The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-17

NC II NJ once 10 he WOTu, onO iet tneTe De
no mistake!
TRIAL YoR MURDER AND PiRAcv. Thomas
J. Wsnsley, colored man, aged %, a native of
Delaware, steward Of the brig Vineyard, and
Charles Gibbs, 80, 4 native Of Rhode Island,
werc 'tsied and found guilty Of murder in the
Uuitf6 States Ciscpii Court--the former on
Monday for the murder OF William Tnornt.y,l
captain Of the brig and the latter on tuesday,
for the murder of William Roberts, the mate,
on the high seas, on tho night Of the 23d Of
November last. The testimony given upon
the trial was 90 nearly the same with tina
published by us at the time of the arrest Oft the
prisoners, that il 10 unnecessary to repeat II
except in summary form.
II appeared in evidence that the brig Vine
yard, VIM. Thornlsy, master, sailed from New
Orleans Eor Philadelphia with crew ofcisht
parsons, viz: VIM. Roberts, mate, Charles
Gibbs John Brownrigg, Robert Dawes, Hen.
James Talbot, most Of whom were shipped at
that port During tho passage, on the 6tth
day out, Wansley, the steward, informed tho
crew that there was money on board, which
led tn combinatioh TO murder the captain &
mate, take posse ssion Of the vessel, and divide
the money. The night Of the 231 Nov. was
fixed on for the preparation of the deed. That
night, while Dawes was at tho helm and
l,rownrigg alot, wansley who was called by
Dawes to trim the lamp, struck .hc captain
with pump brake on the back Of tho head,
which lcvellcd him, and followed up the blow
with others until he was dead. Gibbs aud
Wansley then took him by the head and feet
aud threw him overheard. The murder the
mate was assigned to Atwoll and Church.
they stood by the companion way, waiting
for him to come ont of the cabin, and as he,
hearing the noise, was fastening up 10 ascer-
tam the cause, they struck I:im over the head
with club. lie turned and ran below. fol
lowed by Gibbs, who being unable to find him
in the dark, returned, took out the binnncle
tight, aud proceeded again IN scarch Of him.
ie found him bleeding below, dragged him
on deck.aad hold him firmly. whilo Atwsli and
Church beat him over the head. Before he
was dead. the three seized and hove him over
board. lie did not sink immediately, but
swan after the vessel, crying for help Tor :. or
minutes. They then took possession of the
vessel, and promising not 10 injure Talbot,
;Irownriyg and Dawes, if they proved true to
them, proceeded 60 open the kegs and divide
the money. They found about S50,OV0 ON
board. which was distributed equally among
them all. They then stcered north easter.
ly eoursa towards Long Island, and when they
had arrived within - miles south Of Souiham-
ton Light, they scuttied the brig, set FIRE 10
hor, and took to the boats. Gibbs, Wansley,
Dawes and Rrownrigg, were in the long boat,
and Talbot, Church aud Atweil, in tho Jolly
boat. IL blowed very hard, and the jolly boat
was upset, and her crew drowned. Those in
tho long boat, in order 10 savc themselves,
found il necessary 10 throw over more than
half of tho money they had, and finally suc.
ceeded in reaching Pelican Island. whchcc
they crossed TO Great Barn Island, buried the
money, and went to the house Of mr.. Samuel
leonard. Soon after they reached mr.. Leon
ards house, Brownrigg gave information re-
specting tho murder and robbery, and the next
day. when they left the Island, they were ar.
rcsted at tho house Of mr. Johnson, and COM
mittod to Fla,bush Jail.
The evidence Of the guilt of the prisoners
was full and conclusive. Their own confes.
sion Of the crime. gratuitously made TO mes.
srs Merritt and Stevenson, who had the Gus.
tody Of them from Flatbush to this city, could
have left not tho semblance of doubt on the
mind OF any person who heard the testimony
Of those officers. And we learn from person
who rcconveyed them TO the Penitontiary on
tho night ofthc conviction Of Gibbs, that both
freely admitted that Brownrigg and Dawes
had given faithful relation Of the circunl.
There was nothing peculiar in their deport.
mcnt during the trial. The iron visage Of
Gibbs was occasionally darkened with a iran.
sicnt emotion, bu. he had evidently abandoned
all hopo Of escape, and sat the greater part Of
the timc with his hands between his knees,
calmly surveying the scene before him. Vans.
Icy was more agitated, and trcmbled visibly
when be rose TO hear the verdict of the jury.
We ere informed that Gibbs has declared his
intention Of avoiding the ignominy of the gal.
lows, ifpossible, and il win therefore bo we'll
Cor those who arc entrusted with his custody,
TO lake such prscautious that hp cannot add !
The crime of suicide TO the already black cat |
slogus Of his offences.
4 motion in arrest Of judg ment was made
10 The court yesterday morning, but il was
nvsrrulcd, and notice given that sentence
would bo pronounced on Friday.
IN. Y. Journal Of Commerce.
The Commercial Advertiser Of Friday con.
lains On account Of the closing Of the trial,
from which the following paragraphs arc OK.
lracted.
The Judge stated 10 Wansley in the usua,
form tho substance OF the charge on which he |
rad been indicted, arraignrd and found guilty; !
Ind asked him the usual question. Wansley |
'aid that he would say few words, though |
'e did nee know that il would he ofany use 10 J,
him. lie said that he had always known that ,
! difference Of color produced difference Of
reaiment, where white men were tho iudrss
rkcy lad taken the blacks from their own |
'ountry, and scattered them over their own
stlle fpsnts, ssd treated them differently from
hose Of their own color. There was On an. 4
ipssky, 40 Iss kusw entertained By the whites
gaias coloscd persons. He had found Il 20
imseH. both ~ regarded the Witnesses and
uross 10 (his case, and a. the hands of the
district Atsarney. Much false testimony had
zen given, as he ofccurse had The means Of
novisr. Tho witncsses would not discIcss
he nsissnss In which he first came To give in.
,rnssion as 10 the money being on board.
'we indictments were found against him, or !
'e oGsecs charged In tine of which he wss I
uiIilcss Hs guessed he had said enough.
lhs Court told hun 10 proceed, ifshers
90 aay thing else be wished "a ssy. Ne I
'sn sssssd, Ihat " was ths 6rsl mas who