Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-08
ARRESTED.

PIRATES ARRESTED.
Arrest of Part OF The Crs1 of the Sarah Ldrtnid.-
Two Of the crew engaged in the murder on board hi
vessel, were arrested yesterday morning by an office
from New Bedford, assisted by the U. S. Marshal 0
New York, and they are now in the prison in Centr
street. Their names are David Babe, a large man
and Geo. Matthews, somewhat the reverse. Matthew
has a father living in Maryland, where he was born
Babe is a native of England, and his real nam is saIe
to be VIM. Brown.
After the arrival of the boat yesterday morning, nc
trace could be obtained of The pirates, till q man wen
on board with the ticket given TO them, and requested
the delivery Of a bag of clothing which they had lef
on board. This led TO their arrest. Mattbew VS. was Ia
ken into custody forthwith, and Babe i'll abou, half an
hour afterwards, he having been absent when the off
GERS first went 10 the house.
Not the least doubt exists but the prisoners are guilty
of Piracy, Matlhew US having made a confession OF The
whole Transactions, so far as he knows about 1t, but h,
saws he was not concerned in the murder, either of tn.
Captain, Mate or Cook. His account of the mnrdel
is, that when the schooner was ten days sail from New
port, and while il was the Captains watch on deck. ir
which was stationed Babe, the Mate WINS called on deck
by Webster, who, after a s%cutfle, threw them over.
board, and altered the vessels course. Webster then
came below and walked Matthews, and told him what
had happened, threatening him the same fate, ifhe made
any noise about 1t.
Through fear of threats, Matthews Joined them and
assisted IN working the vessel until they made The land
off Newport, when Babe and Webster concluded that
the death of the Cook, a black man, was necessary to
their safety; and while the schooner was putting about,
and the Cook tendin ing the j'b, one of them approached
him unawares and struck him on the head with q NAL
let, knocking him down; both then assisted in killing
him, after he was knocked down. Matthew VS. was al
the helm, when he saw the whole affair.
Webster and Babe then opened the trunk Of the
Captain and Mate, from which they took clothes and
other articles. Among the articles taken was a bag Of
the Captains clothes, which arr. in the U S. Marshal's
office, and are marked with blood, apparently rubbed
from the Clothes of the murderer while taking them
from the trunk. The Mates gold watch was also To
ken and changed in Broadway for q silver one and
$50 IN money. II has been recovered.
Matlhew VS. denies that he was engaged in either of
the murders, and says his life was threatened, if he
made the least remark. He was willing TO tell all he
knew about The affair, until told by the officers that he
had better not say any thing about It.
In appearance he is a very timid looking man, and
it may be possible that he had no immediate hand
in the affair, and it is probable that he will DO used
as States evidence at the trial.
The discovery of Babe and Mathews, we learn, was
made as follows After landing at Newport, where
they lodged, they took the steamboat for Providence,
and thence to New York ria Stonington, by the Mas.
sachusetts steamer.
They arrived here on Tuesday last. Fortunately, on
landing, they left on board the steamer a carpet bag,
which went back to Sloning.on in the Massachusetts,,
and the Officer, on examining the clothing, found some
belonging to the Captain and Mate of the Sarah La.
vinia, which led 10 the arrest.
Webster has not yet been arrested, but measures have
been adopted, which will probably be successful IN ef-
fecling his capture. He is but Is years of age, yet he
has attained, apparently, TO full stature, being tall, and
well formed.
The prisoners, by advice of their Counsel, now re.
fuse TO answer any questions. All that Gun be heard,
even from Matthe WIS lie, that "thIngs are in a bad situa.
ton"
The probability is, that the unfortunate Master and
Mate, like the Cook, were suddenly deprived of life, and
thrown overheard. The examination Of the prisoners
will take place on Tuesday next.
The arrests having been made here, the jurisdiction
in the case is in the Courts Of this district.
(Nen York Express, august 3.