Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-15
From the Journal of Commerce

native OF Khode Island, were tried and found guilty
Of murder in the u 5. Circuit Court--the former on
Monday for the murder of William Thornbv captain
Of the orig-and the latter Tuesday for the muir
der OF William Roberts, the mate, on the high seas
on the night Of the Esd November last
IT appeared in evidence that the brio VINEYARD
William Fharnby. master, sailed from New Orleans
for Philadelphia, with crew of eight persons viz
William Roberts, mate Charles Gibbs John Brown
Thomas J. Wansley, and Jas. Talbot, most of whom
were shipped in that port. During the passage on
the 5th day out, Wunsey, the steward, informed
the crew that there was money on board, which led
To n combination to murder the captain and mate .
take possession OF the vessel and divide the money
The night of the 23d November was fixed on for the
Preparation of the decd. That hight while Dawes
was at the helm and Brownrgg aloft, Wansley, who
was called by Dawes to trim the lamp, struck the
Captain with pump brake the back Of the head
which lcvecd him, and followed UP the blow with
others until he was dead Gibbs and Wansley then
took him by the head and feet and threw him over
board. The murder IF the mate was assigned TO
Atwc and Church. They stood by the companion
wey, waiting for him to come out of the cabin and
as he, hearing the noise, Fastening up ascer-
thin the cause, they struck him over the head with
club. He turned and ran below followed by Gibbs
who being unable to find him in the dark returned
took out the binnace light, and proceeded again in
search of him. He found him bleeding below, drag
ged him on deck, and held him firmly, while Atwel
and Church beat him over the head. Before he was
dead the three seized and hove him overheard. He
did not sink Immediately, but swan after the vessel
hen took possession of,he vessel, and promising not
to injure Talbot. Brownrigg md Dawes, if they
proved true to them proceeded to open the kegs and
divide the money. They found about $50 900 on
board which distributed equally among ALL
They then steered nortt-eusterly course towards
Long Island, and when they had arrived within -
miles south of southampton Light, they scuIad the
brig set fire to her, and took to the boats. Gibbs
Wanslcy Dawes and Brownreg, were in the long
boat, and Talbot Church and Atwell, in the iolly
boat. 1t bowed very hard. and the jolly boat was
upset, and her crew drowned. Those in the lone
boat. in order to Themselves found it necessary
10 throw more than half of the money tney had
aud finally succeeded III reaching Pelican Island
whence they crossed to Great Barn Island buried
he money, and went 20 the house of Mr. Samuel
Leonard. Soon after they reschcd Mr.. Leonard's
house. B.ownrgg gave information respecting the
murder and robbery, and the next day, when they
left the Island, they arrested at the house OF
Mr.. Johnson, and committed to Elatbush Jail.
The evidence ofthe guilt of the prisoners was full
and conclusive. Their confession of the crime |
gratuitously made TO Messrs Merritt aud Stevenson
who had the custody of them from Fiathush to this
city, could have left not semblance Of doubt on the
mind of anY person who heard the testimony of those
officers. And we learn from the persons who con-
vcycd them to the Penitentary on the night of the
conviction of Gibbs, that both freely admitted that
Brownrigg and Dawes had given faithful relation
of the circumstances, except in trifiug part-
cuars.
There nothing peculiar IN their department
during the trial. The visage of Gibbs was occasion
ally darkened with transcient emotion, but he had
evidently abandoned ali hope of escape. and sat the
greater part OF the time with his hands between his
knees calmly surveying he scene before him. Vans
ley more agtated, and rcinbled vsiblv when he
to hear the verdict OF the Jury. We aye in
formed that Gibbs has declared his intention of
avoiding the gnominy of the gallows if possible and
it VIII therefore be we'll for those entrusted with his
custody to take such prccaution that he cannot add
the of suicide to the already black caaloo1,e
his offences.
motion in arrest of judgment was made to the
Court yesterday morning, but 1t was overruled and
notice given that sentence would be pronounced on
Friday.
dent at Rio Janciro, paper Of that city, containing
The following:
CIRcUMsrANTTAL ACCOUNT OF THE LOSS OF THE
TuETis The Thets frigae (46 guns sailed from this
port for England on Thursday Sd inst, and on Sun
tay the 5th she struck on the rocks off Cape FRO
at about 20 minutes past P. NJ. The night was
very dark and rainy, and the vessel steering n. E.
by T.. with lf0re-top mast studdnp sail set poinn
about knots, when a general CONSERVATION was
caused by he cry o"land ahead" ard up!" hauds
shorten sails" which iastantly followed by
dreadful crash; The bow spirit broken off short
about II feet rom the stem, and hung over the lar
board bow by TIE fore stay, and served as fender
10 keep her bows from the rocks, and prevented them
from berg stove in; guns were fired, which were
distinctly heard by the inhabitants of Cape Fro the
ipremaSt fell almost Immediately after, as also the
The at the wheel, and one the mzen msst,
the second master, besides seaman and
ina rne the masts having fallen fore and aft and the
yards athwart ship. The ships head now went off; .
throwing her quarter on the rock, when about 60
men effected their escape; the larboard anchor was
let go, and small sail hoisted on the stump of the
fore and main mast, to pay her off from the rocks,
and blue lights were burnt. 1t at length ascer-
'ained that the vessel had entered small bay >
with high rock Immediately over head; the helm :
vas tended in the gun room till the rrdder went; ,
chain pumps rugged but she made TO water; the
ship then swung with her larboard bow on the rock
and hawser and ropes were got shore, but as
here small rock to- take turn round, the
men could not hold on; considerable number how
ever, made their escape,-about midnight the ship
went of to the distance nj her length from the
rock and sunk stern foremost; after some delay,
rope was got ashore and the remainder of the crew
were slung in "a bowline knot and dragged through
the surf The Captain remained tho wreck till
luite exhausted, and it was near daylight when he
came on shore-~A perpendicular rock Of nearly 20
feet in height was be surmouDted, fndr then
steep hill covered with loose earth and prckly plants
which rendered the ascension extremely arduous. as
neither officers nor men had any thing but shirts
md trowscrs, and many without shoes, and had su-
cred much from fatigue and exhaustion Another