Continuation of Sam Jackson, — Effort to obtain a midshipman's warrant on board the U. S. frigate Constitution, — Bound apprentice to a shipwright,— Remarks on my apprenticeship, — Ruinous effects of grogdrinking, — Lives lost, Rescue five Swedes from drowning, — Gloomy times, — War between the U. S. and England, — Unprepared condition of the U. S., — Capt. Allen's story, — Arrive at the age of twenty-one years, — Certificate of good behavior from my master, — Go to New York, — Employment on the steamfrigate, — Her description, — Remarks on Robert Fulton, — Speech of Ogden Hoffman, — Enter the navy, — Torpedo boat, — Experiments,— Necessity of a strict watch, — Fortifying the coast, — Orders to join the gunboats, — Remarks and occurrences, — Flying squadron.
Would the Commodore have been justified in pardoning Jackson? Humanity may answer yes, but stern Justice says no. It is well known by all who are acquainted with the usages of a man-of-war, and the nature of many who compose their crews, that were it not for this dreadful penalty, as I have just observed, officers would be frequently struck, particularly by boats' crews, while on shore, where they have an opportunity of getting intoxicating drink. The author has seen a case where, had it not been for the presence of mind and immediate interference of the boatmates, the midshipman of the boat would have been struck by a fine seaman when drunk, the penalty for which by the law would have been death.
The author has known an officer to be pushed down while endeavoring to prevent the men from leaving the boat, while on shore. This, by the law, would also be considered as belonging to the death penalty. The officer being kind-hearted, and the boat's crew begging him to overlook it, he did so, otherwise the offender would have been tried bv a court-martial, and would have suffered the punishment awarded him. Suppose Jackson had been pardoned, what, in all probability, would have been the effect upon the other seamen in the navy? The trial and preparation for execution would have been looked upon as a farce, and many an old " Salt ' would have rolled over his quid, hitched up his trousers, and with an arch look, quaintly remarked: " No more hanging now boys." The equanimity of discipline in the navy would be at an end.
Intoxicated seamen sometimes are very abusive to their officers, and are put in double irons and not un frequently gagged with an iron bolt, are placed under charge of a sentinel, and when the commanding officer sees fit, the offender is flogged at the gangway, and sometimes these offences are brought before a court-martial, but the penalty is not death. I knew Commodore Conner when a midshipman, have sailed with, and always thought him an exemplary man. and no doubt there was a severe struggle in his mind between dutv and inclination. His heart vearned over the unfortunate man as deeply as any other, and more so, no doubt, from the fact that the prerogative of life or death was with him.
But duty predominated over feeling, and the man was executed. As we have gone through with the throbbing emotion of the unfortunate Jackson, his anxiety for the salvation of his soul, the kindness and sympathy of all around during the solomn interval, yet there is not the least doubt that it' the St. Mary's had gone into action before the sad affair occurred for which he died, however perilous the fight might have been, Jackson would have fought at his gun without the smallest fear of death, or perhaps any solicitude about his future welfare; and had he been mortally wound. he would have met death with a smile, as all brave sailors do. At least, this is my opinion; perhaps some philosopher can explain it better than I can.
I return to my narrative. All things relating to our capture being settled, we had permission to depart with the barque, minus that portion of the cargo, which was given up by compromise, rather than carry the case to London which, as I have before stated, would have detained us several months and perhaps the loss of the vessel would have been the result. John Bull at this time cut a great swell on the ocean, and was very abusive to the American flag, and to American shipmasters in every port were they met. We sailed from Halifax for PJvmouth, where we arrived safe in seven days, the owner of the Barque, and the captain's family, not having heard from us since leaving Rotterdam, thought we were lost.