The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-10
NEw-YoRK, March 8.
PIRACY AND MURDER.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.

Wv oNAS AshoiCh Os
4 PIRACY AND MURDER.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.
MONDAY.
AT an early hour very large con
course assembled in the City Hall t.
witnessthe progress ofthe trial ofthoss
persons charged with the murders com
mitted on board the Vineyard. Abou,
10 o'clock, two of the prisoners, Rob
ert DAVIS, and Thomas J. Wans,ey
were brought down from Bellevue, and
placed at the bar, in the room assign
ed TO the Circuit Court. 1t was, how
ever perceived. that this room could moi
afford admission to the number of per-
sons who were in attendance, and the
Court resolved TO bold the trial ia the
large room usually occupied by the Su-
perior Court. As soon as his Honor
Judge Belts had taken his seat, the
doors were thrown open, and the room
was crowded almost to suffocation, in
few minutes. A young man named
William Il. Boyle, who struck one of
the officers of the Court, who was en-
deavoring to preserve order, was
brought before the Judge, who stated,
that although the Court in such cases
could adopt summary mode of pun
ishment, II was preferred, with view
Of avoiding waste of time, dedicated
to more important business, to send
the case to the Grand Jury of the Ses-
sions. The young man was taken a
way in the custody Of one of the off,
GERS.
: The prisoners appeared to be en-
gagged in conversation about different
matters, while the preliminary arrange
mcnts were making.
The u. s. District Attorney moved
that the Court proceed to the trial Of
Thos J. Wansley who was according
ly placed at the bar. He had a seat
provided for him near his Counsel
Messrs. Davies, Morris, and Blunt.
His Honor the Judge said he wished
to suggest to the gentlemen who were
in attendance from the public press,
the propriety Of abstaining from pub
fishing any Oft the testimony before the
trial of the other prisoners, less it might
prejudice the Jurors who may be called
upon to try the case, adding however
that the result of each trial might be
made known.
When the panel was about to be
called over, it was agreed by the Coun-
sci that each Juror as he came TO be
sworn should be asked whether he had
formed an opinion--the Jurors em-
panelled were set aside on answering
in the affirmative.
The principal witnesses were John
Brownrigg and the boy Robert Dawes,
who was admitted as witness, and in
whose case it is understood the district
attorney intends to enter a nolle pros
equi.
The Jury returned verdict Of gull
ty ofmurder and piracy.
The prisoner all through the trial
preserved calm and unmoved coun-
tenance. When the verdict was Civ
en- he appeared slightly moved.
Cou. g. Eng. Tuesday.
A letter from an officer Of the U. s.
ship Eric, to his friend in Norfolk,
states that the Erie sailed from Ha-
vana on the llth ulf. and fell in with
a sloop, to which she gave chase, fir-
ing at her to bring her to-she, how
ever, escaped by superior sailing. The
e. returned to Havana in 3 or 4 days.
On the day after her arrival, Span
ish sloop Of war came in, bringing in
the sloop, which the Erie had pursued
few days before, which the Spanish
vessel had captured. The Captain Of
the sIoop shot himself during the chase,
from which it was presumed he was a
pirate. N. Y. Courier.
We learn by the brig Lawrence,
Captain Dexter, from St. Thomas,
that the United States ship vincehnss,
Captain Shubrick, arrived at St. Croix
on the 18th ult. from New York, hay-
ing on board Gov. Van Scholton and
suite. 49,, .a ID.
A vessel arrived at Payta on the l1th
Nov. z days from Guayaqril, reports
having spoke the u. 8. shooner Dol
phin Babbit, commander) on the bank
Of Pagana, off the island of Puma, had
cut away her bulwarks and thrown O.
verboard her guns, was in hopes to get
off next tide. The Guerrierre sailed
for Callao 26th Sept.-Nant Inq.
NauaL-We understand that the
following promotions have taken place
in the Navy, by and with the advise
and consent Of the Senate Muster
Commandants William b. Finch w.
B. Shubrick, Alexander Claxton, and
G. W.. Morgan to be Post Captains.
We also learn, that as many of the
T.ieute tenants of 1914 have been promo