THE TRIAL OF RICHARD PARKER, COMPLETE; PRESIDENT of the DELEGATES, FOR MUTINY, &c. On board the SANDWICH, and others of His Majesty's Ships, at the NORE, In MAY, 1797.
Before a Court Martial, held on board the NEPTUNE, of 98 Guns, Laying off GREENHITHE, near Gravesend, On THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1797, and following Days.
TAKEN IN SHORT HAND, ON BOARD THE NEPTUNE, BY JOB SIBLY.
Boston: PRINTED BY SAMUEL ETHERIDGE, FOR WILLIAM T. CLAP, FISH-STREET, Corner PROCTOR'S-LANE. 1797.
THE TRIAL OF RICHARD PARKER, PRESIDENT of the DELEGATES at the NORE, For Mutiny, &c. By the Command of the Lord High Admiral.
Whereas by a letter from Vice Admiral BUCKNER, in the River Medway, containing information that a most dangerous and mutinous assembly was made on board the SANDWICH, and others of his Majesty's ships at the Nore, on the 12th of May last; and whereas it is represented that RICHARD PARKER, belonging to his Majesty's fleet, was at the making of the same; and whereas we think that the said RICHARD PARKER has been active in making such mutinous assemblies, and for such offences as hereafter mentioned, do hereby direct a court martial to be made as soon as may be, to inquire into the conduct of the said RICHARD PARKER, for making such mutinous assemblies as aforesaid, on board his Majesty's Fleet at the Nore, and for disobeying the lawful orders of the commanders and officers of the said fleet, and treating his superior officers [...] disrespect.
- Admiral Sir THOMAS PASLEY, Bt. President.
- Sir ERASMUS COWER, NEPTUNE,
- Captain STANHOPE, DITTO,
- Captain WILLIAMSON, AGINCOURT,
- Captain MARKHAM, CENTAUR,
- Captain WELLS, LANCASTER
- Captain Sir J. WILLIAMS, ENDYMION,
- [Page 4] Captain E. RIOU, PRINCESS AUGUSTA,
- Captain Sir F. LAFOREY, Bt. HYDRA,
- Captain KING, SYRIAS,
- Captain LANE, ACASTO,
- Captain PIEREPOINT, NAIAD,
- Captain RAMAGE, PRINCE FREDERICK.
Court, to Prisoner.
Q. WHICH of the witnesses do you wish to be examined first?—A. Admiral Buckner.
All the witnesses must retire out of court, except Admiral Buckner.
Admiral BUCKNER, sworn.
Q. Do you know Richard Parker, the Prisoner?—A. I do.
Q. Did the prisoner belong to the Sandwich?—A. He did.
Q. What station was he in?—A. I do not know what capacity he was in.
Q. Repeat what you know of the prisoner's being concerned in a mutiny on board the Sandwich, and of any suspected conduct either on board or on shore, on or about the 12th of May, or of any instances of disrespectful language or conduct to his officers during the time this mutiny existed? A. The first time I observed any thing particular in the Prisoner's conduct, (further than parading about with a vast number of people on shore, with a red flag) was, on or about the 20th of May, when I went on board the Sandwich, for the purpose of making known to that ship and other's his Majesty's proclamation of pardon, on their returning to their duty, on the terms granted to their brethren at Spit-head, which the Delegates, (among whom was Parker) had previously assured me they would be satisfied with. On my going on board with my flag in a boat, there was no respect shewn me whatever. The officers were then without their side arms, and had no command in the ship. Unwilling to return on shore till an opportunity offered for my speaking to the people, I waited for a considerable time, when Parker, with others, came on the quarter-deck and said, that none [Page 5] others but themselves, (meaning, I presume, the ship's company) should be present. The prisoner then tendered me a paper, containing what he and others called a list of grievances, saying, at the same time, until those were redressed, they would not give up the power that was then in their hands. They insisted also on having it ratified by the Admiralty. Finding my efforts to restore order were of no avail, I went on shore. On the 22d, certain troops arrived at Sheerness. On the 23d, my flag was struck on board the Sandwich. On the evening of that day, I was at the Commissioner's house, and while I was inquiring into complaints alledged against two marines, that were brought in by a party of the Military, the Prisoner, and a man whom they called Davis, with three or four others, I believe, came abruptly into the house, and demanded why those men were in custody, telling me at the same time, that my flag was struck—that I had no authority, and that the power was in their hands. They then took the men away, as they said, to trial. An expression made use of by Parker was, that he was not to be intimidated. About the 4th of June, I received a letter from Parker, stating him as President of the Committee of Delegates.
Q. Did you receive it from Parker?—A. It was signed with his name: that letter stated, that Administration had acted improperly in stopping the provisions allowed the men, and that the foolish Proclamation was calculated to enflame the minds of honest men.
Q. What Proclamation?—A. The King's Proclamation, it could be no other, he did not say that; but he meant it. I have given you the detail, and have nothing more particular to relate—I have had frequent conferences with the Prisoner, and many others of them, and talked to them, in order to bring them to a sense of their misconduct, without any good effect; he in general took the lead as the spokesman, with a degree of insolence.
Q. Was there always a degree of insolence?—A. Not always, sometimes there was. He appealed to the rest, whether he was not authorised to speak the sense of the whole, and if it was their wish it should be so; [Page 6] And even prevented one man in particular, whose name I do not know, from answering a question I had put to him, he prevented him with threats: he turned round and said to him, at the same time. "Hold your tongue; if you do not, I'll take care of you," or words to that effect. While I was on board the Sandwich, I forgot to mention, that I remonstrated with the Prisoner, about keeping those disgraceful ropes called yard-ropes, hanging; but the Delegates, among whom was the Prisoner, refused to remove them. I tried to prevail on them to return to their duty, their answer was, that the ship's company would not suffer them.
Q. Was it with Parker?—A. It was him as well the rest, they were all standing together, the men who styled themselves Delegates.
Q. In your conversations with him, did he ever appear with a degree of insolence?—A. He frequently did, but not uniformly; sometimes with a great deal of modesty, and of apparent respect, but very often otherwise.
Q. Was Lieutenant Justice the officer who brought the report of the mutiny breaking out on the 12th of May?—A. He was the officer who brought the account of the breaking out of the mutiny in the Sandwich.
The Court wishes Admiral Buckner's Letter to be read (it was ready and two others, the substance of which was stated in Admiral Buckner's evidence.
The following Letter from Richard Parker to Admiral Buckner, was read also.
"Vice Admiral BUCKNER. Sir, I am commanded to inform you, that we have this day taken the opinion of the Delegates of the Fleet, they universally agree, that the conduct of Administration has been highly improper in slopping the provisions allowed the seamen, and that the foolish Proclamation which we have received, tends only to exasperate the minds of honest men who are serving their country. I am, Sir, Your humble servant, RICHARD PARKER." Sheerness.
Q. Do you believe the letters now read to be original?—A. I do, I have no reason to doubt it.
[Page 7] Court, to Prisoner. Q. Have you any questions [...] ask Admiral Buckner?—A. Yes, I have.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. The Admiral mentions being on board the Sandwich, on the 20th of May, and having been received with no respect on coming on board; I wish to ask, who was on board first on that day, you or I?A. I believe I was on board first.
Q. I would beg leave to ask, do you think I was the person who caused you to be received with no respect?—A. I meant to say, that I was not received as I ought to be, I was received without a guard; as to the Prisoner, I was on board before him, and they attended me with a number of flags, not red flags, but union. I cannot answer the question the Prisoner puts, because I was on board before him.
Q. Do you deem me to be the person who caused you to be received with no respect?—A. I cannot say.
Q. Admiral Buckner, please to recollect, whether I did not come on the quarter-deck, seeing you was received without respect, and informed you, (after asking the ship's company why they could be so disgraceful as not to cheer their Admiral on coming on board) that it originated entirely in a mistake, but if you would excuse it, and receive it now, the crew would give you three cheers?—A. You did come to me and say, that no disrespect was intended me; some attempts, I believe, were made to man the ship, and you did say, that if I would receive it then, the people would man the yards; some attempts were made for that purpose, but by very few, the yard-ropes were hanging then.
Q. Does Admiral Buckner recollect that on going on shore he was attended by the boats of the Sandwich, and some other boats of the fleet, seeing no flag flying?A. When I was going on shore I did not know that my flag was struck: several boats attended me.
The Court advised the Prisoner to invalidate, if he could, by any question, that part of the narrative of Admiral Buckner which stated, that he had released two marines, and told the Admiral that all his authority on board was at an end, that he had no authority, and that the power was in their hands.
[Page 8] The Prisoner put no question to this effect.
The Admiral re-examined by the Court.
Q. When the Prisoner treated you with apparent respect and modesty, was it privately, or publicly before the ship's company?—A. I never had any private conversation with him, and never saw him excepting once before the ship's company. When I saw him it was generally in a parade with a number of men from different ships, calling themselves Delegates.
Q. When the Prisoner came to you to apologize for the want of respect on the part of the people on board, did he appear to influence or command the people?—A. I conceive by his coming to me to make the apology, he must have had some command in the ship. I had no opportunity of making that observation, as immediately after, he left the quarter-deck, and I did not see him again till he came with the paper before mentioned.
Lieutenant JUSTICE, of the SANDWICH, sworn.
Q. Did you hear the charge?—A. Yes.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner?—A. I do.
Q. Did he belong to the Sandwich?—A. I believe he did.
Q. Relate what you know of the Prisoner's conduct during the mutiny?—A. I was turned ashore about Friday, the 12th of May.
Q. By whom?—A. By the crew. About eight o'clock, I gave orders to pipe all hands to breakfast, and at hast part nine, to clear hawse. The ship's company got on the booms and gave three cheers, which was immediately answered by the Director.—They then rove the yard-ropes and pointed the forecastle guns aft; I immediately went forward and remonstrated with them on their conduct; they all answered they wanted their grievances redressed; I told them I would go on shore and inform the Admiral of it.
Q. On the 12th, when the people cheered, were there any particular person that you observed to be a leader of this party. A. On this occasion, I believe, the whole ship's company were engaged, one and all of them.
[Page 9] Q. Do you know any thing of the Prisoner but from the general mutiny?—A. I only know him from the general mutiny.
Q. When he came on the 11th, wit his behaviour respectful?—A. I saw him on the 11th, he delivered me a letter; then his behaviour was respectful.
Q. Did you see him on the forecastle when the guns were pointed aft?—A. I did not.
Q. Was you the Commanding Officer of the Sandwich on the morning of the 11th and 12th? A. Yes.
Q. Did you read an official paper writing, communicated by Admiral Buckner, representing that a vote of the House of Commons had passed, granting: 372,000l to answer the expenses which the requisitions of the seamen made a [...] Portsmouth, rendered necessary?—A. Yes, I did myself.
Q. How was it received?—A. With three cheers, as soon as I read it.
Q. On returning to the Sandwich on the morning of the 12th of May, after reporting the mutiny that existed, do you remember acquainting me that the people had given charge of the ship to Mr. Bray, the Master?—A. I think I do.
Q. You must recollect it? A. Yes, I do.
Q. Do you remember order being given to the Master, from the Committee, or a set of men who had usurped that power, that no officers should interfere with any duty of the ship, but the Master? A. I heard of it as soon as I came on board; I did not hear it myself.
