hey made the land
about daylight. Dawes and his three companions were in the long boat;
the others, with Atwell, were in the jolly boat--on coming to the bar
the boats struck--in the long boat, they threw overboard a trunk of
clothes and a great deal of money, in all about 5000 dollars--the jolly
boat foundered; they saw the boat fill, and heard them cry out, and saw
them clinging to the masts--they went ashore on Barron Island, and
buried the money in the sand, but very lightly. Soon after they met with
a gunner, whom they requested to conduct them where they could get some
refreshments. They were by him conducted to Johnson's (the only man
living on the island,) where they staid all night--Dawes went to bed at
about 10 o'clock--Jack Brownrigg set up with Johnson, and in the morning
told Dawes that he had told Johnson all about the murder. Johnson went
in the morning with the steward for the clothes, which were left on the
top of the place where they buried the money, but does not believe they
took away the money.

[Illustration: _Captain Thornby murdered and thrown overboard by Gibbs
and the steward._]

The prisoners, (Gibbs and Wansley,) were brought to trial at the
February term of the United States Court, holden in the city of New
York; when the foregoing facts being satisfactorily proved, they were
pronounced guilty, and on the 11th March last, the awful sentence of the
law was passed upon them in the following affecting and impressive
manner:--The Court opened at 11 o'clock, Judge Betts presiding. A few
minutes after that hour, Mr. Hamilton, District Attorney, rose and
said--May it please the Court, Thomas J. Wansley, the prisoner at the
bar, having been tried by a jury of his country, and found guilty of the
murder of Captain Thornby, I now move that the sentence of the Court be
pronounced upon that verdict.

[Illustration: _Gibbs and Wansley burying the Money._]

_By the Court_. Thomas J. Wansley, you have heard what has been said by
the District Attorney--by the Grand Jury of the South District of New
York, you have been arraigned for the wilful murder of Captain Thornby,
of the brig Vineyard; you have been put upon your trial, and after a
patient and impartial hearing, you have been found Guilty. The public
prosecutor now moves for judgment on that verdict; have you any thing to
say, why the sentence of the law should not be passed upon you?

_Thomas J. Wansley_. I will say a few words, but it is perhaps