The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-14

MUTINY AND MURDER.-One OF the most revolt
ing tragedies that we have lately had to record
occurred board the ship ST. Louis, Capt Haley, on
the last trip of the ship Vera Cruz to this port
Among the crew Of the St Louis, which shipped
at Vera Cruz, we're two Spanards, named Pedro Mar
tinez and Antonio Sibelick who hard working
and good Sailors and until the night of the 18th ult
while about one hun dred miles from the Southwest
Pass had enjoyed the confidence of both captain and
sailors. On the evening OF the day above mentioned
Antonio went aft to the captain and told him that the
crew had threatened to throw his friend Martinez and
himself overheard, and that he feared they would do
so-requestipg at the time permission to sleep
on the poop deck Captain Haley laughed at the man
the had been making fun Of him. granted his re-
quest, Martinez being at the wheel The heat in the
cabin being oppressive, tho captain and passenger
named James Chapel, had mattresses brought up on
the poop deck and laid down for the night At about
II O'Clock, Capt Haley was awakened by cry from
to ss e I'll ss
exclaimed, "My God what have done that they
should murder me ~ Captain H. raised himself, and
him. knife in hand. The scoundrel, Antonio struck at
the captains breast but missing his aim, the knife
entered the left shoulder and striking the bone the
point was considerably bent. The mate who was on
watch on the forward deck, on hearing the noise,
came running aft when Antonio rushed upon him and
attempted to stab him The point Of the knife being
so badly bent did not do much injury and the mate
immediately closed with the murderer. Capt. Haley
this time not aware that he was hurt at all and
clinehed with Antonio to assist the mate After a
little scule all three fell upon the deck-the mate
under Antonio upon him, and the captain uppcrmost;
Ing with the fury Of tiger to keep possession of his
knife. he weapon was finally wrenehed from his
grasp when he Immediately abandoned the defence,
and quietly submitted to be bound and tied to the
mzen mast. Captain Haley then first discovered that
he was wounded and bleeding profusely. He went
below In a faintipg condition, and found that Mr.
Chapel had made his way to the cabin also. Mr.. C.
inquired Of the captain if he hurt saying at the
came time that he nearly dead himself Captain
Haley here tainted from the loss of BLOOD when he
recovered MIR. Chapel dead Mr.. G. was found to
have received wound about seven inches in depth,
in the right side just below the ribs cutting the intes-
tines, and rendering all surgical aid in vain.
The object Of this cold b.ooded murder appears to
have been to get possession Of q package of money
known to be in the of Mr.. Chapel ; as Captain
Haley states that when he was about sailing from
Vera Cruz, a steamboat off to the ship and
package was delivered to Mr. c., which the men saw,
and supposed to be doubaloons. The whole amount
of money, however, did not exceed $500. A Mexican
who was among the crew of the st. Louis, informed
Captain Haley after the murder bad been perpetrated
that he knew on the day previous that something of
the kind was contemplated by the Spanards, they
had ntimated 1t to him, and endea vored to induce
him to engage in it, by telling him that as he spoke
Spanish, he would also be thrown overheard. The
Mexican was standing the mizen mast at the
time Chapel was stabbed and Immediately ran below.
and buried himself so deep among the boxes and bales
in the hold that 1t took the mate two hours to get
him out Capt Haley however not suspect him of
having been concerned in the and the re-
which Antonio used beonge his frie nd W ho
was known to be in the plot, and secured. After
Indifference to what done with him, and in less
than an hour after being secured to the mast fell
asleep, and slept soundly till morning When asked
why be murdered Chabell, he refused to answer any
he would haue been satisfied. The st. Louis arrived
here sunday last, and the two men were delivered
committed to prison. An affdavit was made before
Acting Recorder Golding, and the prisoners will be
srraigned this morning. and returned before the u.
g. District Court for trial.-N o. Picayuue, Sept 8.