Q. Did you order the boatswain to pipe all hands aft? A. Yes.
Q. Was it obeyed? No.
[Here Captain Moss was proceeding to put questions to shew that every thing had been done to restore discipline, but the Court thought it unnecessary.]
Prisoner PARKER'S Question.
Q. You have said you know nothing individually of me? A. Yes.
Prisoner. Then I have no questions to ask.
Captain O'BRYAN, of the NASSAU, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. No, I was not on board my ship till the mutiny was over.
Captain FANCOURT, of the AGAMEMNON, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. No.
Q. Was the Prisoner ever on board of your ship? A. Never to my knowledge.
Captain COBB, of the LION, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. No.
Q. Was he ever on board your ship? A. Not to my knowledge.
Captain PARR, of the STANDARD, sworn.
Q. Do yon know the Prisoner? A. I never saw him before in my life.
Q. Was he ever on board the Standard? A. Not to my knowledge.
Captain WATSON, of the ISIS, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. No, I do not.
Q. Was he ever on board the Isis? A. I have heard so, but do not know it.
Captain HARCOURT, of the LEOPARD, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. No, I do not.
Q. Do you know of his being, on board the Leopard? A. No, I do not.
Mr. SNIPE, Surgeon of the SANDWICH, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. Yes.
Q. Did he belong to the Sandwich when you was Surgeon? A. Yes.
Q. What was the Prisoner on board the Sandwich? A. He was a supernumerary on board.
Q. How long do you recollect him on board? A. Not before the 14th of May.
Q. Repeat what you know of the Prisoner making any mutinous assembly on board the Sandwich, or of any mutinous conduct to you, or any inferior Officer? A. On the afternoon of the 14th of May, I was ordered [Page 11] to attend the punishment of one of the seamen on board the Sandwich, whose name was Cammell.
Q. By whom was you ordered to attend? A. By Mr. Bray, the Master, who said it was the Committee's order, that I should attend the punishment: I went on deck, the Prisoner was standing on the gangway; as soon as the said Cammell was tied up, the Prisoner made a speech to the ship's company, acquainting them with the offence, which was drunkeness, and informed them, that if they violated the laws laid down by the Committee, they would share the same fate.
Q. What do you mean by the Committee? A. By the Committee, I understand the members from the different ships, calling themselves Delegates.
Q. Was the Prisoner one of them? A. Yes, Two or three days after the above circumstance, one of the ship's corporals of the Sandwich, whose name I believe is Wilson, came to me with orders from the Committee, that I should go between decks, as there was a man in irons who was very ill with a fever. I went, and saw the person that was then in irons, and I immediately desired the said ship's corporal to go to the Committee, and say that it was absolutely necessary for the prisoner to be taken out of irons, and removed into the sick birth. He returned with an answer, that it was the Committee's order that I should make the report in person. I accordingly went to the starboard bay, on the lower deck, and there found a vast crowd of people assembled. I asked whom I was to address? The Prisoner, Parker, desired me to address him. I told him it was necessary to remove the sick man, who was in irons: he said, ‘It is not our intention to interfere with you at all; you may do with the sick whatever you think proper.’ When I was leaving what they called the Committee-room, one of the people, whom I supposed to be a Delegate, said "Take off your hat, Sir." Then I turned round to see if I could recognize any of the Sandwich's people; and some one said, "Be gone." It was not the prisoner, however.
[Page 12] Q. Who was he under confinement by? A. I know he was not under confinement by the Officers of the ship.
Q. Had you ever received an answer from Parker with respect to the sick? A. I generally received a similar answer from Parker, "Do as you please with the sick." I sent to the Committee for permission to go on shore.
Q. By whom? A. By Davis, who was then a commanding Officer in the ship, (as I understood) upon the quarter-deck. I was ordered by Davis to attend the Committee, and I then asked their permission to go on shore, as I had found some sick on board, that wanted to go into the Hospital. The Prisoner, Parker, recommended to the Committee to allow me to go, on condition I should return the next morning; and I told them, I would use my influence with Admiral Buckner, with respect to the sick. I went ashore, and never returned, till the ship was under the command of the regular officers. One day, some time in May, during the mutiny, when Capt. Moss was speaking to the Prisoner on deck, and remonstrating with him on the many improprieties which the men, then in a state of mutiny, were committing, the prisoner said, that "till their grievances were redressed, they would not one of them shrink," or words to that effect, if they did, he was certain they would be run up there, pointing to the yard arm, where the ropes were reeved.
Q. In all your visits to those people, did you understand that he was the leading man? A. I understood him to be the President of them.
Q. You found the Prisoner haranguing; did he seem to direct the proceedings? A. Parker ordered the Boatswain's Mate to do his duty, and give twelve lashes.
Q. Did Parker order the punishment and the number of lashes? A. Yes, he did.
Q. In what capacity does the witness mean to say that Davis acted? A. I understood that Davis officiated as Captain of the ship.
[Page 13] Q. When did these facts take place? A. The punishment was on the 14th of May.
Q. When you understood Davis acted is Captain, how did you understand the prisoner to act? A. As President of the Committee, and it was generally so understood.
Q. Do you recollect where the Prisoner was sitting, when you went into the Committee-room, and what station he seemed to hold? A. He was sitting at the head of the table, and acted as President.
Q. Did he not act as leading man and President on all occasions? A. Yes, he did, when I saw him.
Q. Do you remember the day when the Admiral's flag was hauled down? A. I do not immediately recollect the day of the month, but I recollect being on deck, and that it was not up; I did not see it hauled down, but I saw the red flag in its place. When I saw the red flag flying, it struck me as the most daring outrage I had ever seen in the course of my life.
Q. Did the Prisoner, at the time, give orders to assemble the people on deck? A. I understood it was by his orders they attended the punishment alluded to; but I never heard him give such orders.
Q. Do you know who took the author by out of Mr. Bray, the master's hands? A. I was not on board then.
Q. By whose orders was Cammell, the sick person, confined, and for what offence? A. By the Mutineers assembled, calling themselves the Committee.
Q. For what offence? A. For drunkeness.
Q. Did the Prisoner at the bar, at the time Captain Moss remonstrated with him, stand with his hat off? A. His hat was on.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you recollect Mr. Bray, the Master, being on the gang-way at Cammell's punishment? A. I do not know whether he was on the gang-way; but he was on dock, somewhere.
Q. Do you recollect Mr. Bray, being consulted on the punishment of Cammell, who got beastly drunk with small-beer? A. I do not.
[Page 14] Q. When you mentioned my pointing to the yard-ropes, and saying I was sure no one would shrink; that if they did, they would go to the yard-arm; did you suppose I meant any thing else, than that, if the people called Delegates, were to propose such a thing to the ship's company, that they themselves (the Delegates) would be the sacrifice alluded to? [A Member of the Court observed, that the prisoner should be cautious what questions he put, as they might criminate himself.] The question was withdrawn.
Captain SURIDGE, of the IRIS, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. I have seen him before, several time.
Q. Have you ever had any conversation with him? A. No, I never had any conversation with him myself.
Q. Was he ever on board the Iris, to your knowledge? A. No, not to my knowledge: I have been present at conversations between him and Admiral Buckner, and Commissioner Hartwell, at Sheerness.
There was a band of music playing, and they paraded through the town of Sheerness, with a red flag, he and another man that I know, were generally foremost: I have seen him parading with the red flag, both in a boat and on shore. At one of the conversations at Commissioner Hartwell's house, as near as I can recollect, the Prisoner said, he envied no officer his command, as he experienced many difficulties and troubles in the situation in which he was placed. He was at that time, apparently modest and respectful. The last time he was ashore, I saw him land with two other Delegates, one from the Nassau, the other from the Standard, a paper was given to Commissioner Hartwell, in the name of the Delegates of the North Sea Fleet, as containing their demands; on reading it, the Commissioner told the Prisoner, he was sorry it contained so much matter, as he could not think of going to London with it, but had they confined themselves to the articles they had shewn him before, he would have gone to the Admiralty with them, and that if they were determined to insist on those last Articles, it would be unnecessary for him to take any farther trouble in the [Page 15] business. I do not remember the reply of the Prisoner. I believe [...] Prisoner went away, with a resolution not to come back again.
Q. When you saw the Prisoner passing in the boat with the red flag flying, did you see any other persons sitting or standing with him, besides the band of music?—A. There were others.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you recollect that I desired Commissioner Hartwell to converse with those Delegates of the North Sea Fleet, and endeavour to convince them, as the [...] Articles that were objected to, the Fleet at the Nor [...] had nothing to do with, as they were presented, by the North Sea Fleet?—A. I do not.
Q. Was you there all the time?—A. Not the [...] time.
Q. Did you join in the conversation?—A; I desired the Delegates to consider well what they were about.
Q. Do you recollect I said that the conversation would come better from them, who were the North Sea Fleet Delegates, as they presented the articles objected to?—A. I do not recollect.
Captain DICKSON, of L'ESPION, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner, and have you heard the charge against him?—A. I have heard that the Prisoner belongs to the Sandwich, and I have heard the charge.
Q. Relate what you know of the charge?—A. I remember well, on or about the 20th of May, that Admiral Buckner flag was hoisted in the bow of the boat; he was in full uniform, and I accompanied him to the ships at the Great Nore, in order to intimate his Majesty's most gracious pardon to the crews of the several vessels under his command. In going on board the Sandwich, he was received without any respect due to his rank as a Flag Officer. Instead of accepting the pardon, the Prisoner held in his hand several new propositions to be redressed, under the head of Grievances, The Admiral was detained upwards of three hours on board, in consequence of the ship's companies [Page 16] not coming to a determination respecting the propositions, at the end of which time, they were presented by the Prisoner to Admiral Buckner, in his cabin. The Admiral returned on shore, and was suffered to depart without the respect due to his rank, the man-ropes were on the yards, and the yard-ropes reeved, and the Admiral treated with much disrespect, for which the Officers appeared extremely concerned, not having it in their power to treat their Admiral with the proper and usual respect. I considered, therefore, the crew to be in a high state of mutiny; several days after, I was at Commissioner Hartwell's house, the Admiral was there, it was reported to him, that two marines had been brought to the guard-house for examination, by the military. As I then stood at the fore-door, I saw the Prisoner, who asked me, if the Commissioner could be spoken with; my answer was, I believed he was to be spoken with. The Prisoner came in, accompanied by one Davis, and demanded to know the reason why the soldiers had brought the marines there. The Admiral asked him what right he had to make such a demand; the Prisoner said, "I am not to be intimidated—your flag is struck, you have no authority here. I or We, (I do not recollect positively which) command the fleet." Parker immediately took out a paper, and put questions to the marines; to one in particular. He was suffered to interrogate them and carry them away. During this last interview with Admiral Buckner, the Prisoner behaved with the most daring insolence and contempt. I have frequently seen the Prisoner head a body of men, whom they call Delegates of the fleet, and pass and repass Commissioner Hartwell's house, with a red flag displayed in their procession.
Prisoner PARKER'S Question.
Q. Do you recollect when you came on board with Admiral Buckner, whether I did not go between decks to exhort the men to treat the Admiral with proper respect, as well as to apologize for their not doing it?
[Here the Court observed that the tendency of this question, was to shew that he had the command of the ship, the question was therefore withdrawn.]
The Witness examined again by the Court.
Q. Do you recollect any other particulars of the conversation between the Admiral and the Prisoner?—A. The Admiral told him he could not take the proposals to London, and could do no more in the business.
