The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-12

wells ........... ~! asS
Windham ....... 324 252 0
Yarmouth. ..... $50 1874
York. ............ 284 29S 6
The Schooner Jefferson Borden.
At Browns wharf in this harbor lies the
notorious schooner, Jefferson Borden, on whose
spacious decks have been committed deeds, the
recital of which causes ones blood to curdle in
his veins, and whose name hasibecome associat-
ed so thoroughly with the story of the bloody
mutiny OF year or more ago as to cause the
mere mention of il to give forth an unpleasant
moral odor, that is, to say the least, ur healthy
in its associations. The story of the Jefferson
Borden mutiny is too familiar to need recapitu-
lating. Suffice it merely to remark that two
men are serving life sentence of imprson.
ment for numbering on the high seas the first
and second mates, a brother and cousin of
the captain of the vessel. 1t has been alleged
that cruelty On the part of sthe master of the
schooner had much to do with bringing about
the meeting. Whether this be true or false the
reader of the story can decide for himself, as
voluminous testimony is published concerning
the trial of the mutineers.
While this schooner was in Portsmouth har-
Dor Boston Herald correspondent investigated
some recent charges against Capt. Patterson
and gives lengthy account of the whole affair.
Capt. Patterson shipped the crew, of which we
are about to write, in Bermuda, for Alexandria,
Va. 1t consisted of ten men, seven of whom
were colored and three white. Arriving at
Alexandria the crew, with the exception of
one, reshipped, which fact certainly did not
in1ipatn crupltv ahuca 1bo &c Al
part of the captain during the voyage from
Bermuda to Virginia. The first and second
mates, however, did not choose to serve any
longer and took their discharge. At Alexandria
two new mates Zone of whom, however, failed
to put in an appearance before the vessel
sailed) were shipped, and new cook, German
by birth. After few days out it was found
that this professor Of cuisine was mere pre-
tender, and knew nothing of his business He
was accordingly reduced to the duties of an
ordinary seaman and sent into the forecastle
with the negroes, and son of Africa installed
in his place. From the hour.in which the Ger
man was sent forward" the voyage was one
connected series of growlings and grumblings
on the part of the vessels crew. The dis
affected and disappointed cook succeeded in
poisoning the minds of the occupants of the
forecastle and creating dssension and bitter
feelings, which had grown to aspositive hated
of the captain before the schooner arrived in
Portsmouth harbor. There was no instance of
positive refusal to do duty, although it came
very near it. The crew were insolent. so
much so that on one occasion one of
them called the mate a ID liar on
the main deck, in the presence of the
captain and the most of the vessels crew.
This was the moral condition of the men on
reaching this port This is the story of the
mate, uttered in apparent, good faith, and in
obedience to thorough conviction that the
Jefferson Borden is as square a man as ever
walked the quarter deck. There are always
two sides to a story, however, and to be just to
the crew in particular and humanity in general,
we must give some other statements CLEANED
from other sources
1t is stated upon reliable authority that the
crew were worked almost necessarily for six
teen hours or more after getting into harbor,
with scarcely anything to eat; and what makes
this compulsory act of the captain so fagrantly
unjust is the fact that the labor performed on
this occasion was that of hosting and lowering
the sail and other equally unnecessary work. 1t
is asserted that this "hoisting of the cable over
the fore yard" was imposed upon the men in
revenge for their grumbling during the voyage.
These evidence, of Capt Patterson's tyranny
were witnessed by wharf full of spectators
who fingered near the famous craft all day.
Old weather-beaten tars, whose pride is the
sheath knife, belt and horn of grease about
their waists, shake their heads ominously when
asked what they think of the Jefferson Bor-
denis equipments, her running rigging and gen.
eral findings, saying that, being poorly fitted
out, blocks and ropes being greatly the worse
Tor wear, she must necessarily give her
crew hard work and plenty of it,
Add to this the statement the crew were poorly
fed with poor food, and it affords key to the
solution of the trouble between the captain and
those in his employ. There are also number
of facts in regard to Captain Patterson's behay-l
ior since his arrival that do not reflect any
credit upon him, but would rather 60 to confirm
the truth of the reports concerning his arbitrary
disposition. But as they are somewhat irreve-
liant to the case at hand, we forbear giving
them, lest it might be construed into purpose
to prejudice the public against the unfortunate
and troubled captain.
Capt. Patterson is not now in this city, as he
has gone to his home in Edgecomb, on short
visit. He makes the following statement of
the charges against him:
The trial OF the pirates who murdered on the
2Oth OF April, 1875, two mates in cold blood on
the Jefferson Borden, of which was then and
am am now IN command, took place in September,
1910, resulting IN the conviction of the prison
ers and sentence of death, to be carried into
effect on the 14th of January, 1876, Amonth
or so after the close of the trial went to sea-,
As soon as had sailed, man named John A,
b. wilson, formerly minister in charge of the
Seamen's Bethel in Boston, became Interested
in the pirates and murderers above referred to.
and either believing or protesting to believe
their story. drew up petition, to which he sue
ceeded in obtaining the signatures of a great
number OF names, many of whom were those
OF Governors and ex Governors of Maine and
Massachusetts, Senators, Representatives,
United States officials of prominence, minis.
ters, sesfarlng men, captain and mates etc
This paper, so unanimously signeds went to the
PRESIDENT, who, instead Of referring it to the
attorney General or the Judiciary, or whatev
er department would have cognizance of the
truth or falsity of the statements therein con-
tanned, committed their sentences to imnrisor-
ment tor life. And the matter did not rest
here. ,Squi6 after squib was sent to the press
~ oh0 oASoeiou anu duOIner, commenting uDOn
the action of the President, and villifyinp and
abusing me, as the captain of the i'll fated yes
sci. All this was done in my absence. giving
me no chance to interpose against The proceed.
ingss. OF Wilson and his confederates, and af-
fordlng me no opportunity to defend myself
from the falsehoods circulated in regard to my
character as an officer by the press in New
England and the Middle states particularly.
In regard to brutality, starvation and expos
ure, have to say that it is an unmitgated
falsehood, and the balance of my crew will and
have refuted the SANDER. The hard work part
OF it is true, because we had very bad weather,
and hard labor was unavoidable. But beyond
that it is base lie.
And now, when reach home find this COM
mutation OF the sentences of these murderers
all done at my expense-at the expense of my
reputation as sea faring man, aye, even my
moral character, thus iDjuring me in my en-
beavers to obtain an honest livelihood, and inn
pairing my efforts to any degree of future sue
cess by stamping me with the foul blot of in
1amy IN the shape OF the Islander shown forth.
CORN PAoKING.-The sweet corn factory of
Burnham & Morrill, at Dunston Corner. Soar