The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-23
Trials for Murder on the Ocean.

Abraham Cox, cook and Peter Williams, seamen were
recently tried Portland Me- for the murder Of the cap
tain mate second mate and OF the brig Albion
Cooper the 2sth Of August last The following the
cooks confession of the tragedy detailed by of the
Cox told me that on the 9th OF August tina, the
mate went below and upset box OF beans Cox told him
that II not him thu done II, said the then hauled
OF and bit him with a slung shot, Cox and told the
captain Of Il; capt. told hm that he had nothing do
with H. the mate had been Ia the ship the voyage before
and had al the charge Of her some days after inst he
brought tue mate coffee at be spilled over
his cup lhe mate i"d bm Ne was very dirty COOK and
hauled ef and hit him with his right hand Cox said he
ud not noihngtha be wanted 70 get along easy
he could the afternoon Of 2sh Of August Williams
asked Cox Il he would lend hi0 hand 10 murder all
hands board Cox said he did not think could be done
williams told him could be done we'll enough when they
were all asleep, the afternoon Of 2sth August, the
captain. mates and Williams all aft 0shng; vii
ams gave Cox two rszors 10 fasten two sticks Cox lash
ed them on two sticks alter be lashed them on the sticks
he sorry be had TO do with that he wanted
70 get chance aft 10 inform the captain, but that
Williams and the rshman watched him close he could
get al he went TO bed that night at eight O'Clock he
slept the galley about half past two middle
watch, Williams came 10 the galley and called him; Will
liams had Ratchet in his shirt, and in his hand
COX had razor IN one hand and knife In the other
both went AFT together captain lying the
side Of the house second mate lying rolled up in the
msinsa Williams hauled off and struck the captain
blow across the neck Cox feeling the outside OF
the mairss for the second mate the second asked
him what be doing Cox told him that Tom had
him aft 20 trim the pinnacle light Williams asked him
what Ia hell be doing talking to him-why don't you
cut him williams struck the second mate a blow with
the Ratchet second mate Jumped up, and cried odear"
aud Murter and tried ~ 60 down In the cabin vii.
lams headed him Oh, and bit him blow on the head
the starboard side Of the quarter deck with the hahet
that killed him there the mate heard them deck; he
was IN bed below IN cot in the cabin; he
q blow on the head with a Ratchet, and be fell
back the foor. he left him lying there. vii.
Lame says "Ie 60 forward and kill tina, man In the
forecasic Williams went AT IN the port fore rigging and
brought second autern down from there and called the
lrishmsn 10 hold IT, the reason Williams hal for killing
Burns the sailor that he refused him (wliams) 10.
=
and told him 10 IN and strike the FIRST blow his head
wrs leaning over his berth towards cox Cor hr him a
blow With the face of the back q hrs head and
neck Williams told him 10 bit him again: he told vii.
liams he would not bit him again, dead alive: williams
the door and left they opened the door six clock and
he alive after shutting the door Cox hack 10
the cabin and the mate not there the was m
the captains state roam he opened the door aud the
mate y ing the cabin deck, and Cox hit him two
blows on The bead this was between two aud three
the morning after this they lighted the galley Gre and
made some coffee; Cox boiled ham; went down aad
rummaged the captains aud mates state rooms took all
the clothes, OK took the two watches hanging up
in the captains state room, with the intention q
bringing them home with Cap. sturdivaut, and
Of the watches and he gave IL 10 him day after
the murder williams and the Irshman married up the
bodies and bove ibem overbcerd-thst is wrapped them
up canvass and fastened them with spun yaru they
then tried 10 the brig ashore but the wind headed
or and they could not they wanted TO leave her any
hos they tsrrc the boat inside after they tarred her
inside they put her the side and told bail her
out they left the brig the morning O'clock afer
ne rishmsn set Der Ore; ater they got in the boat
Williams told him what 70 say, " they happened 10 get
picked up esi was, thai on the night Of the 26th Of
August The rg struck with squal which took the
out OF her that took the captain, mate and
second mate and overboard said that the Irish
man and Williams made him say the boat COX
said he Intended 10 take the chronomeer with him that
secured down, and be could not after saying all
this Cor said, ~ never committed any murder board
the Albion Cooper, so help me God he said ihs, be
struck two little blows on the bead Of the mate and
blow on the man IN the forecastle.
The terminated the conviction Of IN prisoners