Q. Do you recollect when you went with Admiral Buckner, any conversation between him and the Prisoner, at the time you formerly mentioned?—A. I recollect that Admiral Buckner told them, that as he, the Prisoner, and the Delegates had pledged themselves to abide by the same regulations their brethren at Spithead had been satisfied with, he was astonished to find that new propositions were advanced, and was certain they could not be granted, at which the Prisoner, and five other Delegates with him find, it was the determination of the ship's company to abide by the latter propositions; the Prisoner said, the ship's company authorized him, that was the meaning, if not the direct words.
END OF THE FIRST DAY'S TRIAL.
SECOND DAY's TRIAL. Friday Morning, 10 o'clock.
MY Lord, I would wish to know whether after a Court Martial is commended, fresh Witnesses are permitted to come forward, who were [...] summoned at the opening of the Court.
I must certainly tell you, that no evidence will be produced against you that was not [...] before the trial; [...] I think it is perfectly legal at a witness may be called, that was not summoned before the trial.
I am perfectly of the same opinion, as to its legality.
Captain WOOD, of the HOUND Sloop, sworn.
Q. Did you hear the charge read? A. Yes.
Q. Do you know the prisoner? A. Yes, perfectly.
Q. Did he belong to the Sandwich, and in what station was he? A. He was a supernumerary on board the Sandwich.
Q. Do you know how long he belonged to the Sandwich? A. I cannot say how long he had been on board the Sandwich, he was on board the Hound, in April last, and was sent from the Hound to the Tender, on the 11th of April.
Q. Was he sent from the Tender to the Sandwich?
A. I do not know.
Q. Relate to the court what you know of the Prisoner, of any improper expressions to any of the officers, and of the mutiny about the 12th of May? A. I saw nothing of the Prisoner at the time of the mutiny, until the 2d of June, on which day he came on board the Hound, on her arrival at the Nore; he then told me, that be had the honor of representing the whole fleet, an honor, he should never forget, that he understood that I had been very violent with some of the Delegates, and he advised me not to be so violent, for if I was, I must take the consequence. He then told me, that he did not like the ship's company, and that he knew they were attached to me; for which reason, he should put the ship in a safe birth where she could not make her escape. He ordered the pilot to get the ship under weigh, and to carry her as close to the Sandwich as possible; the pilot told him, it was an improper time of tide: the prisoner told the pilot, that if he did not choose to get her under weigh immediately, he would find means of making him, and at the same time he pointed to the yard-ropes. The Pilot got her under weight, and brought her close to the Sandwich, and the Prisoner ordered the anchor to be let go. We were then hailed from the Sandwich, saying, we were too near them; the Prisoner replied, I think we are, Mr. Davis. He immediately turned to the pilot with [Page 19] threatening language, and did to him, you have committed one mistake, take care you do not commit another, if you do, I will make a beef-steak of you, at the yard-arm. The Prisoner ordered the pilot to get her under weigh again, and to moor her between the Sandwich and the Inflexible; she was got under weigh, and came round to the Sandwich's quarter; then the prisoner had the hands turned up and harangued them, but what passed, I cannot exactly say. One thing I heard him say was, that he found they were not hearty in the cause, and that he should be obliged to replace them with other people. He asked them if they had any complaints against their officers, if they had, those that they disliked, were to be turned on shore, and those that they liked were to be kept on board. He said a vast deal to the people: after this, he ordered me out of the ship.
Q. How do you know that the Prisoner ordered you out of the ship? A. One of the Delegates came and said, that I must leave the ship; I asked the man by whose orders, the man replied, by President Parker's order.
Q. Did he say by that name? A. Yes, he said by President Parker's orders, (the Prisoner.) The man told me, I was a dangerous character, and I ought to be lashed on board the Inflexible, or on board the Montague. I saw them often, they were frequently rowing about with the red flag in the boat, and the Prisoner haranguing them. I think they had a band of music, I saw him address the ship's people, but did not hear him, and they cheered him as he passed. There was a man put in irons, and I was told, it was by the order of the Prisoner: I saw the Prisoner go forward and speak to him, and threaten him. I wrote two letters while I was on board, one on the Admiralty service, and the other a private one; the Prisoner brought them back to me, they would not be allowed to go on short, without being opened: I took my private letter, and told him he might open the other. He asked me who they were for, I told him; he said, there could be no communication on shore. One of the men standing by, desired him not to open it, he replied [Page 20] immediately to him, "Hold your tongue, you scoundrel, or I will have you at the yard-arm." He opened the letter and told me, he would send it on shore in the sick boat in the morning.
Q. Did the Prisoner open it? A. I did not see him open it.
Q. Did he confine you? A. He did not confine me, but he told me I must have nothing to do with the ship. He likewise told me and the officers, that he pitied our situation, but that they must go through with it, for the good of the cause they had embarked in.
Q. When the Prisoner advised you not be violent to the Delegates, do you conceive that that advice was to prevent any mischief that might follow, or to deter you from doing your duty? A. The Prisoner told me, that he advised me as a friend, as he understood I had driven some of the Delegates out of the ship by threatening to put them to death: at that time I had some conversation with him, I asked him why he wished to send people on board, to force the ship's crew into the business, and I told him, that my people was willing and wished to have nothing to do with it, as they had made no complaints. He told me that it was for the good of the whole, and they must have to do with it.
Q. When the prisoner ordered the pilot to get the ship under weigh, and he refused, the Prisoner said, he would find means to make him, pointing to the yard-ropes: were the yard ropes reeved previous to her coming to the Sandwich? A. I think they were reeved by the Prisoner's order.
Q. Was you on board the Sandwich? A. No, I was on board the Hound: I never was on board the Sandwich.
Q. I wish to know whether they were reeved subsequent to the Prisoner's coming on board that ship? A. They were reeved after he was on board the Hound.
Q. Who directed the men in the ship after she was got [...] A. There was no sail set, she was dropped [...] the [...]de, without sailing.
Prisoner PARKER'S Question.
Q. You have said, that I advised you, as a friend. I now beg you to recollect, whether I did not say to you, (when I came on board the Hounds Captain Wood, the differences that are now existing in the fleet, are of a very unpleasant nature: I feel myself in some degree, under an obligation to you; therefore, I would advise you to have nothing to do with it at present, but suffer the Hound to proceed as the rest of the ships, and I had no doubt, in the course of a day or two, at the farthest, the Officers would resume their common command? A. I recollect when he came on board, he said he was under obligations to me, for sending him back to the Tender, for which reason, he had come to advise, me not to be so violent; but I do not recollect any thing about the Officers resuming their command.
When the Prisoner had the hands turned up and harangued them forward, do you mean, that the Prisoner ordered the Boatswain, or Boatswain's Mate, to turn them up. A. I heard him order the Boatswain's Mate to turn them up, and send them forward.
Q. Was it an order? A. He ordered him to turn the hands up and send them forward.
NICHOLAS FLATT, 3d. Lieutenant of the SANDWICH, sworn.
Judge Advocate, to Prisoner. Q. This is one of the evidences called upon by your request. A. Yes he is called upon by me, but he is now at this time against me.
Q. Did you hear the charge?—A. Yes.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner?—A. Yes.
Q. Did the Prisoner belong to the Sandwich, and in what station was he on board?—A. Yes, he was a supernumerary on board that ship.
Q. Do you know how long he has belonged to that ship?—A. I cannot tell, exactly.
Q. You will relate to the Court what you know of the Prisoner, according to the station he was in, during the existence of the mutiny on board the Sandwich?—A. I did not know the Prisoner at the beginning of the mutiny, the first of my knowledge [Page 22] of him was, at the time when Admiral Buckner came on board; I saw the Prisoner give a paper to Admiral Buckner, stating the grievances of the fleet; I heard the Prisoner say, that he was President of the Delegates of the fleet; I saw the Prisoner and the Delegates, going in boats frequently, the Prisoner acted as commander, in them: I remember he was very active, and constantly attended the Committee. On the 2d of June, (looks at a paper)—
Q. Are these [...] written by yourself A. Yes, they are. The Prisoner desired me to go over on the starboard side of the deck, and receive orders. He said, you are ordered to receive 111 Men from the Leith Tender, and that I was to [...] a receipt for them, as usual, and they were answerable. I replied, I had no order from Admiral Buckner, to receive th [...], and that having now no command, my receipt was of no use; the only answer I had from him was, "we are answerable for what we do." He mustered the men and I gave a receipt. I was again sent for by the Committee, on the 4th of June, and ordered to give a receipt for 15 men from the Leith Tender, which I complied with: I was then [...]old by Davis, it was by the Prisoner's and the Committee's order. Thomas Davis was the person who came to me. On or about the 9th of June, I was a Prisoner in the wardroom. I saw the Prisoner passing in a boat, under the [...] of the ship, I heard three cheers given over-head; as they [...], the Prisoner said, that he was going on board the Director, and that he would bring a spring up [...] Director's [...]able; that he would send them and her [...], ( [...]aning the Repulse) as I believe. The [...] was then a-ground in Sheerness [...]arb [...]r. I saw the Prisoner go on board the Director, and saw the spring on her cable; after he went on board, a very heavy [...]re commenced on the Repulse. From that ship, I did not see the Prisoner return. On the 12th of June, to the best of my recollection, I was released from my Confinement, and in the after [...] of the same day, I was confined again.
Q. Who signed your release? A I was released, but I do not know by whose orders. On [Page 23] Monday, or Tuesday, about the 14th of June, the Prisoner came down from the deck and released me, and told me, I might walk on deck, but must have no conversation with the people. The Prisoner sent to Mr. Mott, on the same day, I think it was Tuesday. who came on the quarter-deck; I do not know what passed, but they called all hands by the prisoner's order; he told Mr. Mott to go on shore, and bring his Majesty's pardon, he asked the people if they were willing that Mr. Mott should go, the answer by the people was, they were willing, and wished that the ship might be given up to the officers. Some of the people wished the white colors to be hoisted, and the blue colors hauled down, before Mr. Mott went. Mr. Mott and myself called out, "haul down the blue colors, and hoist the white," several of the people attended.
The Prisoner then made answer and said to me, that if we hauled down the blue, and hoisted the white, or changed the colors, there were three ships that would fire upon us. I called out again to stop the colors from being hoisted, till Lieutenant Mott should return. Lieutenant Mott agreed in that particular, and the people also. Lieutenant Mott went to the shore, and brought the King's proclamation: then the Prisoner ordered all hands up, and it was read upon the quarter deck, by William Clark, deputy-purser. The Prisoner then spoke to the people and asked them, whether they were willing to accept of His Majesty's pardon, or to let her remain with us, as the Prisoner termed it, (meaning themselves) the people all answered, to the Officers, excepting two of the prisoners, now in custody, (Thomas Jones, and one Davis) who then said, the ships a-stern would fire on us: the Prisoner also said, if we changed our colors, the ships a-stern would fire on us.
Q. Do you mean to say, that the Prisoner, as well as Jones and Davis, objected changing of the colors? A. Yes: then the people all called out, haul down the blue, and hoist the white. I then said, (and I will repeat the words now in the language I used at that time) they may fire and be damned: then the Prisoner joined the others in opinion, and said, we [Page 24] will give three cheers, and they all followed his request. Court. Q. Did he join with them? A. Yes, be did. I then demanded the key of the magazine and small-arms, of the Prisoner, which he complied with, by saying, "here arc the keys of the magazine, I give them up, and the charge of the ship to you, you being the senior Officer."
