New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-02
Ia w INTELLIGENCE.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT-JusE L-Beiore
Judge SxALLsr.
THE OYSTER-SLOOP TRAGEDY.
SENTENCE or HICKS TO RE HUNG.

THE OYSTER-SLOOP TRAGEDY.
SENTENCE OF HICKS TO RE HUNG.
This morning was the time appointed for the sem
tsnce Of Albert W. Hicks, alias Johnson convicted of
piracy and robbery the high As soon as the
doors were opened the Courtroom was flied with
large concourse of spectators, and it was with great
difficulty that the officers of the Court could keep the
passage-way clear. About 10 o'clock the prisoner was
brought into Court kandcuied. The irons were taken
of by officer De Angels and the prisoner was sta
toned at the west side of the ROOM where he engaged
in conversation with his counsel. He subsequently
seated in the middle Of the Courtroom. The appear
ance of Hicks was somewhat and detected,
though he betrayed hut little emotions.
The Judge took bis seat few minutes after 10
o'clock and after silence had been restored District
Attorney Roosevelt and said that it was now the
time and place for the representative Of the Govern
men to move for senteI upon the prisoner at the bar
Tie prisoner rad been four guilty Of crime which
the law associated with punishment Of death, and no
other course was left, AID discretion with the
Court, Jury or District Attorney Were it in any
other CAGE he free TO say that he shoud move for
sentence of death with great reluctance and commser
afion Capital punishment not in favor with him,
above all for robbery the hi Oh seas disastrous as
that might be- and the feeling of the age was against
move for iud ment Of the law, under the knowledge
| that though the verdict had been for the crime Of
piracy yet it involved charge for the murder OF three
innocent in cold blood for the miserable oonsdera-
ton of few dollars, pieces OF old clothing, ana
an old watch. These men were murdered without
warning and without being able to make any defense
The prisoner had murdered hs companions and asso-
ciaes on the sloop-had violently, cowardy and sur
reptitiousy taken away their lives. In such case,
even if discretionary with the Court he would
feel it his duty to move he now did for the sentence
of law upon the prisoner.
The Court then directed the clerk to ask the prisoner
if he had anything 10 say why the sentence OF the law
should not he pronounced against him.
In answer to such inquiry by Mr.. Stlwel the pris-
oner replied, 81 have nothing to say"
Judge Smaey then addressed the prisoner as follows:
THE SENTENCE.
You, Albert W. Hicks, otherwise William Johnston,
have been indicted by the Grand jury for this district
for robbery and piracy upon the high seas. You have
had patient and fair trial before All honest Jury of
your country. You have been defended by able coun-
sci with great fidelity, but found guilty.
The evidence against You WAS 80 strong, clear and
conclusive, that who heard II could doubt the
correctness of the verdict. The evidence also estab-
lshed, beyond moral or rational doubt that in order
| to accomplish the robbery you were guilty ola triple
murder. That to enable you to possess yourself OF the
paltry sum $3.50 in money and some clothing not your
own Won, the first officer Of the sloOp IN which you
sailed as she proceeding 10 sea- in the stiffness OF
the night and under It's cover, In cold blood ana WITH
ont proyocaton murdered three innocent, notensiye
persons and threw them in the sea- and the next morn
ing ATTEMPTED TO escape with your boOdsalned plum
| der But the finger OF Providence seems 10 have fol-
lowed YOU and pointed Won out 10 the guardians OF the
law. You were pursued, arrested, and most OF your
ilgotten gains found upon you aud IDENTIFIED by the
most uuustakabe evidence, the property ana cloth
ing Of the missing andas it appeared on your trial
murdered men. The annals Of crime present few cases
of greater atrocity and horror than this most nhnmal
and revolving violation OF the laws OF your country ana
of the Great Ruler Of the Universe, for which you
! soon iusty nav the forfeit of life.
III crime is of such an aggravated character, and
your guilt so certain and incontesble that you must
not hope anything from Executive elemency. Inc
Court therefore would urge you TO earnestly aud SIN
cerely devote tie little time that may yet remain 10
You Of life to repentance and preparing to meet your
last and final Judge The Of the law and the
Cont is that YOU be taken from this place to the
prison whence you came there kept in close condne-
ment until Friday, the 18th day of July next, aud on
that day be taken thence to Elliss leland OF 70 Bed
loes Island in the Bay, the Marshal for tins District
NAV elect and between the hours OF 10 IN the morning
and three in the afternoon, be hung by the neck TIL
! YOU are dead.
The prisoner heard the sentence unmoyed AT the
conclusion Of the Judges remarks be was removed by
the Marshal.
The Judge then announced that for all practical
purpose. the Circuit Court would be adjourned I'll
Thursday next He understood that there was heavy
criminal calendar in which number Of the witnesses
for the Government were detained in jail. He could
not perceive the justice Of imprsoning men who had
committed no ofense against the laws. lie would
therefore announce the counsel for the respondent
that he should take up the criminal cal 'ndar on his re-
turn Oh Thursday next aud proceed with 1t TILL I'M
ished. No postponemeIt Of cases would be allowed
except where there was some immediate necessity for
tie same The Court then adjourned.
SUPREME COURT-CHAxBKRs 80 JUSE before Justice
| EOSNEY
| DECISIONS.
| Putnam agt Martin et al.-Noon to change place
ofti,l 10 Greene County granted costs to abide event
/ - lIu.lrr III Il