Mutiny at Juan Fernandez.

     About the year 1822, the whaleship Ploughboy of Nantucket was cruising in the Pacific Ocean, and needing a recruit of water she directed her course toward the island of Juan Fernandez. The ship anchored at a safe distance, and three boats' crews went on shore.

      This rocky, isolated spot, 400 miles from Chili, had been selected as a suitable place for a penal settlement, but the convicts placed there were on the lookout for a convenient opportunity to escape, and when these three boats arrived, they seized them, took on board as many men as they could carry and pushed off. The 18 men thus left so unceremoniously on shore, watched with deep anxiety their receding boats, believing that the knaves meant to take the ship, but hoping that the captain would also suspect their intentions and if the attempt was made that he would give them a warm reception. They were therefore disappointed when they saw the contemptible crowd board the ship, and various were their conjectures as to the probable fate of their companions now in the power of unprincipled men. As for themselves, they determined to make the best of their situation until they saw a chance to get away.

      Only one boats' company, consisting of six men, besides the steward and cook, having remained on board, it is no very difficult thing for the convicts to overpower this small number aud assume command. The villains then directed the captain to weigh anchor, make sail and carry them to a certain port they named. The orders were promptly obeyed and with apparent willingness, but all the while the crew were trying to devise some method of frustrating the designs of the usurpers. A course was, at length, determined upon, which, if successful, would give them the slip, if unsuccessful, would cost them their lives. The exact mode of procedure was talked over, until well understood by each of tho eight men, and one night, at 12 o'clock, while the convicts lay asleep on deck, the captain gave the significant order, "Brace the main yard!" This was the signal for action and the Americans, having previously armed themselves immediately made an attack upon tho foreigners. Some were taken prisoners and heavily ironed, while those who resisted were killed and the captain and his legitimate crew once more gained possession of the vessel and started for the coast of Chili for help. On reaching Valparaiso, they were fortunate enough to find an American man-of-war in port. Not a decade had passed since the whaling fleet of the Pacific had been greatly crippled by war and our government, jealous of the rights of her citizens, now made it a point to look after the Interests of her whalemen.

      The Constellation immediately went to the assistance of the ship and the prisoners were transferred to the Fort, where the authorities at once found them something to do. These criminals so anxious to better their condition, now had a chance to draw a contrast between life on Juan Fernandez and being in a chain gang compelled to carry stones on the public roads. The obnoxious passengers having been disposed of, the next thing planned was an expedition to rescue the exiled crew.

      All this time the Americans were at the island in a state of suspense, but one morning a cheering sight met their view — for two vessels were approaching, one of which proved to be their own ship, the other a craft of no less importance than a United States frigate, for the Constellation had gone all the way from Valparaiso to see that the crew were rescued from the convict island. The transfer of the men was successfully accomplished and the Ploughboy then resumed her whaling voyage.

      The ship Washington, Swain, of Nantucket, arrived at Edgartown on Monday last, in 96 days from Valparaiso. In her came passengers Capt. Sheffield, late master of the brig Herselia, of New-London, and part of his crew. Capt. Sheffield informs, that the account of the fall of Callao into the hands of the Patriot forces, was received at Valparaiso about two weeks previous to the Washington's sailing. The Royal pirates at Orico, near St. Marys, had been driven into the interior by the Patriots from Conception. Capt. S. and all except five of his crew escaped in two boats from Orico sometime previous, and arrived at Valparaiso. Capt. Ridgely, in the Constitution, not being able to go down immediagtely, to recover the Herselia, and brig Ocean of Boston (also captured by the Pirates,) Sir T. M. Hardy generously dispatched the sloop of war Conway. Capt. Hall, and Capt. S. accompanied him to Orico, where on arrival, they found the place in possession of the Patriots, and the vessels burnt by the Royalists previous to their departure. Capt. S. thinks there is no doubt of the murder of Capt. Russell, and boy, of the Hero, and Capt. Clark, and 2d mate of the Br. ship Perseverance.

      The convicts at Juan Fernandez, assisted by the garrison, had imprisoned the Governor; and on the arrival of the ship Persia, Capt. Cross, of this port, for refreshments, detained two of his boats with his first officer and ten men, and attempted to get possession of the ship, with a view, as was stated, of getting to the continent. Capt. Cross however, escaped with the ship, and went into Valparaiso. The mate of the Persia induced eight of the convicts to take himself and seven of his men to Massafuero in a launch, where they fell in with the Washington; and after boarding her, the Spaniards, who were armed, took possession of the ship. During the following night, Capt. Swain and crew, assisted by the Persia's men, succeeded, after an obstinate conflict (in which two of the Spaniards were killed,) in regaining command of his ship, and proceeded to Valparaiso, where he found Capt. Cross. Capt. Ridgely, with the Constellation, immediately sailed in company with the Persia for Juan Fernandez, to recover the three remaining men and boats.

      The Governor of Valparaiso presented Capt. Swain with an elegant sword and pistols.