Hallett Testimony Home Minutes & Appendix Edwards Testimony
Revised Jun 5 2021
Between five and six o'clock, on the 28th of April 1789, Thomas Hall told me I was wanted aft, on the quarter deck; Captain Bligh then stood on the quarter deck in his shirt, Christian holding him in his left hand, and a cutlass in his right. Christian ordered me to bring a bottle of rum, and serve every man under arms; and at the same time to bring up the Captain's cloaths, I did so; and put some cloaths over Captain Bligh's shoulders, and then served the drams.
COURT. Name who you served.
A. Christian first.—I believe McKoy and Williams were on the starboard side.—I served several, but am not positive who; then I went on the quarter deck and served Ellison, no more on the deck; I then went down with the bottle; by that time the Captain was gone over the side; I saw Mr. Samuel in the Captain's cabin, getting his papers and things; there was a centinel below, between the cabin and Mr. Friers; Sumner and Quintal remained below until the Captain was gone over the side; I then came up with wine in my hand, and went across the ship, and put the wine into the boat and we dropt astern.
Q. You say you served the drams by Christian's order?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you give a dram to Coleman?
A. Yes; some in a tin pot.
A. No; he refused.
Q. Where was he standing?
A. By the windlass, with his back towards me, and his hands in his pockets.
A. No.
A. I don't know.
A. No.
A. Yes.
A. No.
A. No.
A. Yes.
A. Yes.
Q. Did any person go into the boat after you?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. How long was the boat alongside after you went into it?
A. It dropt astern directly.
Q. Did Christian order any to go into the boat?
A. No.
Q. Was you ordered to go into it?
A. No.
Q. Did you assist in hoisting out the launch?
A. No.
Q. You did not see her hoisted out?
A. No.
Q. In what station was you?
A. Captain's servant.
Q. Who ordered you to get the Captain's cloaths?
A. Christian——when I went down for the rum.
Q. How long after the mutiny began, before you served the drams?
A. Immediately after putting the Captain's cloaths on. I can't say how long.
Q. When you offered a dram to Coleman, where was he?
A. Forward upon the booms.
Q. Had he arms then?
A. No.
Q. You say when you offered a dram to Mr. Heywood, he had no arms?
A. No; he was neither talking nor doing any thing.
A. Yes.
Q. Where?
A. I can't tell, I did not offer him a dram.
Q. Had he any arms?
A. No.
A. Yes.
Q. What was he doing?
A. I don't recollect.
A. Standing with a musket in his hand.
Q. In what part of the ship?
A. Before the mizen mast.
A. Standing by the booms, having no arms.
A. i don't recollect seeing him at all.
A. On the fore pan of the quarter deck.
Q. What was he doing?
A. He was under arms.
A. He stood with a musket in his hand on the after ladder.
Q. per MORRISON.—Do you recollect when you came forward with the bottle, that Coleman and I were talking together, and you gave Coleman a glass in a tin pot, and said, 'Morrison, you may as well have a drop, though I am ordered to serve none but the centinels'?
A. I do not.
Q. per MUSPRAT.—Do you know on that morning, if any one came down abaft, and got a bottle of rum to serve the ship's company besides yourself?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. per MILLWARD.—Do you recollect any person who took the case from you, and the other necessaries, handing up for the good of those going in the boat?
A. i do not recollect.
Hallett Testimony Home Minutes & Appendix Edwards Testimony