answer was, that he considered the sentence of the mutineers as founded upon solid justice and imperious necessity; and consequently he could not think of retracting the sanction which he had given to the judgment of the court-martial, by whom they had been convicted. Upon this determination being made known to the crew of the St George, the strongest symptoms of disaffection were manifested by them. Their conduct was not unobserved by Captain Peard, who took the precaution to watch their proceedings with the utmost strictness; one of the seamen, who was well acquainted with their designs, informed him that they had entered into a resolution of seizing the ship, deposing the officers, and liberating the condemned culprits. The evening previous to the day appointed for carrying into effect the sentence of the court-martial, was the time fixed upon to put their plan into force. Captain Peard seeing the crew assemble on the main-deck, immediately approached, and addressed them to the following effect:– “I am perfectly aware of your intentions, and shall oppose them at the risk of my life. You have determined to resist the authority of your officers; I am resolved to do my duty, and to enforce strict obedience to my orders. I am sensible that the greater part of you are the victims of delusion; I know the ringleaders, and do not hesitate to declare my intentions of bringing them to justice. I command you to disperse, and to return to your duty.”
Finding this address did not produce the desired effect. Captain Peard, accompanied by Lieutenant Hatley, rushed in among the crowd, resolutely seized two of the people, whom he knew to be the promoters of the conspiracy, dragged them out by main force, and put them in irons, without experiencing any opposition from the remainder of the crew. The resolution and determined courage displayed by Captain Peard on this occasion, had such an effect upon them, that order was immediately restored, and they returned peaceably to their duty. The next morning the three mutineers were hanged at the yard-arm; and a few days after, the two ring-leaders of the St. George were tried by a court-martial, condemned to suffer death, and executed accordingly.