I gave orders to get ready for unmooring the ship, as soon as the arms were secured by the Steward. The Prisoner came to me and said, "that if we offered to unmoor, the ships astern would fire on us." I told him, I did not care if they did: the Prisoner then said, "he was ready to come and assist me." He afterwards came to me, and desired me to confine him, as he supposed he should be soon confined. I then told him, I would order him to a cabin, (a separate one) he refused going and said, he would heave at the capstan.
Q. What part of the ship was the Prisoner doing duty on board? A. No particular part of the ship, this was on Tuesday evening, about half past nine o'clock.
Q. Was the Captain come on board? A. No: we had only been unmooring her.
Q. Are you sure it was Tuesday? A. I think it was. I consulted with the Officers, whether it was proper to confine the Prisoner before we got under weigh, or wait till we came to the garrison at Sheerness; and it was agreed upon, that we should confine him immediately. Lieutenant Mott and myself went and met the Prisoner on the quarter-deck: Lieutenant Mott laid hold of the Prisoner, and brought him down to the lower deck, and put him into a lieutenant's cabin, and placed two centinals over him. The morning after I went down, about four o'clock, and put the Prisoner in irons: Captain Moss was gone on shore.
Q. At the time you put the Prisoner in irons, was it occasioned by any new matter or signs of violence? A. No, it was not occasioned by any new matter or signs of violence in him, but only to comply with Admiral Buckner's order, to confine the Prisoner more securely.
[Page 25] Q. Previous to your releasement, had the major part of the men of war sailed, or separated themselves from the Nore? A. Several were separated and had gone up the Thames.
Q. What was the reason assigned for your releasement, and by whose order and authority? The Prisoner himself released us the last time.
Q. For what reason? A. He assigned no reason at all.
Q. Do you know whether the Prisoner had been accosted by any person demanding your releasement, or the whole of the Officers? A. I was informed that one John Cammell, a black man, demanded our releasement, but did not hear it myself.
Q. Who informed you of it? A. Lieutenant Moss mentioned it.
Q. You saw the Prisoner go to the Director from the Sandwich: was any body in the stern sheets of the boat with him? A. I do not remember any but the boat's crew.
Q. Was you the senior Officer when it first began?
A. When the mutiny first began, Lieutenant Justice was the senior officer.
Q. In the course of your evidence, you have distinguished the Prisoner by the name of President; do you know during the existence of the mutiny, whether the Prisoner ever assumed any other title, or was ever addressed by the crew with any particular mark of distinction? A. No, I do not. He was distinguished by no other name, than the President of the Committee; he called himself so, I never heard of any other.
Q. What commands did you observe the Prisoner give, which make you say he acted as a commander in the boats? A. He ordered the boats to be manned, which was complied with, and when he went over the side, the boatswain's ma [...]e attended him.
Q. What was his conduct? A. It was compliant.
Q. What was the Prisoner's conduct, when he got the keys? A. It was not I who delivered them up.
[Page 26] Q. Do yon know how he got the keys of the magazine? A. No, I do not.
Q. Were you closely confined? A. We were confined to the ward-room for a short time, from Sunday, June the 11th, to Monday, June the 12th.
Q. You was suffered to be frequently on deck? A. Yes, frequently.
Q. But you was suspended from your situation as officers, at the first breaking out of the mutiny? A. We were suspended, but not by the Prisoner.
Q. After the officers were suspended from their situations of command, who was understood to be the principal commander and leading man among the mutineers? A. At the first breaking out of the mutiny, the master was appointed commanding officer, and for the rest of the time, one Davis was: who is now a prisoner.
Q. Do you remember seeing on board, during the mutiny, a plan of defence hanging up upon the Sandwich quarter deck, or under her poop? A. No, I do not, I never saw it.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. You have related being on the quarter-deck after the return of Lieutenant Mott from Admiral Buckner, with the proclamation—Were you present on the quarter-deck the whole time of its being read and taken into consideration? A. Yes, I was.
Q. Do you recollect my begging the ship's company to deliver up the ship to their Officers, and trust to his Majesty's clemency? A. I do not recollect your begging them, but you asked them if they were willing.
Q. When the white colors were hoisted, did you hear me say it was the happiest moment I had felt for a long time? A. There might be such words pass, I do not recollect exactly, there was too much noise.
Q. You mean to qualify it, that it might be said, but nevertheless, you did not hear it? A. I do not recollect it, the noise and confusion prevented it.
Q. When the fore-top sail was loosed, did I not, in the most respectful manner, come on the quarter [Page 27] deck to you, and point out to you that the crews of the Inflexible, and two more line of battle ships astern, would, I was afraid, from their violent tempers, get springs on their respective ships, so as to rake the Sandwich at every shot. A. Yes.
Q. Do you not remember that I did not dictate, but begged to be excused, except in that one instance, mentioning that it would be better if the Sandwich might not be got under weigh for her own safety, till she was less observed by the ships before mentioned? A. I have answered that question before: the Prisoners did say, that the ships astern would fire upon us.
Q. The Prisoner wishes to ask, if his manners were not respectful on that occasion? A. Yes, they were fully respectful, he made the request in a respectful manner, and offered that advice.
WILLIAM LEVINGSTON, Boatswain of the DIRECTOR, sworn.
Q. Did you hear the charge, and do you know the Prisoner? A. Yes, I heard the charge and I know the Prisoner.
Q. Did the Prisoner belong to the Sandwich? A. I only know that he came from her, and they hailed him and we answered: I never saw the books, I suppose he did.
Q. Do you remember seeing the Prisoner go on board the Director the day the Repulse got aground, in attempting to get into Sheerness harbour? A. I do.
Q. Relate to the Court his proceedings, from his going on board to the time of his departure? A. When the Prisoner came on board, he came aft on the quarter deck, and requested a boat to go with a flag of truce on board the Repulse, then he ordered all hands to be called, the boat was denied: he then wanted to slip the ship's cable, to go along side of the Repulse, that was denied. He upon this ordered a spring to be got on the cable, to bring her broadside to bear upon the Repulse; when the spring was on, he ordered it to be hove in, and to bear away the best bower: as the ship came round, he ordered them to point their guns [Page 28] at the Repulse, there was a gun fired from the Repulse to the best of my recollection, from the quarter-deck: then the Prisoner gave orders to fire at the Repulse from all the decks, as she had fired at us, which order was repeated by one of the Delegates of our ship, and was complied with. The Prisoner went to the gang way, and I did not see any more of him. The Repulse was than on shore.
Q. How long did the Director keep a heavy fire on the Repulse? A. To the best of my knowledge, for the space of half an hour, they fired two or three guns at a time from each deck, of the larboard side.
Q. Did you see any other ship with a spring on her cable at the same time, firing at the Repulse? A. I saw the Monmouth firing at the same time, but I could not discern the spring.
Q. Riding, as the ships were, at that time, could the broad side of any ship be brought to bear, in your opinion, without a spring? A. From the situation in which the ships lay, they could not be brought to bear without a spring.
Q. Who had the command of the Director at the time the Prisoner came on board? A. Joseph Mitchell, captain of the forecastle.
Q. Was it [...] that the Prisoner applied to slip the cables, or [...] the advice of the ship's company? A. He was called for, but I did not see him at that time.
Q. During the time the Prisoner was on board, did [...]e ever touch or point a gun. A. No. I never saw him touch a gun. I saw no body but the Prisoner come along the gang-way, on the starboard side.
Q. Do you mean that was the first time you saw him? A. When I saw him on the gang-way alone, it was the first time for that day, but I had seen him before.
Q. Did he give orders to fire aloud? A. Not very [...].
Q. I do not mean with a speaking trumpet, but did he give orders, as an officer, in his duty would do? A. He spoke louder than I do now—FIRE, which was repeated.
Q. Did he give orders loud enough to be heard from [Page 29] the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and order them to fire?—A. Yes, he give orders loud enough to be heard at the larboard gang-way, and the Delegates repeated the order from the larboard gang-way.
Q. Who ordered them to cease firing? A. I do not know, I was then on the poop, I did not see the Prisoner.
Q. Did the Prisoner remain on board the Director, till the fire ceased? A. I do not know.
Q. Who appointed Joseph Mitchell, the boatswain, to the command of the ship? The Committee of the Delegates belonging to the Director.
Q. Had the Prisoner any command on board before that time? A. Yes.
Q. In the situation in which the Repulse lay aground, could she have brought any of her guns to bear on the Director?—A. To the best of my knowledge she could not, except her stern chases.
Q. From what part of the Repulse was the gun fired? A. From the larboard-side of the quarter-deck.
Q. You say they fired a gun from the larboard-side, what was the position of the Repulse? A. I could see nothing but her stern chases.
Q. What was the position of the Repulse, with respect to the Director? A. To the best of my knowledge, her bow was a little to the Southward.
Q. Did you see either side? A. I saw the larboard side, she was almost [...]d on.
Q. Did the Prisoner order the guns of the Director to be pointed at the Repulse, before the gun was fired from that ship, or after? A. Before the gun was fired.
Q. Whom did the Prisoner ask for the boat, and who denied it? A. Joseph Mitchell was called aft, but I did not see him.
Q. How did you know the boat was denied him? A. By a general voice on the quarter deck; a cry of "No." In the same manner the request for slipping her cables was refused.
Q. Was the order for slipping the cables, refused by a general voice of the people? A. Yes, the answer was "No."
[Page 30] Q. Where were you, and how near to the Prisoner, when he ordered the guns to be fired? A. I was then standing on the arm-chest, on the starboard side of the poop. The Prisoner was then upon the quarter deck, nigh about the place of the foremast binnacle.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Where was you at the time the boat was refused me? A. I was on the fore-part of the poop.
Q. Had there been a gun fired at that time from the Director? A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Do you recollect my addressing the ship's company of the Director, pointing out to them, what a dreadful thing it was for one brother to be firing on another, and that if they would allow me the boat, I would take a flag of truce in it, and repair to the Repulse, which I did not doubt would stop the effusion of blood: What might happen to himself, I should not consider of any consequence, even if I lost my own life, to save so many men? A, Yes, I do recollect, that when you asked for a flag of truce to repair to the Repulse, I heard you repeat those words, to save innocent blood from being spilt, (to the best of my recollection) and what might happen to himself, he should not consider of any consequence, even if he lost his life. I remember that, but I do not recollect I heard him say, that he would take a flag of truce and repair to the Repulse.
Q. It appears that the firing commenced before he made his application: in the first part of his evidence he says, the Prisoner had asked for a boat, and after that, he gave orders for firing, upon the boat being refused. The Prisoner puts his question to the evidence, as if he was to go before the firing.
Q. Was it before the Prisoner gave orders to fire, or after, that this conversation took place? A. Before he gave orders to fire.
Q. Was there any preparation for getting a spring on the cable, before I got on board the Director? A. There was none to my knowledge.
Q. Is it possible there could be a preparation [Page 31] for a spring, without your knowledge? A. Yes, there might, I being on the poop at the time.
SAMUEL HILLIARD, Carpenter of the [...], sworn.
Q. What are you Mr. Hilliard? A. A carpenter on board the Director.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. Yes, I have seen him on board the Director.
