The following letter, received by the overland mail from Captain Murray, of the Georgiana, gives the details of the disgraceful mutiny and desertion of the crew of the arrival of that vessel at Geelong. It will be seen that the captain, after applying to the authorities for protection, and after taking due precautions against surprise, was at length driven to protect the property under his charge by force. The death of the ringleader seems, however, to have only stimulated the savage violence of the mutineers in their ill-treatment of the captain, doctor, and petty officers of the ship. We learn, however, with satisfaction, that some check seems likely to be given in future to outrages of this character, as the captain adds, in a postscript:- "On receiving intelligence of the above occurrence, the authorities at Melbourne immediately established a water police at Geelong." Our readers will, no doubt, be curious to learn why this step, so long and importunately pressed o the late Government, was not taken a little earlier. The Georgiana sailed from Greenock on the 12th July, with 300 Government emigrants from the Isle of Skye, whose conduct in refusing to aid the authorities of the ship seems the more deserving of reprobation, as they had only just presented the captain with a memorial of their satisfaction with his conduct during an unuallly rapid and prosperous voyage.
"Barque Georgiana, Geelong, Nov. 9, 1852
"Gentlemen - I have to advise you of the safe arrival at Port Phillip Heads, on the 12th of October, of the Georgiana, under my command, where we had to remain for four days wind-bound, and waiting for a pilot. on Saturday, the 16th October, we moored at Geelong, where I found every ship deserted by officers and crew. On my application to the harbour master for protection, I was told it was no use my applying for any, as there was not sufficient police to protect the town, far less me. We had a most remarkable fine passage, all on board being both healthy and contented, and on our arrival here were highly complimented for the general cleanliness and comfort of the ship and passengers. The crew and officers have behaved well during the passage. Acting up to Captain Temperley's instructions, I used every precaution to keep my crew on board by taking all the boats on board and filling them with lumber, &c., so as to prevent surprise - myself and officers only keeping watch by day and night. From the general conduct of the men, I had not the slightest suspicion of the occurrence which I will now describe. About one p.m, Sunday, the 17th of October, the emigrants being at dinner, eighteen of the crew, headed by the cook and boatswain, came aft and demanded a boat to go to the diggings, asking me to go with them - all standing with their hands behind their backs. I refused. They then said, 'We will take her by force.' Nearly every one then showed some deadly weapons, such as knives, pistols, &c. At this critical juncture I asked the doctor and mate's advice, and then went forward and asked the passengers' assistance. I then went among the men and remonstrated with them upon the folly of their conduct, and begging them not to leave me in distress, pointing out to them jow I was bound down to execute a certain character under a penalty, and at the same time offering to increase their pay, but in return received nothing but curses and abuse, for, as they said, go to the diggings they would, as it was now their time to make their fortune, and if I would dare to prevent them taking the boat they would do for me - pistols at that time being pointed at me, and knives and daggers flourished before me. I told them they need not think to intimidate me, as I was determined to protect the property placed under my charge, and warned them that the first man who dared to hook a tackle to that boat, for the purpose of taking her away, and leave the ship in distress, I would shoot, the cook, with a heavy oath, hooked on the after tackle and then pulled on the fall, and encouraged the rest to do the same. The doctor and myself warned them a second time of the consequences; but he put me at utter defiance. I then pulled a pistol from my breast and fired. He fell. The sailmaker then fired at me, and put a second pistol to my ear, which snapped. He then pointed at the doctor, his pistol again snapping. We were then all overpowered, myself being thrown face downwards on the deck, when I was most brutally kicked and stabbed, and lashed hand and foot up to the wheel chains, and left for dead. They then put the boat over the side, taking their clothes, &c., with them, and pulled for the shore. I got a passage on shore by another ship's boat, and immediately acquainted the authorities of the whole affair. As I have instructed Messrs. Thorne, Sparks, and Co. to forward newspapers to you, you will be able to glean from them what has since happened, more than I can by letter communicate. There being no letters for me on my arrival here, and being so unpleasantly situated, I consigned the ship to Messrs. Strachan and Co., who is one of the Legislative Council here, who very kindly interested himself and others in my behalf, and got up a subscrition for the apprehension of the mutineers. On receipt of your letter, which I handed for perusal to Messrs. Strachan and Co., they at once arranged with Thorne, Sparks and Co., who is one of the Legislative Council here, who very kindly interested himself and others in my behalf, and got up a subscription for the apprehension of the mutineers. On receipt of your letter, which I handed for perusal to Messrs. Strachan and Co., they at once arranged with Thorne, Sparks, and Co., the present agents of the ship. I did not get clear of all the emigrants till the expiring of the 14 lay days, as they were very cautious and dilatory in accepting engagements. I have all my lists and certificates made out and very satisfactorily signed here in triplicate, and forwarded to Melbourne for the counter-signature of the Governor, with implicit instructions to the agents there to forward one set by the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Formosa; the second by the first sailing ship; the third I retain. I have landed the greater part of the surplus stores, which I feel confident will realise a handsome profit. You will see by the newspaper that seven of the crew are apprehended, and committed for trial the 21st December, and that I and the first and second officers are bound over to prosecute at that date.
"I am, &c.,
"R. Carter and Co." "R.MURRAY.
