Defendant, " man of colour, an able seaman of the British ship Northampton, was charged with using abusive language to the chief mate, and with being absent without leave and drunk, on Sunday, the 14th instant. He denied' being abusive to the mate, but admitted the other offences, adding that the doctor came to him on Monday and asked him if he could go to his work. He told the doctor he could not, because he was drunk.
The Chief Mate the defendant was abusive to him on a former occasion, but the next day became aft, said he was sorry, and the affair was overlooked. On Sunday morning last, he went on shore between ten and eleven i forenoon without leave, and came on o'clock in the afternoon, in a state of intoxication, but was unable to turn to work until noon on Tuesday. On Monday, witness went to the forecastle. to seo him, with the doctor, who said he was drunk, and it was no use giving him medicine for that. There was no work being done on the Sunday, but it was usual for seamen to ask for leave before, going on, shore; no one had been refused. Defendant's wages were £4 per His Worsmrr said, on the former occasion, when defendant had been abusive to the mate, he had the good sense to express his regret for it, and it was overlooked. That, however, made the present matter worse, as notwithstanding the leniency shown towards him, he had repeated the offence. He must forfeit £1 from his wages, pay the cost of the summons, and return to his duty.
R. (Master of Star of Jamaica) v, ADAMS
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.