Q. Did he belong to the Sandwich? A. Yes.
Q. Do you remember seeing the Prisoner on board the Sandwich? A. Yes.
Q. Did you see him on board the Director on the day the Repulse attempted to go into Sheerness harbour? A. Yes, I did.
Q. Relate to the Court his proceedings from the time he came on board, till his departure? A. I heard the Prisoner ask for a flag of truce to go a long-side of the Repulse, to save blood from being spilled, it was denied him.
Q. Who denied him? A. It was denied him by a general voice of the ship's company, and then the Prisoner wanted the ship to go along-side of the Repulse.
Q. Where was the Repulse? A. On ground, ashore, that was refused also, by a general voice of the ship's company on the quarter-deck.
Q. Had the Repulse fired a gun at that time? A. None, at that time. The ship's broadside was then brought to bear by a spring on the best bower cable, and then they began to fire.
Q. Who began to fire? A. The ship's company: we fired before the Repulse fired. The Prisoner was on the quarter-deck at that time, the Repulse had not fired. The Repulse then fired a shot from a gun on the larboard quarter; the Prisoner then said, they had returned the fire.
Q. Who gave the orders to fire first? A. I cannot say, the Prisoner ordered them to level their guns, and then they continued firing from all their decks: I did not see the Prisoner, [...] I heard him say the words.
Q. What is meant by their returning the fire? Is [Page 32] it the Director or the Repulse that is meant? A. The Repulse.
Q. How long did the Director keep a heavy fire on the Repulse? A. I cannot positively answer that question.
Q. You are not called upon to answer the time exactly, how many minutes do you suppose? A. About three quarters of an hour, to the best of my remembrance, from the beginning to the end.
Q. Did you see any other ship with a spring on her cable, firing at the Repulse? A. The spring was not on her cable, the anchor was carried out, I believe it was the Monmouth, but I think there was no spring on her cable.
Court. Q. You mean an anchor and hawser? A. Yes, that is my meaning.
Q. Riding as the ships were, at flood-tide, could the broadside of any ship be brought to bear, in your opinion, without a spring? A. According to my knowledge, they could not.
Q. Who had the command of the Director when the Prisoner came on board? A. Joseph Mitchell.
Q. What was he? A. Captain of the forecastle.
Q. Did the Prisoner apply to him to slip the cable? A. I cannot say.
Q. During the time you was on board, did you see him point or fire a gun? A. No I did not.
Q. Did you see the Prisoner [...] board? A. No.
Q. Who appointed Mitchell to be the commander? A. I cannot tell
Q. While the Prisoner was on board, did he order any body to fire? A. He ordered them to level the guns.
Q. Do you think, in the position the Repulse lay on the ground, she could have pointed any guns at the Director? A. None, except the stern chases.
Q. For what purpose did the Prisoner wish to carry the Director along side of the Repulse? A. I cannot say.
Q. Was there any inclination appearing among the ship's company for firing on the Repulse, before the [Page 33] Prisoner came on board the Director? A. There were several guns cast loose, what their intentions wer [...], I cannot say, I did not hear.
Q. Did it appear to you, that the people of the Director fired at the Repulse, in consequence of the Prisoner's order? A. I really cannot tell.
Q. You have said he gave orders to fire? A. He did give orders to level the guns.
Q. Did you hear the Prisoner order a spring on the best bower cable? A. I did not.
Q. Was there any spring on the cable before the Prisoner came on board? A. Not to my knowledge, I cannot say whether there was or no, I was going all over the ship.
Q. In that case, was it possible that a preparation for a spring being made on the best bower cable, could be attempted without your knowledge, you having permission to visit all parts of the ship? A. I saw the hawser got up, before I saw the Prisoner come on board.
Q. Was the Repulse on shore, or under weigh, before the hawser was got up—it might render it necessary for a hawser to be put on the cable of the Director, to stop her progress? A. She was not moving, to the best of my knowledge.
Q. Did you distinctly hear the Prisoner speak loud to level the guns, or to fire? A. I did.
Q. Did he appear to be acting from his own mind, or was he taking instruction from any of the people on board the Director? A. He appeared to act from his own mind.
Prisoner PARKER'S Question.
Q Do you recollect whether all the guns on the larboard side of the quarter deck were cast loose, before I came on board? A. I cannot say whether they were all cast loose or no, I could not see into the cabin, I know some were.
THOMAS BARRY, a seaman of the MONMOUTH, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. Yes, very well By sight I have seen him twice in my life.
[Page 34] Q. Did you see the Prisoner on board the Monmouth, at the time the Repulse was attempting to escape into Sheerness harbour? A. Yes.
Q. Relate to the court such particulars as you saw relative to his conduct at that time on board the Monmouth? A. I did not see him when he came on board, I saw him first on the forecastle; when he came there, he took all the command of the Monmouth's forecastle guns, the one gun which I attended, was fired six or seven times at the Repulse. When the gun was going to be loaded the seventh time, I told him not to put the cartridge in at that time, and I got a worm and wormed the gun out, then he immediately after that ordered the gun to be spunged, and loaded; after she was loaded, he was not content with a nine pound shot that was in her, but took a crow-bar and put the thick end in first: I immediately took it out of his hand, and he gave me a shove on the breast, which caused me to fall over the heel of the spare fore top-mast, after that, I was kept chock forward on the forecastle, by one Vance, a quarter master, who acted as captain of the ship; after being there an hour and an half, I was ordered to go down and stay in my birth. I did not stay down in my birth, but came on deck: when I came on deck, the Prisoner was standing on the heel of the spare top-mast, he ordered Vance to get our stream cable and bend it to our stream anchor. Vance made him answer, that he could not do that. Then the Prisoner said d—n it, slip your cable and go along side of the Repulse, and send her to hell, where she belongs to and shew them no quarters at all. After that, [...] said to Vance, he could stay no longer on board the Monmouth, he would likewise go on board another ship, of the fleet, the Leopard, and send her to hell also, after the Repulse.
Q. Were the guns in general on the larboard side of the Monmouth, fired on the Repulse? A. Yes, they were continually kept firing.
Q. Had the Monmouth, previous to your firing at the Repulse, laid out a small anchor and hawser, or a spring on her cable? A. Yes, we got a small hawser out abaft, and took it to the best bower buoy.
[Page 35] Q. Was the jib and fore top-mast stay-sail hoisted, to ease the hawser, and to hasten bringing the Monmouth's broadside to bear on the Repulse? A. Yes, They were,
Q. Do you know by whose order the hawser was carried out, and the jib and stay-sail hoisted? A. Yes, by Vance, the quarter master, who commanded.
Q. Did you see any other marks of activity in the Prisoner while he remained on board? A. No, none at all. I know of nothing else.
Q. During the time the Monmouth kept up a fire on the Repulse, did you see him point, or fire any gun? A. Yes, I did, the aftermost gun, on the forecastle, on the starboard side.
Q How long did the firing continue? A. About twenty-five minutes.
Q. How near was you to the Prisoner, when he was standing on the heel of the spare-top-mast, and had the conversation with Vance? A. I was standing at the bits, just before the foremast.
Q. Which gun was you at on the forecastle? A. The aftermost gun, on the larboard-side.
Q. Do you know, whether there were any guns fired from the Monmouth before the Prisoner came on board of her? A. I did not see the Prisoner come on board, there were guns fired before I saw him on the forecastle.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Had you assisted in firing any guns, before you first saw me on board? A. No.
Q Had there been any guns fired from any other part of the ship, before the forecastle guns were fired? A. Yes, the quarter deck guns were fired.
Q. You have been talking a great deal about Hell, I wish to know whether you have been promised any thing for advancing this hellish account? A. No, Sir, I never was promised any thing.
I will bring witnesses to disprove what this man has said.
That must come in its order, the court would wish to hear the same matter.
JOHN SUMMERLAND, Boatswain's Mate of the MONMOUTH, sworn.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A. Yes.
Q. Which is him? A. That gentleman who stands there, (pointing to the Prisoner.)
Q. Did you see the Prisoner on board the Monmouth at the time the Repulse got a ground in endeavouring to escape into Sheerness harbour? A. I did.
Q Relate such particulars of his conduct as you saw, or any acts of violence against the Repulse? A. I saw a great many people assembled on the forecastle, I went up to see what was the ma [...]ter, I saw the Prisoner standing abaft the foremost on some thing, above the deck, he was going to make a speech. Captain Vance, who was acting as Captain then, of our ship, wanted to speak first, the Prisoner would not allow it, he would insist on the ship's slipping her cable, there were no other cables bent at the time: the ship's company would not agree to it; he said, he would go on board one of the outside ships, and make her slip her cable, and go along side of the Leopard, and send her to Hell, where she ought to go. During the time of this speech, the Repulse got off the ground: the Prisoner dismounted himself from the place where he was on, shook his fist, swore, and said, d—n me, she is off. He directly called the boat's crew from on board the Sandwich, in which boat he went himself. That is all I have to say.
Q. While the Monmouth was firing at the Repulse, did you see the Prisoner active in pointing the guns, or otherwise directing them to be fired, or pointed? A. I did not.
Q. Was there a hawser carried out from the Monmouth, to bring her broadside to bear on the Repulse? A. There was one brought along side, by another ship's boat, that was made fast, and the ship brought to bear on the Repulse.
Q. What was the hawser made fast to? A. The hawser was made fast to the best bower-cable: having broke a small cord or tow-line, they veered away the [Page 37] best bower, and fastened it to the cable; then they brought her side to bear on the Repulse.
Q. Did the Prisoner give any directions with respect to carrying the tow-line out, or getting the spring upon the cable, afterwards? A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. During the time the Monmouth kept a heavy fire on the Repulse, did you see the Prisoner with his clothes off, to favor any exertions he was about? A. I did not.
Q. How long did the heavy fire from the Monmouth to the Repulse continue? A. I believe near two hours.
Q. You do not mean the heavy fire lasted two hours, but from the beginning to the ending.
Q. No, I mean the whole of the firing, the heavy fire was, I believe, about twenty-five minutes.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you recollect the time I first came on board that ship? A. I do not.
Q. Do you imagine that I was on board at the commencement of the Monmouth's opening her firing at the Repulse? A. I do not know, but there was a great many of the Sandwich's people on board.
Q. Did the Monmouth or the Director fire first? A. The Monmouth.
The Prosecutor told the Court, he had more witnesses concerning the same ma [...]er, which, if the gentlemen thought it was necessary, he should bring forward.
The Court were of opinion that no more was necessary.
The President then informed Richard Parker, the Prisoner, that the evidence for the Crown was closed, and that the Court would meet the next morning, to hear his defence.
The evidence will take up much time, and as I have no minutes, I am afraid many things might slip my memory. The Prisoner requested the [Page 38] Judge Advocate to favor him with some extracts from his minutes.
I cannot spare my minutes.
When will you be ready for your defence.
It will be impossible to get ready to-morrow.
Will you be ready on Monday morning?
I think I shall.
You certainly should remember, you are detaining a vast number of people; we wish to give you time, but you must consider how many Officers are detained, who are wanted for the service of their country.
I will take care that the witnesses shall appear, as I have their names.
Can you be ready to-morrow?
No, Sir, I cannot, indeed.
Then the Court will give you till Monday, nine o'clock.
On Saturday morning, June 24th, the Court met, and the Prisoner being called in, was informed, that extracts of the evidence could not be granted, but whatever he might be in want of, to enable him to prepare for his defence, he should have the Solicitor of the Admiralty delivered him a copy of his examination at Sheerness, which he had requested; and the Judge Advocate gave him paper, pens, and ink, and told him he should have what was necessary. Parker returned thanks to the Court for the favors shewn him.
