The Madisonian

From the Boston Post.

DESPERATE MUTINY AT SEA

On Saturday, nine seamen were brought before Judge Davis, upon the complaint of E. Smith, Jr., Acting District Attorney, charging them with a mutiny at sea, in February last. Their names are Richard Musserder. James T. Armstrong, Charles Stone, William Collins, Robert Crooks, John Tilton, John Winchester, John Johnson, and John Broughton. From several depositions forwarded by Robert H. Hunter, U S. Consul at Cowes, the following facts are disclosed: In January last, the ship Ulysses sailed from Baltimore to Amsterdam, with a cargo of tobacco and staves. The crew consisted of the captain, Henry Galt, two mates, ten able-bodied men before the mast, and steward and cook -in all fifteen. On the evening of Feb. 16th, while the nine prisoners named above, were below, a heavy squall arose, and the mate ordered them on deck to take in sail. They refused to obey the order, and gave for a reason that they did not get food enough. The mate repeated his order, and they again refused, unless he would agree that in future their allowance of victuals should be increased.

The mate refused to make any such condition, and reported their proposition to the captain, who directed him to go below and fetch up the ringleader, but when he went down he found them prepared for a deadly resistance, and determined not to permit Broughton, their "spokesman,"to be taken. In the meantime Captain Galt had armed himself with a cutlass, and placed a brace of pistols in the galley as a dernier resort. The mate having reported his inability to secure Broughton. the captain, armed with his cutlass, went below, and there found Broughton with a pistol, and Collins with a heaver, and the others with knives. He attempted to lay hold of Collins, but was knocked down, wounded in the face, and then had his legs tied. The mate came to his assistance, and snapped his pistol which missed fire. He called out to the steward for more priming, and Collins replied, "Fire and be damned. We have as many pistols as you have."

Collins then pointed his pistol.

The mates finding that they could not contend with the mutineers, used all their exertions to release the captain, and with the assistance of the steward, dragged him on deck, all covered with blood. The mutineers did not attempt to follow, and taking advantage of this circumstance, the officers suddenly fastened down the forecastle hatch. They further secured it by nailing a three inch plank across, and stowing a portion of the chain cable upon it. Thus they were confined and kept upon bread and water, day after day. At length they became clamorous for an increased allowance of water, and threatened to burst out from their uncomfortable prison. The captain replied that he would shoot them man by man if they attempted to break out, and as they were satisfied of his sincerity, they gave up the plan. The captain then increased their allowance of water to three pints a day. He also ordered the mate to propose to them to return to their duty, but they demanded conditions, and the captain would enter into none whatever, and the negotiation was broken off. He put into the port of Cowes, and reported the state of his crew to the consul, who upon examination, sanctioned his proceedings, and sent the mutineers, as prisoners, with him to Amsterdam, where they were transferred to a guard-ship. The Ulysses sailed for Baltimore, and the next vessel at Amsterdam bound to an American port being the York, Captain Larrabee, the prisoners were put on board of her, and brought to the port of Boston, on Friday last.

Among the depositions, was one by the steward respecting the provisions served out, and according to his statement, the bill of fare was capital for "sailor's grub."

Upon this statement of the facts the prisoners were committed for trial at the October term of the U. S. Circuit Court.