The Sun. — 1826-08-22 (London, England)

POLICE-OFITIC E. —Yesterday Slimuel Libby, who was brought up on Saturday, charged with the murder of T. Tate, on hoard. the Kent South-Seaman, was put to' the bar previous to his Committal. ' All the witnesses were in attendance, and their depunitions being read over to them, they were bound over to prosecute. Mr. BRODERIP inquired whether the Captain of the Kent was present? Captain 'Parkins immediately came forward. Mr. BRODER!r handed the Captain a paper, which, lie raid, he was re; quested to do by the prisoner. It was an account of the wages due to him, which lie 'demanded payment of. . The Captain replied, that until the ship was gauged he could not tell what was due to him. Mr. Berms:ere inquired how soon that might he? The Cape tain said, about five days. Mr. Buoustare eared what sum it was probable would be coming to the prisoner. The Captain said that the prisoner would be entitled to the Itifith part of the cargo ; and he conceived that if he bad been on duty the whole voyage, be would be entitled to about 38/., but that he was 11 months in irons, aod, of course, wages were only due to him up to the period of the fatal occurrence. Mr. Bnoteitete asked, what might have been due to the prisoner at that period ? . ' The Captain said he could not tell, as he did not know what the price of oil Was in London then; but be imagined there might be 18/. or 201. coming to the prisoner. He stated that there was au account due to him by the Khmer. Mr. BRODIMP inquired what could bathe nature of the account which the Captain had against the prisoner? The Captain stated, that the prisoner had put him to great expence in consequence of breaking his irons, and escaping three times, and with the expencee of .retaking him lie charged him. Mr. Baonsate expresses some surprise at hearing that the prisoner had attempted to escape, and begged the CiPtain to state the particulars. • The Captain said, that being anchored off New Zealand, the prisoner broke two locks which secured his irons, and effected his escape into the bush at New Zeeland, among the natives, and lie was obliged to give the natives several muskets, as a premium for retaking the prisimer, and after three days' hunt they succeeded : the second time he escaped, they were lying in company with another vessel, . and he again contrived to get 61 of kis irons, and got the ship's boat, and escaped iii her, and they overtook hint pet near the shore. The third and last time he made a. desperate effort ; they,, were lying at anchor off ' the shore about three quarters of a mile, and lie again broke the locks which fastened his irons, jumped overboard, and attempted to escape by swjrnmiug, and the attempt was very near euc.  ceeding. The priioner evinced a considerable degree of impatience disc ing the recital .of the Captain, and frequently exclaimed, " Hi charged me 76 per cent. on things which he gave away Co others —that's not fair." Mr. Hamm requested the Captain to, explain what the prisoner meant. The Captain said that every sailor bad a share in the cargo, and he pays all expellees, insurance, &C., and brings out with hint certaiu articles for the voyage, such as slops, &c. which he sells to the crew at the usual allowance of 76 per cent. profit; and that it coat hint a great number of muskets, which he gave the Nov Zealanders for the taking of the prisoner, and which be had charged him with. Prisoner-.—You charge use 131. for the muskets for taking me, and 111. interest upon it. Mr. Baoorair rooked how was that? Prisoner—The price of a musket here is only 1/. lbs., and he charges me '75 per cent. on it again. Is that fair ? The Captain said it was the usual allowance, and appealed to the rest of the crow. He said that the prisoner was a fellow of most infamous character, and as long as be was on hoard hie ship gave him a great deal of trouble. Prisoner (looking at the Captain most indignantly. )_lf I was fellow of iulantous character, why did you snake an officer of me? pi triw Captain (contemptuously.)You an officer. Prisoner.-,-Yea, I an okficer ; was I not the foresteerer? atAlled, payr.BaontEheuiperilslpeerd any thing CAta tnitere was owing to him, as his would, on the vessel being g situation was a very aufortunate one. The Cjiptain assured Mr. Broderip he would. The prisoner way than fully committed for trial, anti all the parties left the office. -