THIRD DAY's TRIAL.
THE Court having met at 9 o'clock, and the Prisoner being brought in, the Judge Advocate informed him, that in consequence of his request, an [Page 39] express had been sent to Sheerness for William Hobbs, George Nicholes, and Samuel Beer, three of the men belonging to the Monmouth, as well as a person of the name or Hollister, who was one of the Delegates;—all these persons were on board, for the Prisoner to call if he should think proper.
You are now on your defence, which you will make in the best manner you can, and afterwards support it by evidence. You must read it loud.
PRISONER'S DEFENCE.
As I have been at sea from my youth, I therefore hope nothing will be expected from me but a narrative of plain facts. I cannot dress up my defence in the pompous language of a lawyer; could I have procured assistance, I might have been enabled to have expressed myself with more propriety.
In the first place, I have to return thanks to this Court for giving me the time they have, to defend myself against the very heavy charges brought against me. Nothing but the consciousness of the integrity of my intentions with respect to the mutiny, and the reflection that I did not enter into it until two days after it commenced, could have supported me against such heavy charges, sworn to by so many witnesses, and a firm conviction that I entered into it solely with the view of repressing the dangerous spirit I saw predominant in the fleet. The first witness called against me was Vice-Admiral Buckner, who says he often saw me, and he acknowledges my behavior to him was always respectful. I never waited on Admiral Buckner without the express orders of the Delegates; and when I did, studiously avoided sporting with his feelings, by improper behavior; on the contrary, I couched every message I had to deliver in the most respectful terms I was able. It may be asked how I came to be th [...] person pitched upon to deliver such messages, and act 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 [Page 40] was impossible for me, or any individual under similar circumstances, to have resisted such an appointment. I know nothing of the mutiny till it had broke out. As soon as I saw that fatal spirit of the mutiny which prevailed, I immediately thought it my duty, and I endeavored, 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, had I not acted 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 [...] could not wholly prevent, I can wait the decision of the Court with calmness and resignation. Admiral Buckner represents, that on or about the 20th of May, he was not received with that respect which was due to his rank. I was sorry that it should have been so, but that he cannot bring home 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 honors due to him; and I offered that the men should man the yards, if he would receive the cheers He acknowledges an attempt was made to man the yards, which afterwards subsided. It was so, an attempt was made by me to that effect, though at that time it was a thing dangerous to propose, and done at the risk of my life, for it was signified, if it was complied with, that the Inflexible and the other ships, would fire 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 respect intended to be shewn was defeated. Capt. Moss sent Mr. Bray on board the Inflexible, where he said he found the [...]ompions 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 Committee of the Delegates of the [Page 41] 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 the Inflexible. It was to prevent those consequences, I went on shore to Admiral Buckner, and when I was half passage to shore, I first observed the Admiral's flag down, and the red 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 act as I did. The circumstances were these: The people called Delegates, representing the ship's company were refreshing themselves with their usual allowance, which was a pint of beer to each man. In the mean time they were informed, that two marines were in custody, of the main-guard, for approving of the conduct of the seamen. The Delegates desired me to inquire if it was so. I did. The Officer said he had no such persons in custody. We were informed, that the two marines were at Commissioner Hartwell's house. We accordingly went and told him to release the men, and send them on board, where their conduct should be inquired 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 at Queenborough, but as we were sent by the Delegates, he had no objection to our examining them. One of them appeared in a state of intoxication. I [...] them, and Admiral Buckner said, Parker, you are asking very proper questions. The men were taken and sent to [...]ke fleet, and the next day [...] aboard [...] respective ships. It was requested by the Admiral they should be confined, and I [...] that was [...] with. I shall not observe further relative to my conduct on account of the mariners, but I beg leave to state this question to the Court, whether four men, unarmed, could have taken them away from a strong guard, and in the face of the [...], unless with the approbation of the Commissioner and Admiral. I repeat, that I never did behave with any, the [...], disrespect [Page 42] towards Admiral Buckner: I remember a conversation, wherein Admiral Buckner said, consuler what must have been my feelings at seeing my flag struck. I replied, I had nothing to do with striking your flag. I told him I could judge what his feelings must have been on such an occasion; that I had feelings of my own, and could easily participate in his, but that I could not prevent them, as I was but a single individual among many. Having done with Admiral Buckner's evidence, I think it but justice to acknowledge, that both Admiral Buckner, and Commissioner Hartwell, did every thing that lay in their power to satisfy the minds of the fleet. The next evidence was Lieutenant Justice, he says, he knows nothing of me. The third was Captain O'Bryen, who says, he knows nothing to the disadvantage of me. Captain Fancourt said, he never saw me before. Captain Cobb, deposed to the same effect; as did Captain Parr, and Captain Hargood likewise.
Mr. John Snipe deposes, that on the afternoon of the 14th of May, he was called on to attend the punishment of a man of the name of Cammell, and that I ordered him a dozen lashes. I do not attempt to deny that I did act as he has sworn. I was commanded to see the punishment inflicted, but Mr. Bray was consulted as to the propriety of inflicting such a punishment for the offence he had commited, which was for getting beastly drunk, at the same time asserting he had drank nothing but small beer. I recommended to the whole ship's crew to abstain from liquor until the whole of the business was settled, telling them, if they did not, that the punishment which their justice had inflicted on that man, should be inflicted on any one offending. As to the sick man in irons, it was a man confined for disrespect to Captain Moss; the answer given by me, on that occasion, to Mr. Snipe, sufficiently shews, that I did not mean to interfere with his professional concerns; and I hope it will have the effect of shewing to the Court, that I was alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures. Mr. Snipe has said, that he had leave to go on shore, on his promising to return again [Page 43] the next morning, but that he took care not to return, till the ship was under the command of its officers. I shall make no comment on this part of his evidence, but I shall only ask, whether it was praise worthy on his part, at a time when the seamen were laboring under incurable disorders, for a surgeon to leave the ship, merely because his situation was not so comfortable as he could have wished.
I next come to the evidence of Capt. Surridge, of the Iris; he says, that he has seen me once at the Commissioner's house, and that he afterwards saw me come up to the Commissioners, where he recollects my delivering to him the articles containing the final determination of the North Sea squadron. I do declare, that I had no conversation with the Commissioners, but left it entirely to them to satisfy themselves, that the articles I had presented, really did contain the demands of that fleet. Capt. Surridge has declared, that he saw no disrespect on my part towards him, therefore I shall not dwell further on his evidence, but answer it in the general conclusion.
The next evidence is Capt. Dixon, of the L'Espion, but as any observations in his evidence are answered by what I have observed with respect to Admiral Buckner, and Capt. Surridge, I shall decline commenting on it.
I now come to the evidence of Capt. John Wood, of the Hound, who has deposed, that I w [...]nt on board his ship, and advised him not to be so violent. I certainly did go on board, but I had no other motive than the personal safety of the Captain, and the preservation of the ship. He says he was ordered out of his ship, but he has never produced who ordered him out. In answer to this, I solemnly assert I did not know that he was ordered to leave his ship, the orders were not, certainly given by me, and though I have heard it in the Court, I never heard it in the ship. As to my having said I would make a beef-steak of the Pilot at the yard-arm, I solemnly declare I did not make use of such expressions. I do not recollect the Pilot's letting go the anchor. I declare to God I know nothing of it. If I was before the face of God, I would deny [Page 44] it. As to the yard ropes, they were reeved before I was on board. It is very possible Capt. Wood might be mistaken, as to my being the person who gave the order.
Lieutenant Flatt deposes he does not know me. As I shall have occasion to ask Lieutenant Flatt some more questions, I shall not make any further observations on his evidence, till he has been examined again.
Mr. Levingston, boatswain of the Director, deposes, that he saw me on board the Director, at the time the Repulse was on shore, that I asked him for a boat, observing, that it might be the means of saving many lives. He recollects my giving the word fire. After which, Mr. Samuel Hilliard deposes, that he saw me on board the Director, that he heard me address the ship's company, and that soon after the guns were fired, but that he did not hear me order it. In the first place, in order to account for my being on board the Director—I only went on board to prevent the effusion of human blood. When the demands of the North Sea Fleet were known, a boat went round to the whole fleet, with a band of music, playing, God save the King, Rule Britannia, and Britons Strike Home; for which, were the ship journals produced, they would prove it was the command of the whole ship's company. I was desired to be on that duty. Matthew Hollister informed me on board the Sandwich, that the Repulse was getting under way, and that the Director was getting a spring on her cable. I was then commanded on board the Director. I saw the guns on the quarter deck cast loose. I pointed out the impropriety and cruelty of one brother fighting against another; and I begged for a flag of truce, which was refused. I then founded their dispositions, by proposing to go along side the Repulse; this I did, in order to see how far they would proceed; and I was happy to find they did not approve of so doing. My reason for asking for a flag of truce was, I thought if I could obtain permission to take it, none of the other ships would fire on the Repulse, out of respect to the flag of truce they had granted, but finding myself opposed, I was obliged to act a part I abominated, and which, [Page 45] to my grief, I saw before I came on board. I do not recollect giving orders to fire; but if I did, they must have been the orders of compulsion, and not choice.
Thomas Barry, seaman, deposed, I was on board the Monmouth; he must have been greatly mistaken in what he has related, but I will prove I was not at that time on board the Monmouth, that I was then on board the Director, and that he must have confused me with some other person. He deposed that I said FIRE, and that after the firing the sixth or seventh gun from the forecastle, that on the gun being loaded the seventh time, I was not content with a nine pound shot, but that I put a crowbar into the mouth of the gun. He relates some one being confined by a man called Capt. Vance. He also swore that when the Repulse got off, I shook my fist, and said, "D—n me, she's off, and that I swore I would take one of the outside ships, and send her to Hell, where she belonged to:" and on my asking him what had been promised to him for telling this hellish story, he answered, "nothing had been promised him." I do declare that I went on board the Sandwich in the Ardent's boat, and not in the manner described by Barry.
John Summerland does not recollect my working with my clothes off, but he says. I was on board the Monmouth. In fact, I was more in want of rest, than anxious to look after Don Quixotte adventures. I did go on board the Monmouth it is certain, but with the same views I had in going on board the Director. As to my having said I would take an outside ship and repair to the Leopard, I could have no other motive for so doing, than to make her keep her station. Some days previous to the Sandwich being delivered up, the Montague made a signal for a Delegate, I thought they were by no means amicable, with respect to their dispositions in general, and therefore, the signal was not complied with.
I have now made all the remarks which occur to me on the evidence. I now address myself again to the Court, not for the purpose of intimating, that where mercy can be extended, it ought to be shewn, being [Page 46] assured that I shall have strict justice; but I appeal to them to attend particularly to the evidence of Barry. However I may have been misrepresented in the public prints, my intentions were good. My character is dearer to me than a thousand lives. My country allows me justice, and justice I trust I shall have from this honorable Court.
LORD NORTHESK, Captain of the MONMOUTH sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. My Lord, do you recollect whether you was on board the Monmouth, at the time she was firing on the Repulse? A. I was on shore. I was not on board at that time.
Q. Has your Lordship been at any time on board of the Sandwich? A. I was on board the Sandwich on the 6th of June.
Q. Did it impress your Lordship, from the reception yon met with, that the people, notwithstanding the existing differences, were perfectly loyal to their Sovereign and country? A. The seamen in the cabin said, they were very loyal.
