The Sun. — 1845-07-10 (London, England)

PALMER.  PLYMOUTH, JULY B.—The ten men (eight of them calling themselves Brazilians and two Spaniards) charged with the murder of the above unfortunate and promising officer and party, were examined at the Plymouth Guildhall this day. Although the intention of having the prisoners examined at the Guildhall was not generally known; the Guildhall was crowded with parties anxious to catch a view of the murderers. Mr. Eastlake, the Crown solicitor, appeared on behalf of the prosecution. The prisoners had the evidence interpreted to them, and Mr. Collier, the Portuguese consul, and Mr. Luscombe, the Spanish consul, attended by professional assistance, watched the case on behalf of the prisoners. From the opening statement of Mr. Eastlake, it appeared that the jurisdiction of the magistrates was under the 7th and Bth Victoria, which continued the powers under the 7th Geo. IV., relating to offences committed on the high seas, and for the more speedy trial of the offenders. The object of asking the magistrates to commit the prisoners on the capital charge was to have them tried either at the Castle of Exeter or at the Central Criminal Court, as the Government might determine. %The locus in quo was on the coast of Africa, at a place called Lagos, near the Bight of Benin, and the time February last. The details of the entire case were of the most dreadful description. It appeared that on the 27th Februry the boats of the Wasp boarded a suspicious Brazilian vessel, called the Felicitade, which, being found fitted for slaves, was taken as a prize. Very soon after another very suspicious vessel was descried, which proved to be the Echo, having a cargo of 434 ( who had been 48 hours without food) on board. Lieutenant Stupart, who was in command, took charge of the Echo, and directed Mr. Palmer and nine men to take charge of the Felicitade, into which ship nine from the Echo were re• moved. The next thing that Lieutenant Stupart heard of her was, that she had been recaptured by those on board, but he little deemed that the awful tragedy which would be detailed in evidence had been committed. The Felicitade hove in sight of the Echo, and communicated the intelligence just stated; but, being a faster sailer, made off. Fortunately, however, the Star within a very short time recaptured the Felicitade, then sailing under an assumed name, and the appearance of her decks were such as left no doubt that a horrible conflict had recently taken place. About four-and-twenty hours after the prize had been taken, three men volunteered a statement, to the effect that the slaver ws really called the Felicitade, and had been previously taken by a midshipman and party of nine men, who had all been murdered by the crew of the slaver. A book was found on board bearing the name of Lieutenant Stupart, of the Wasp, and this left no doubt of the correctness of the evidence offered by the approvers. As if the tragedy which had taken place was not sufficiently complete, the gallant officer who was placed in command of the slaver the second time, Lieutenant Wilson, had endured the utmost degree of suffering. The Felicitade,during a terrific storm, was overset, and Lieutenant Wilson,' with his men, were twenty days on a raft, exposed to the greatest danger, and momentarily expecting death. He saw no less than five of his men fall off thelraft, but was at length providentially picked up by the Cygnet. The gallant officer, though he had been exceedingly ill, was happily sufficient recovered to be present that day. Lieutenant Stupart, of the Wasp, was under examination at the time the post left. •