Aleck; The Last of the Mutineers, or the History of Pitcairn's Island (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1845. Excerpt: ... Brunswick, in Portsmouth harbor. While all persons who were acquainted with the facts, agreed that the sentence of the court as to the three that were finally executed was perfectly just, there were many who felt differently in respect to the three others, and especially in respect to Peter Hey wood. It should be remembered, however, that the court were not at liberty to pass any sentence except death or a full acquittal; that the crimes of mutiny and piracy deserve the punishment of death as truly as murder and highway robbery; and that the mere circumstance that these prisoners remained with the mutineers must be evidence against them, unless it could be shown that they were detained contrary to their choice, by Christian and his party. The case of Peter Heywood is particularly interesting, on account, not only of his real character and subsequent life, but also of the distress and anxiety felt by his widowed mother and affectionate sister, from the time of Bligh's return, in March, 1790, until the promulgation of the king's warrant, in October, 1792. But this must form the subject of another chapter. CHAPTER VI. THE HEYWOODS. " Oh, fata voyage which robb'd my soul of peace And wrecked my happiness in stormy seas Why, my lov'd Lycidas, why didst thou stay? Why waste thy life from friendship far away 7 Indulgent Heaven, in pity to our tears, At length will bless a parent's sinking years; Again shall I behold thy lovely face, By manhood fortn'd, and ripen'd ev'ry grace; Again I 'It press thee to my anxious breast, And every sorrow shall be hush'd to rest." Nessy. It is worthy of notice, that the chief evidence offered against Hey wood came from Thomas Hayward and John Hajlet, who were midshipmen in the Bounty, and, having returned with Bligh, had been promoted, and at the tim...