Q. Does your Lordship recollect a mark of loyalty, namely, immediately as your Lordship entered the cabin door, the band striking up "God save the King." A. I remember the Prisoner ordering the band, as I came into the cabin, to play, "God save the King."
I have no further questions to ask.
Q. Have you heard the charge read? A. Yes.
Q. In what austensible situation did the Prisoner appear to be when your Lordship entered the cabin? A. He appeared to me as President of the people then calling themselves Delegates.
Q. Was he the chief spokesman during your Lordship's conference with them? A. Yes, he was.
Did you receive—
I thought the evidence for the crown had been done with.
If a Prosecutor offers evidence, the Prisoner has a right to cross examine him; if the Prisoner [Page 47] produces evidence, the Prosecutor has the same right.
Q. Did you receive the letter now produced from the Prisoner? A. I did.
Q. Did the Prisoner direct you to proceed to London, with the letter now before you? A. He did.
You are hereby required and directed to proceed to London with such papers as are entrusted to your care, and to lay the same before our gracious Sovereign King George the Third, and to represent to our Gracious Sovereign that the seamen at the Nore have been grossly misrepresented to his Majesty; at the same time, if our Gracious Sovereign does not order us to be redressed in fifty-four hours after eight o'clock, June 7, 1797, such steps will be taken as will astonish our dear countrymen. And your Lordship is requested to send an answer in the specified time, by your Purser, who is allowed to attend your Lordship.
My Lord, I am further to acquaint your Lordship, that an oath has been taken by the Delegates of the Fleet, that they never had any communication with Jacobins and Traitors.
Q. Did your Lordship receive that letter from the Prisoner; did the Prisoner acknowledge it to be his letter? A. The letter was delivered to me by the Prisoner.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Was your Lordship present at the writing the before mentioned letter? A. I was present at the [Page 48] writing the last paragraph, beginning with the words, "My Lord," and ending with the words, "Richard Parker, President."
Who dictated the letter; was the latter part dictated by the Prisoner? A. He wrote it himself, without any dictating.
Q. Does not your Lordship recollect seeing a shew of hands from the Delegates assembled, ordering and insisting on the latter part of the letter being wrote? A. Do you mean the latter part of it? Yes, the later part of it. I remember it was their wish that it should be expressed that they were neither Jacobins nor Traitors, or words to that effect.
Was the latter part read to the Delegates after Parker wrote it? A. I do not recollect.
Q. Does your Lordship remember whether the Committee wished to have those words Jacobins and Traitors expressed before or after Parker had written the sequel to that letter? A. I do not recollect, but I believe it was before. The seamen in the cabin said they were very loyal.
Captain JOHN KNIGHT, of the MONTAGUE, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions. Q. Do you recollect being on board his Majesty's ship, the Sandwich, during the late existing mutiny, A. I do perfectly well, being on board more than once.
Q. Were you ever impressed with any marks of Loyalty shewn by the people assembled on board A. I have heard music play, God save the King, Britons strike Home, and I have heard expressions of Loyalty, that they venerated their Sovereign, and esteemed him; I think I have heard the Prisoner say so himself, and further, I have heard the Prisoner say, that if there were a certainty that the Enemies' fleet were at sea, they would take the fleet under their direction in search of them.
Did he say, he or we? A. He spoke in the plural number. He further said, That if the Dutch Fleet was still in the Texel, he would lead the Fleet in and attack them, to prove to the Nation that they were neither rebels nor traitors. Prisoner, I have no more questions to ask.
Q. Do you remember the flags hoisted on board the Sandwich the 29th May and the 4th June; A. I was not at the Nore the 29th May. On the 4th June I do remember seeing the Standard at the fore-top-gallant-mast, the Union at the mizen, and a red flag on board the Sandwich.
Q. The Mutiny flag you mean?
A. You may call it a Mutiny flag; it was a plain red flag at the main, and the union a the mizen.
Q. On Royal birth-days, is it not the practice to hoist the Standard at the main? A. Yes it is.
At the time the standard was hoisted on the fore-top-gallant mast head, and the red flag at the main, was it prior to your hearing the Prisoner make use of loyal expressions, or after? A. It was on or about the 8th, when I heard him make use of loyal expressions, the day I went with the Act of Parliament, on board the Sandwich.
(A Letter was here produced and shewn to Captain Knight.)
Q. Did you receive the Letter now produced from the Prisoner? A. I did not receive it from the Prisoner, it was brought to me by one of the Committee men of the Montague, it seems to be the same.
The Letter read in Court by the JUDGE ADVOCATE.
I am commanded to inform you, by the Delegates of the Fleet, now on board the Sandwich, that they feel your situation. You are hereby permitted to accompany Mrs. Knight on shore, and you are commanded to return to your ship in three days; after you have landed you are to represent that all the officers are hostages, and you are to consider yourself for three days on a patrol [...] of honor; and that if you should not return, the breach of confidence will be resented as necessary, by the Delegates of [...] fleet. You are further desired to inform the people on shore, that every Delegate has assured you, what he has no communication with any Jacobins or Traitors, which they have amply [Page 50] proved by having in their custody, two vessels bound to their ports, by order of the Delegates of the whole fleet. On board the Sandwich, June 14, 1797.
You may ask any question relative to this letter, Prisoner? A. I have none.
Q. Was the red flag flying on board the Sandwich when the Prisoner mentioned those expressions of loyalty? A. It was.
Q. Have you ever understood from the Prisoner or any other of those they called Delegates of the Fleet, what the red flag meant, whether a flag of defiance? A. I recollect on the 8th, when I was on board the Sandwich, asking the question what it was meant to represent, and was informed; but whether by the Prisoner or some other of his associates I know not, that they wished to establish it and to fight under it, for that the Dutch had stolen it from the English, and they wished to restore it: that was the reply made to me.
Q. During the time you was on board the Sandwich, did the Prisoner appear to direct the proceedings? A. I never heard him giving any directions. The Prisoner seemed to address me, but I do not know that he directed the proceedings. He reported to me when the boat was ready to take me.
Q. How do you reconcile the loyalty you have mentioned with the treatment you received, by the total annihilation of your authority, the breach of the laws of your country, and imprisonment of your officers! A. I conceive it does not apply to the Prisoner: I was robbed of my authority before I saw the Prisoner.
I perceive it does apply to the time, though you had no authority some time before? A. I did not apply to him to restore me my authority.
The question was repeated. A. It is irreconcileable certainly, but I only meant, that my authority was annihilated before I came on board and saw the Prisoner.
It is a very proper answer; it is irreconcileable as Capt. Knight has said.
I wish to ask Captain Moss a question.
The Judge Advocate informed him it was irregular, and the Prisoner waved his desire.
Mr. JACOB SWAINSON, Gunner, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions. Q. Have you heard the charges read? A. No.
Q. Do you recollect the day on which Admiral Buckner's flag was struck on board the Sandwich? A. I do not know the particular day.
Q. Do you Know any particular person or persons who were aiding and assisting in striking the flag? A. I do not.
Q. Do you recollect Captain Moss having said, on the quarter-deck, that as the Mutiny unfortunately had commenced, he thought it fortunate I happened to be on board of the Sandwich during that period to keep down the spirit of it, as I seemed perfectly moderate? A. I do not recollect Captain Moss saying any thing of this kind.
Q Do you ever recollect, during the Mutiny to have informed me that such conversation had taken place between Captain Moss and his Officers? A. I do not.
Q. Did you ever form an opinion of me pe [...]ally, that it would make me happy, if the fleet could be brought into a moderate way of thinking, and of delivering up the command of their ships to their Officers, and trusting to our gracious Sovereign for a redress of grievances? A. I have heard the Prisoner express a wish that it was settled, at the latter part of the mutiny.
Q. Was it at the latter part of the mutiny you only noticed me? A. At the latter part.
Q. Was the Prisoner particularly active when the Repulse was a ground, and what did the Prisoner say on getting her off? A. I did not hear him say any thing on her getting off; when the Prisoner came on board that evening, he ordered the boat to be hoisted out of the Sandwich, that he might go on board the Director, to get a spring on her cable, and if [Page 52] his father was on board that ship, (pointing to the Repulse) he would blow her to Hell, for that was where she belonged to.
Q. What do you recollect the Prisoner has said respecting the cause he was embarked in? A. I have heard the Prisoner say, he thought it was a good cause, and there was no doubt but they should gain their point.
Q. What point? A. A redress of their grievances as they complained. I understood it so.
Q. Do you recollect the Prisoner giving any directions or orders at any time, on board the Sandwich? I do not recollect his giving any orders, except the last that I have stated, I was very seldom on deck.
Q. Did you ever hear the Prisoner, or any other person, calling himself Delegate, say what they meant by hoisting the red flag? A. I do not recollect I ever did: I never asked them.
Q. Did you ever ask what it was? A. I never did.
Examined by PARKER.
Q. Do you ever recollect my saying to you, it was a great pity the Inflexible should have been in the fleet, that if it had not been for that ship, things would have been amicably settled long since? A. Yes, I do.
Q. Do you recollect on what day the Prisoner said that? A. I do not.
Q. Was it after the King's birth-day? I cannot lay whether it was before or after.
Q. I wish to know at what time of day the Repulse got on shore, and at what time did she get off? A. She got ashore about three o'clock in the afternoon, to the best of my recollection, and got off between five and six the same afternoon.
Q. Do you recollect what time Parker returned from the Monmouth to the Sandwich? A. I do not know; it was late, it was after dark.
Q. Was the Repulse on shore at the time the Prisoner ordered the Sandwich's boat to be hoisted? A. She had been on shore some time.
Q At what time that afternoon did the Monmouth cease firing? A. To the best of my recollection the [Page 53] Repulse was got off before the Monmouth ceased firing.
Q. Was it sufficiently day-light for you to see the Repulse come to her anchor in Sheerness harbour? A. She was in, to the best of my recollection, before dark.
Q. Can you recollect whether it was before or after the Repulse went into Sheerness harbour that the Prisoner said it was a great pity the Inflexible was in the fleet? A. I do not recollect whether it was before or after.
EDWARD ALLEN, of the SANDWICH, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you recollect the day on which the Mutiny broke out on board his Majesty's ship, the Sandwich? A. No, I do not.
Q. Was you on board that day? A. Yes.
Q. Did I take any active part in the proceedings of that day or the following? A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Do you recollect my frequently complaining to you and your messmates?
What you have asked can be of no service to you.
I mean to shew I considered that it was a pity things should be carried on in the violent manner they were. A. I do not recollect any such words in my presence.
I have nothing but conversation of that kind to ask.
You shall not be checked in any question.
Q. Did you ever form an opinion—
Unless you can disprove what has been sworn, any opinion can be of no use—however, you may go on.
Q. Did you ever form an opinion from the manner of my proceedings, that it would give me pleasure to see matters settled? A. No, not as I know of, I never saw any thing amiss of him.
Did you ever hear the Prisoner, or any body else calling himself a Delegate, say what they meant by hoisting the red flag? A. No.
[Page 54] Q. Do you know what the red flag was called on board ship—what was the meaning of it? A. No, I do not.
MATTHEW HOLLISTER, seaman, of the DIRECTOR, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you recollect at what time I left his Majesty's ship Director, the day the Repulse got on shore, attempting to get into Sheerness harbour? A. I can't speak to the hour or minute, but it was late in the evening.
