sent
to England for trial.
Meanw Lieutenant Duddiugston
bad returned to England. and was there
tried by court martial on board the Cen
taur, man-of-war, at Portsmouth, for
the loss of the Gaspee. Upon a full
inquiry, he was honorably acquitted
The commission and instructions
we're sent to Admiral Montagu, and by
him transmitted to Governor Wanton,
who at once notified the commissioners.
The kings proclamation was posted by
he sheriffs throughout the colony, and
The admiral was informed that the court
would probably assemble in about
week. Upon the arrival of the New
York and New Jersey Judges at New
pert. Wanton wrote to Montagu that
/ quorum was in attendance, and de-
tired his presence. Montagu excused
himself, but sent full powers to Cap
ain Keeler, of the Mercury, the senior
'ffice at the Newport station, to act in
lis stead. who was summoned to at
end at the opening of the court. The
lext day the commissioners met at
he tate-house, and continued in ses-
ion three weeks. Montagu's presence
vas deemed essential, and he accord
ngly came to Newport, but returned
o few days Duddingston had gone
0 England, and it was chiefly in re-
ard to his evidence that the admiral
vas summoned But the inclement
eason, the engagements of the Admiral
nd the absence of Duddingston so re-
ardsd proceedings that at the end of
hree weeks, spent in correspondence
nd in taking few depositiens, the
ourt adjourned for four months.
The admiralty instructed Montagu
nat he might intrust to Captain Keeler
is business with the court Of inquiry,
Mess his presence with them should
e indispensable. He accordingly sent
, Keeler two Of the Gaspee's company
ho had been sent out from England
} identify the prisoners. should any be
ken. Keeler notified Governor Wan
IN, as president Of the commission, of
leir arrival, but as he could not come
0 shore on account of writ being out
,ainst him, he desired notice of the
me of meeting, that he might send
ne of his officers with the witnesses. (
be full court being assembled, pro-
,edings were resumed. Further testi- |
ony was taken. and the depositions :
Aaron and others having been sub '
tilted to the justices Of the Superior {
ourt, their presence was requested by |
le commissioners. It was shown that {
aron's evidence was obtained under I
'mpulsion by Captain Linzee, Of the i
eaver, and hence was entitled to no ]
eight The commissioners declined ,
express an opinion on this point t
ntrary to that Of the justice. Moth t
G was discovered upon which an ar {
st could be made. 1t was proposed |
inquire into the affair of the schooner a
John, that occurred nine years be- G
re, but the motion was overruIed by G
ajority of the commission. After an t
ortive session of three weeks, final
port to the king was prepared. an v
uncing the failure to make any ma a
rial discovery in the matter, and the F