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The following important intelligence is taken from the Cumberland Packet.
THE late most interesting trial at Portsmouth, of the unfortunate mutineers of the Bounty, has produced such an investigation of the subject, that the world will be astonished at the information, which will be shortly communicated by a gentleman who attended the trial as an advocate; the public will then be enabled to correct the erroneous opinions, which, from a certain false narrative they have long entertained, and to distinguish between the audacious and hardened depravity of the heart which no suffering can soften, and the desperation of an ingenuous mind torn and agonized by unprovoked and incessant abuse and disgrace.
Though there may be certain actions, which even the torture and extremity of provocation cannot justify, yet a sudden act of phrenzy, so circumstanced, is far removed in reason and mercy from the soul deliberate contempt of every religious and virtuous sentiment and obligation, excited by selfish and base gratifications. - For the honour of this county we are happy to assure our readers, that one of its natives, FLETCHER CHRISTIAN, is not that detestable and horrid monster of wickedness, which with extreme and perhaps unexampled injustice and barbarity to him and his relations he has long been represented, but a character for whom every feeling heart must now sincerely grieve and lament.
On the 5th of this month, Mr. Christian's brother, to his great surprize, received the following letter from an officer late of the Bounty"
"Sir,
" I am sorry to say that I have been informed you were inclined to judge too harshly of your truly unfortunate brother, and to think of him in such a manner, as I am conscious from the knowledge I had of his most worthy disposition and character, (both public and private) he merits not in the slightest degree: therefore, I think it my duty, Sir, to endeavour to undeceive you, and to re-kindle the flame of brotherly love (or pity now) towards him, which I fear the false reports of slander and vile suspicion may have nearly extinguished. Excuse my freedom, Sir: - If it would not be disagreeable to you, I will do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you, and endeavour to prove that your brother was not that vile wretch void of all gratitude, which the world had the unkindness to think him: but, on the contrary, a most worthy character; ruined only by having the misfortune, if it can be so called, of being a young man of strict honour, adorned with every virtue, and beloved by all (except one, whose ill report is his greatest praise) who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
"I am, Sir, Your's, &c."
After the interview produced by this letter, Mr. Christian's brother had the happiness to hear this character in every instance confirmed by three other officers, and by two of the sailors, who were acquitted upon the trial, being all the persons belonging to the Bounty who could be found in the neighbourhood of London.
Mackintosh, one of the seamen, added with an honest simplicity, - "Oh! he was a gentleman, and a brave man, and every officer and sailor on board the ship, would have gone through fire and water to have served him."
The mystery of this melancholy transaction will soon be unravelled, and then the shame and infamy of it will be distributed in the just proportions, in which they are, and have been, deserved.