Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Trial Of Richard Parker, The Mutineer, By Court Martial.
such messages , and aft as the principal in the business ? To this I can only answer that such was the case . The Delegates insisted on my assuming the situation I appeared in , and it was impossible for me , or any individual under similar circumstances , to have resisted such appointment . I knew nothing of the Mutiny till it had broke our . As soon as 1 saw that fatal spirit of Mutiny which prevailed , I immediately thought it my duty , and I endeavoured , as far as in me lay , to stop the further progress of . it . However
melancholy have been the events which have taken place , I am convinced more dreadful consequences would have ensued , hud I not afted the part I have done— -consequences which , I hesitate not in saying , I have prevented at the hazard of my life ; and feeling that I have done whatever was in my power to lessen the evil , which I could not wholly prevent , I can wait the decision of the Court with calmness and resignation . Admiral Buckner says he was " not received with that respeel which was due to his rank . I was
sorry that it should have been so , but that he cannot impute to me , as he was on board before me , and I-was at the time on shore , attending a procession ; and the Admiral himself acknowledges , that when I did go on board , I went on the quarter-deck , and said , ' it must have been owing to some mistake he was not received with the honours due to him , and I offered that the men should man the yards . He acknowledges an attempt was made to man the yards , which afterwards subsided . It was so ; an attempt -was made
by me to that effeft , though at that time it was a thing dangerous to propose , and was done at the risque of my life , for it was signified if it was complied with , that the Inflexible and the other ships would tire upon and sink the Sandwich ; a report having been propagated that Admiral Buckner was not a fit person to reconcile the Fleet with the Admiralty , which so discomposed our people , that the respeft intended to be shewn was defeated . Mr . Bray came on board from the Inflexible , where he said he had found the tompions
out of the guns , the matches ready , and every appearance of hostility . During the whole continuance of the Mutiny there were daily meetings of the Committe of the Delegates of the ships . The Delegates received propositions , for all measures originated on board the Inflexible , and there is not a man of the whole Fleet who does not attribute the melancholy consequences that took place to the violence of the people of that ship . It was to prevent those consequences I went en shore to Admiral Buckner , and when I was half
passage to' shore , I first observed the Admiral ' s flag down , and the ted one in its stead . In answer to what Admiral Buckner has said respecting the two Marines , I do not deny being commanded by the Delegates of the Fleet to aft as I did . The circumstances were these : the people called Delegates , representing the ships' companies were refreshing themselves with their usual allowance , which was a pint of beer each man . In "die mem true they were informed that two Marines were in custody of the main- Ruardfor approving
, of the conduct of the . Seamen . The Delegates desired me to enquire if it was S . ' . I did so . The officer said he had no such persons . We were informed that the two Marines were at Commissioner Hart-. veil ' s house . We accordingly went and told him to release the men , and send them on board , where their conduft should be enquired into , and the men punished , if they deserved it . We saw Admiral Buckner , who said the Marines had used very improper language at a house ar Queenborough . lie hud no objection to our
examining them . One of thenr appeared in a state of intoxication . I interrogated them , and Admiral Buckner said , ' Parker , you are asking very proper questions . ' The men were taken and sent to the Fleet , and the next day sent aboard their respective ships . It was requested by the Admiral they should be confined , and I understood that was complied with . I shall not observe further relative to my conduct on account . of the two Murine , but I beg leave to state this question to the Court , whether four men could have taken them away from a strong guard , and in the face of the-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Trial Of Richard Parker, The Mutineer, By Court Martial.
such messages , and aft as the principal in the business ? To this I can only answer that such was the case . The Delegates insisted on my assuming the situation I appeared in , and it was impossible for me , or any individual under similar circumstances , to have resisted such appointment . I knew nothing of the Mutiny till it had broke our . As soon as 1 saw that fatal spirit of Mutiny which prevailed , I immediately thought it my duty , and I endeavoured , as far as in me lay , to stop the further progress of . it . However
melancholy have been the events which have taken place , I am convinced more dreadful consequences would have ensued , hud I not afted the part I have done— -consequences which , I hesitate not in saying , I have prevented at the hazard of my life ; and feeling that I have done whatever was in my power to lessen the evil , which I could not wholly prevent , I can wait the decision of the Court with calmness and resignation . Admiral Buckner says he was " not received with that respeel which was due to his rank . I was
sorry that it should have been so , but that he cannot impute to me , as he was on board before me , and I-was at the time on shore , attending a procession ; and the Admiral himself acknowledges , that when I did go on board , I went on the quarter-deck , and said , ' it must have been owing to some mistake he was not received with the honours due to him , and I offered that the men should man the yards . He acknowledges an attempt was made to man the yards , which afterwards subsided . It was so ; an attempt -was made
by me to that effeft , though at that time it was a thing dangerous to propose , and was done at the risque of my life , for it was signified if it was complied with , that the Inflexible and the other ships would tire upon and sink the Sandwich ; a report having been propagated that Admiral Buckner was not a fit person to reconcile the Fleet with the Admiralty , which so discomposed our people , that the respeft intended to be shewn was defeated . Mr . Bray came on board from the Inflexible , where he said he had found the tompions
out of the guns , the matches ready , and every appearance of hostility . During the whole continuance of the Mutiny there were daily meetings of the Committe of the Delegates of the ships . The Delegates received propositions , for all measures originated on board the Inflexible , and there is not a man of the whole Fleet who does not attribute the melancholy consequences that took place to the violence of the people of that ship . It was to prevent those consequences I went en shore to Admiral Buckner , and when I was half
passage to' shore , I first observed the Admiral ' s flag down , and the ted one in its stead . In answer to what Admiral Buckner has said respecting the two Marines , I do not deny being commanded by the Delegates of the Fleet to aft as I did . The circumstances were these : the people called Delegates , representing the ships' companies were refreshing themselves with their usual allowance , which was a pint of beer each man . In "die mem true they were informed that two Marines were in custody of the main- Ruardfor approving
, of the conduct of the . Seamen . The Delegates desired me to enquire if it was S . ' . I did so . The officer said he had no such persons . We were informed that the two Marines were at Commissioner Hart-. veil ' s house . We accordingly went and told him to release the men , and send them on board , where their conduft should be enquired into , and the men punished , if they deserved it . We saw Admiral Buckner , who said the Marines had used very improper language at a house ar Queenborough . lie hud no objection to our
examining them . One of thenr appeared in a state of intoxication . I interrogated them , and Admiral Buckner said , ' Parker , you are asking very proper questions . ' The men were taken and sent to the Fleet , and the next day sent aboard their respective ships . It was requested by the Admiral they should be confined , and I understood that was complied with . I shall not observe further relative to my conduct on account . of the two Murine , but I beg leave to state this question to the Court , whether four men could have taken them away from a strong guard , and in the face of the-