Corner Testimony Home Minutes & Appendix Appendix
Revised Jun 5 2021
Coleman, Norman, McIntosh, and Byrne were acquitted. Mr. Heywood, Morrison, Musprat, Millward, Burkitt, and Ellison, were found guilty, and sentence of death was pronounced upon them; but the Court at the same time informed Mr. Heywood and Morrison, that they should recommend them to the King for mercy, which his Majesty was afterwards graciously pleased to grant. Musprat having requested that Norman, one of the prisoners, against whom there was no evidence, might be acquitted and examined in his favour, and this being refused by the Court, his sentence was respited till the opinion of the twelve judges could be obtained upon the question. They decided that the evidence ought to have been received, and in consequence Musprat was discharged.
The Sentence of the Court was afterwards executed upon Millward, Burkitt, and Ellison. When they were brought upon the forecastle of the ship in which the execution was ordered, Millward addressed the ships' crews and spectators, in the following words: "Brother Seamen, You see before you three lusty young fellows about to suffer a shameful death for the dreadful crime of mutiny and desertion. Take warning by our example never to desert your officers, and should they behave ill to you, remember it is not their cause, it is the cause of your country you are bound to support."