tions by the Court, witness said he was not aware of any disrespect on the part of the prisoner towards Commander Belcher, or of any neglect of duty on his part. On one occasion, witness experienced some difficulty in being relieved from a watch, when the first lieutenant interfered, and reprimanded the prisoner. The prisoner’s warrant was withdrawn, because he appeared on deck in a straw hat. He never heard the prisoner answer Commander Belcher disrespectfully, nor did he know of any act of insubordination on his part. He knew that prisoner could not get relieved sometimes until three quarters of an hour after the time. The prisoner never wore the hat, to his recollection, after the warrant had been taken from him.
“Mr. Robertson, mate of the AEtna, was then called. He superseded prisoner in command of the second barge; he was not aware why; he never observed any disrespect or insubordination on the part of the prisoner, nor was he aware of any neglect of duty on the part of Mr. Backhouse. Witness had often seen nearly every officer of the ship walk on the quarter-deck without shoes or stockings on, both at forenoon, afternoon, and all hours of the day. He had seen officers without shoes or stockings on, while under way, when he believed the duty of the ship was carried on by Commander Belcher. For want of men, he had seen the mate of the deck assisting in cleaning her. The prisoner was on the sick list for a month, from a severe cut in the finger, in consequence of being obliged to clean fish for the mess, as they could not make their servant, who was a Krooman, do it. The midshipmen took it by turns to clean the knives and dishes.
“Mr. Francis Logan, surgeon of the AEtna, was next called. The prisoner was on the sick list on the 28th or 29th May; he heard by report only that the prisoner had endeavoured to leave the ship; and the impression left on his mind was, from the conversation he had heard, without leave. Witness was not aware of any neglect of duty on the part of the prisoner, or of any disrespectful conduct towards Commander Belcher. On being examined by the prisoner, witness said he remembered prisoner being confined for three days and three nights under a tarpaulin screen, where neither light nor air was admitted, and no officer of the ship allowed to speak to him – the only air that could be got being under the edges of the screen, which was fastened close to the bulkhead. He understood from Mr. Quin, the first lieutenant, he was so confined by the order of Commander Belcher. The prisoner, he believed, was relieved at witness’s suggestion.
“Lieut. Thomas Mitchell, (who had joined the AEtna as first lieutenant since her arrival at this port), stated, that he was on deck when the prisoner asked Commander Belcher it his discharge had come down. Before Commander Belcher came up the side, the prisoner crossed over to speak to him, scarcely giving him time to put both feet on deck, with his face almost touching the commander’s, and said – ‘Is my discharge