The Prisoner said he had no other question to ask, as it might tend to criminate him. The witness was to be tried himself.
Q. Did you ever hear the Prisoner or any person say what the red flag meant? A. As I am bound before Almighty God, I do not know.
THOMAS BARRY, of the MONMOUTH, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. What time of the day was it that you stated to the Court respecting my firing the forecastle gun of his Majesty's ship Monmouth, at the Repulse on shore, attempting to get into Sheerness? A [...] about four o'clock in the afternoon.
Q. You stated to the Court, that you was Confined by order of a man, whom you called Captain Vance. At what time did that confinement commence, and how long did it continue? A. I dare say, an hour and a half. It began about a quarter after four, and ended about a quarter before six.
Q. You related my giving you a shove over the heel, of the spare fore-top-mast, at what time did that transaction take place? A. Close upon four o'clock.
Q. Do you not think that it is possible for you, in the hurry and confusion of things, on board the Monmouth, to have mistaken me for another person? A. No.
Q. At what time did the transaction of the crow-bar being introduced into a gun, with an intent to be [Page 55] fired, which you have represented to have taken place, happen? A. about ten minutes before four o'clock.
Q. Was the person who introduced the crow-bar, with part of his clothes off, or the whole of them on? A. His short or half coat was off; he had his waistcoat on.
Q. What time was it when the discourse you related took place between myself and the man you call Captain Vance? A. About half past four.
Q. Is it within your knowledge that any boat escaped from the Monmouth the evening of her firing on the Repulse? A. No, I cannot say, I do not know of any.
I never had any other dress at the time, but a coat and a waistcoat, I never had a half coat.
WILLIAM HOBBES, seaman of the MONMOUTH, sworn.
Take particular notice of me, and be certain that you know me.
Q. Do you know the Prisoner? A: I never saw him in my life, to my knowledge.
Q. When the Monmouth fired on the Repulse, in what part of the ship was you quartered? A. I was quartered on the forecastle, but I was mostly between decks.
GEORGE NICHOLS, seamen of the MONMOUTH, sworn.
Q. Do you know me? A. No, Sir, I do not.
Q. What part of the ship was you in, when the Monmouth fired on the Repulse? A. I was quartered on the forecastle, but never went up.
SAMUEL BEER, sworn.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Do you know me? A. No, I do not. To my knowledge, I never saw you.
Q. What part of the ship was you stationed in when the Monmouth fired at the Repulse? A. I was on the forecastle. I was at my quarters part of the time, the rest between decks.
At what gun on the forecastle? A. The 2d gun.
Q. How long did you remain on the forecastle after the Monmouth commenced her fire on the Repulse? A. About a quarter of an hour.
Q. During the time you was on the forecastle, did you observe any transaction of a crow bar being introduced into a gun? A. No I did not.
How long did the firing last? A. I believe about an hour.
Have you any more evidence? A. I wish to call back Hollister.
HOLLISTER, called in.
Prisoner PARKER'S Questions.
Q. Can you recollect any ways near the time of my quitting the Director, on the day before alluded to? A. It was some short time before the Repulse got afloat.
Q. Had not the Monmouth ceased firing? A. I believe she had.
Q. Which ship ceased firing first, the Director or the Monmouth? A. I cannot positively say which, I was below.
Q. Did the Director cease firing before the Repulse got off? A. I believe she did not.
Q. How long had you been below at the time the Director was firing, previous to the Repulse being afloat? A. My station being in the magazine, I went down below for the safety of the ship. I was backwards and forwards. I cannot tell.
Q. Was you in the magazine from the commencement of the firing? A. Not all the time.
Q. How long after the commencement of the firing was it that you went into the magazine? A. About a quarter of an hour.
Q. How long did you remain there? A. About twenty minutes.
Q. Where did you go afterwards? A. I went up between decks; there was a great deal of powder between decks, and the matches were carelessly carrying about. I went to prevent any accident.
Q. How long did you remain between decks? A. [Page 57] Backwards and forwards, about three quarters of an hour.
Q. Where did you go to, after the firing ceased? A. I went up on the main deck after the firing ceased.
Q. Had the firing left off when you went on the main deck? A. Yes.
Q. At what hour was it when the Prisoner left the Director? A. It was late in the evening.
Q. Was it before or after sun set? A. Somewhere near about sun set.
I have no more evidence.
You should consider the very heavy charges against you; the Court will give you time.
I wish to be informed whether the Court can wait till to-morrow; there are other things; I have not had an opportunity of stating several other matters; I could shew I was very forward in delivering up the Sandwich; I hope the Court will allow me the indulgence, and put the best construction they can upon it.
The President informed him it could not be granted.
The Prisoner withdrew.
The Court was then cleared, at half past one o'clock.
The Court having deliberated for two hours and a half, the Prisoner was called in; when the Judge Advocate read as follows:
‘At a Court Martial, held on board his Majesty's ship, Neptune, of 98 guns, lying in the River Thames, on Thursday, the 22d day of June, 1797, and continued by adjournment till the 26th of the same month.’
(The Names of the Members were recited.)
The Court, pursuant to an order of the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral, hearing date the 19th of June, 1797, directed to Sir Thomas Paisley, Vice-Admiral, have proceeded to try Richard Parker, (he being a person belonging to his Majesty's fleet) on a charge for having made, and endeavored to make, a dangerous mutiny and mutinous assemblies on board his Majesty's ship, the Sandwich, and divers other ships and vessels, under the command of Vice Admiral Buckner, at the Nore: and also on a charge of having behaved with contempt to the officers [Page 58] on duty, and having disobeyed his superior officers.
The Court having heard the witnesses on the part of the crown, in support of the charge, and what the prisoner has related in his defence, and the evidence in support of what he has alledged upon the same, the Court are unanimously of opinion, that the whole of the charge is fully proved, that the crimes are as unprecedented as they are wicked, and as ruinous to the navy as to the peace and prosperity of the country. The Court doth therefore adjudge him to suffer DEATH, and he is ordered to suffer death accordingly, at such time and place as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, or any three of them shall direct and appoint.
Parker the Prisoner, with a degree of fortitude and undismayed composure, which excited the astonishment and admiration of every one present, spoke as follows:
"I bow to your sentence with all due submission, being convinced I have acted from the dictates of a good conscience. God Almighty, who knows the hearts of all men, will, I hope, receive me. I hope that my death alone will atone to the Country; and that those brave men, who have acted with me will receive a general pardon; I am satisfied they will return to their duty with alacrity."
It is in the breast of the Court to order you for execution immediately, but we think it better to give you time to repent your crime.
I return you my thanks for the indulgence.
The Court adjourned at half past four.
The pressure of the crowd to hear the defence of Parker, was immense.
The OATH which the Witnesses took, was as follows: "I swear by God, and as I shall answer to Almighty God, at the great Day of Judgment; that the evidence I shall give, shall be the Truth, the Whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, so help me God!"
IT is remarkable, that Parker, after his sentence, was seized wi [...] a sort of literary mania. He requested to be supplied with the Bible, Dodd on Death, Sh [...]lock on Death, and Tillotson's Sermon's, amounting only to about sixteen volumes!
EXECUTION OF PARKER, The MUTINEER.
FRIDAY morning, (June 30th, 1797) at 8 o'clock, A. M. [...] gun was fired from on board his Majesty's ship L'Espion, lying off the garrison; Vice Admiral Lutwidge's flag ship, and the yellow flags: the signal of capital punishment, was hoisted, which was immediately repeated by the Sandwich's hoisting the same color on her foretop. The Sandwich was stationed rather above Black Stakes the headmost ship in the fleet. The garrison, on the gun firing, were immediately under arms, consisting of the East and West York, and West Norfolk militia; a corps of Invalids, and a train of Artillery; all of which, with fixed bayonets, marched out to Sally Port Gate, with their colors flying, and proceeded in single files, along the South shore of the Medway, near to Queenborough, in order to be spectators of the event—all the barrier gates of the garrison were now shut, and each ship in the fleet at this time, sent a boat off with a Lieutenant and a party of marines, to attend the Sandwich; and the crews of all were piped to the forecastle, and the marines drawn up on the quarter deck, to be witnesses of the execution. The prisoner, who had taken his usual repast in the birth allotted him in the gun room, and passed the night in great composure, was awaked a little after six o'clock, from a sound sleep, by the Marshal Provost, who with a file of marines composed his guard. He arose with cheerfulness, and requested permission might be asked for a barber to attend him, which was granted, he soon dressed himself in a neat suit of mourning (waistcoat excepted) sent him by a friend of the name of T [...]mpla [...], wearing his half boots over a pair of black silk flocking: he then took his breakfast talked of a Will he had written, in which he had bequeathed to his wife a little estate he said he was heir to; and after that lamented the misfortune that had been brought on the country by the mutiny, but solemnly denied having the least connection, o [...] correspondence with any disaffected persons on shore, and declared that it was chiefly owing to him that the ships had not been carried into the enemy's ports!
[Page 60] At half past eight, he was told the Chaplain of the ship was ready to attend him to prayers upon the quarter deck, which he immediately ascended uncovered. At his first entrance on the deck, he looked a little paler than common, but soon recovered [...] complexion; he bowed to the officers, and a chair being allowed him he sat down a few moments, and steadily surveyed [...] of marines under arms, round the deck; he then arose and told the clergyman he was ready to attend him; the chaplain informed him he had selected [...] Psalms appropiate to his situation to which the Prisoner [...] [...], said; 'And with your permission, Sir, I will add a third,' and named the 51st that beautiful confessional of David, and imploring of forgiveness, "Have mercy upon me O God, after thy great goodness according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences, &c. He then [...]ecited each alt [...] nate verse in a manner peculiarly impressive. At 9 o'clock [...] preparatory gun was fired from L'Espion, which he [...]ard with [...] the smallest emotion.—Prayers being soon after closed, he rose [...] asked Captain Moss [...] if he might be indulged with a glass of [...] wine? which being immediately granted, he took it, and lifting up his eyes exclaimed—"I [...]ink first to the salvation of my soul:—and next to [...]e forgiveness of all my enemies!"—Addressing himself to Captain Moss, he said "he hoped the would shake hand [...] with him,"—which the Captain did; he then desired "that he might be remembered to his companion [...] on board the Neptune; with his last dying entreaty to them, to prepare for their destiny, and refrain from unbecoming levity!"—
The instant he was visible at the yard-arm, the Telegraph was put in m [...]ion to announce it to the Admiralty; and from the clearness of the atmosphere and quickness of working, the advice must have been received in seven minutes.
He suffered exactly at half past nine, and was lowered down [...] ter hanging at the yard-arm a full hour, when the yellow-flag was struck, and his body instantly put into a shell that had been prepared for it, with all his clothes on; and soon after it was taken in one of the Sandwich's boats, and rowed to the [...] point of the garrison, and there being landed, was carried to the new [...]val [...] ing-ground, out of the Red Barrier gate, leading to Minster. [...]e [...] lid was here taken off to the spectators for a few minute [...]; his countenance a [...]pea [...]d no [...] much altered, but his eyes were wide open. His body was, however, afterwards taken up by his friends, and brought to London. It was on Sunday lying at a house in [...], near the Tower.
Parker was about 33 years of age, five feet ten inches high, and well made, his complexion, eyes, and hair, dark; his nose prominent and his countenance expressive and manly. He was the [...] a bake [...] at Exeter, and had spent most of his life at sea.