The trial of Richard Parker, complete; president of the delegates, for mutiny, &c. on board the Sandwich, and others of His Majesty's ships, at the Nore, in May, 1797. Before a court martial, held on board the Neptune, of 98 guns, laying off Greenhithe, near Gravesend, on Thursday, June 22, 1797, and following days. / Taken in short hand, on board the Neptune, by Job Sibly.

EXECUTION OF PARKER, The MUTINEER.

FRIDAY morning, (June 30th, 1797) at 8 o'clock, A. M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gun was fired from on board his Majesty's ship L'Espion, ly|ing off the garrison; Vice Admiral Lutwidge's flag ship, and the yellow flags: the signal of capital punishment, was hoisted, which was immediately repeated by the Sandwich's hoisting the same color on her foretop. The Sandwich was stationed rather above Black Stakes the headmost ship in the fleet. The garrison, on the gun firing, were immediately under arms, consisting of the East and West York, and West Norfolk militia; a corps of Invalids, and a train of Artillery; all of which, with fixed bayonets, marched out to Sally Port Gate, with their colors flying, and proceeded in single files, along the South shore of the Medway, near to Queenborough, in order to be spectators of the event—all the barrier gates of the garrison were now shut, and each ship in the fleet at this time, sent a boat off with a Lieutenant and a party of marines, to attend the Sandwich; and the crews of all were piped to the forecastle, and the marines drawn up on the quarter deck, to be witnesses of the ex|ecution. The prisoner, who had taken his usual repast in the birth allotted him in the gun room, and passed the night in great com|posure, was awaked a little after six o'clock, from a sound sleep, by the Marshal Provost, who with a file of marines composed his guard. He arose with cheerfulness, and requested permission might be asked for a barber to attend him, which was granted, he soon dressed himself in a neat suit of mourning (waistcoat excepted) sent him by a friend of the name of T••mpla••, wearing his half boots over a pair of black silk flocking: he then took his breakfast talk|ed of a Will he had written, in which he had bequeathed to his wife a little estate he said he was heir to; and after that lamented the misfortune that had been brought on the country by the mutiny, but solemnly denied having the least connection, o•• correspondence with any disaffected persons on shore, and declared that it was chiefly owing to him that the ships had not been carried into the enemy's ports!

At half past eight, he was told the Chaplain of the ship was rea|dy to attend him to prayers upon the quarter deck, which he im|mediately ascended uncovered. At his first entrance on the deck, he looked a little paler than common, but soon recovered 〈…〉〈…〉 complexion; he bowed to the officers, and a chair being allowed him he sat down a few moments, and steadily surveyed 〈…〉〈…〉 of marines under arms, round the deck; he then arose and told the clergyman he was ready to attend him; the chaplain in|formed him he had selected 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Psalms appropiate to his situation to which the Prisoner•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, said; 'And with your permission, Sir, I will add a third,' and named the 51st that beautiful confes|sional of David, and imploring of forgiveness, "Have mercy upon me O God, after thy great goodness according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences, &c. He then ••ecited each alt••••|nate verse in a manner peculiarly impressive. At 9 o'clock 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preparatory gun was fired from L'Espion, which he ••••ard with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the smallest emotion.—Prayers being soon after closed, he rose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 asked Captain Moss 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if he might be indulged with a glass of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wine? which being immediately granted, he took it, and lifting up his eyes exclaimed—"I ••••ink fir|st to the salvation of my soul:—and next to ••••e forgiveness of all my enemies!"—Addressing him|self to Captain Moss, he said "he hoped the would shake hand•• with him,"—which the Captain did; he then desired "that he might be remembered to his companion•• on board the Neptune; with his last dying entreaty to them, to prepare for their destiny, and re|frain from unbecoming levity!"—

The instant he was visible at the yard-arm, the Telegraph was put in m••••ion to announce it to the Admiralty; and from the clearness of the atmosphere and quickness of working, the advice must have been received in seven minutes.

He suffered exactly at half past nine, and was lowered down ••••|ter hanging at the yard-arm a full hour, when the yellow-flag was struck, and his body instantly put into a shell that had been prepar|ed for it, with all his clothes on; and soon after it was taken in one of the Sandwich's boats, and rowed to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 point of the garrison, and there being landed, was carried to the new ••••val ••••••••|ing-ground, out of the Red Barrier gate, leading to Minster. ••••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lid was here taken off to the spectators for a few minute••; his countenance a••pea••••d no•• much altered, but his eyes were wide open. His body was, however, afterwards taken up by his friends, and brought to London. It was on Sunday lying at a house in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, near the Tower.

Parker was about 33 years of age, five feet ten inches high, and well made, his complexion, eyes, and hair, dark; his nose promi|nent and his countenance expressive and manly. He was the 〈…〉〈…〉 a bake•• at Exeter, and had spent most of his life at sea.

FINIS.