Morning Herald

George Thompson examined.—I was the steward of the brig and left in charge of the cabin when the captain went on shore. In the evening Willson came aft, and talked to me very loud, and threatened to flog me. He said he was going to leave the brig in the long boat and take the supercargo's trunk. I refused to talk with him and went below into the cabin. He called to me several times and said "if I did not come up he would make me." He was then sitting on the rudder head, and I went up on deck. He told me to come and sit on the taffrail, for he wanted to talk to me. I refused, for I suspected he intended to throw me overboard. He said, "you fool, come here, for if you don't, I will do for you with this stick, and take the trunk when you can't know of it;" at this, the man that was mate came aft and threatened my life, and at last they took the boat and put in some sails and rigging. They took the beef and pork out of the harness casks, some bread and water, some oil, tea and molasses out of the cabin, and the trunk that had the money. They threatened to kill me, if I would not go, and at last I went.

We were at sea a few days, and first landed at South Bluefields, where the trunk was broke open, and the money and gold divided. The mate then left us, hired an Indian to take him up the country with his share, and we saw him no more. While we were alone, two of the natives came down, and seized our boat, cut away the masts, and did other damage. They had arms, and Willson proposed to go and fight them; but I refused, saying that I would rather stay ashore and be taken. Willson, Johnson and myself kept together for some days after this; but me and the cook, happening to stroll farther off, we were taken by two different parties, and all carried to Boca-del-terro. I believe Johnson and Willson were separate when captured.

Cross examined. I came home in the ship on duty. I left the brig with the others, voluntarily, they having told me that if I did not go they would throw me overboard. Willson said once that as him and the captain could not agree, one of us must leave the ship.

Counsel.—Did you not ask pardon of the crew, and ask to be taken off with them'?

Witness.—No. Willson said he'd forgive me for everything I'd done afore, if I'd do—

C.—Do what?

W.—Why I don't know.

C.—Well, but you must tell?

W.—Why they had broached a liquor cask.

C.—What had that to do with your asking pardon?

W.—I can't tell, except it was about the shirt and the frock.

C.—What about that?

W.—Why, I had taken them from the mate and swapt with Wilson.

C.—Was that a crime?

W.—No. But then I told the Captain that they broached the liquor cask: and for this they made me ask pardon.

C.—Now I want to know if you did not help to get the things out of the cabin?

W.—No. I only got the quadrant.

C.—Nothing else?

W.—No. I never touched anything but the Captain's quadrant.

C.—Now who was mate on board that brig?

W.—We had no officer at that time, except the Captain.

C.—Who brought up the trunk?

W.—Thompson took care of that, and did the whole of the work in the cabin.

C.—Who steered the boat when you left the ship?

W.—Willson took the tiller and the others went to sleep till daylight. We had a compass, but I do not recollect who put it on board. There was hardly any wind when we started, and we had to row until we got out of sight of the land, and then we crowded all sail and went to sleep. In the morning the trunk was opened without much trouble, for, I suppose, Willson had got it open during the night. We found it had doubloons, silver dollars, a safety chain, gold dust, and other things.

C.—Did you take your share?

W.—Not of the gold dust; that I sold for twenty dollars, but I had about sixty-five dollars of the money.

C.—What became of the clothes and other things?

W.—We divided them, and cast lots for each share.

C.—Did you see any person where you first landed?

W.—Yes, some Indians; but they did not molest us. It was here the mate left with one of the natives.

C.—Why did you not go with him?

W.—Because I thought it was of no use; and I refused to go to sea again, though Willson wanted us, and threatened. This was before the boat was taken, and while we were in the bushes.

C.—Did the mate and Wilson appear to be leagued together when you left the ship?

W.—Yes.

C.—What did you do with your share of the money?

W.—I bought a canoe with thirty-five dollars, and gave up the rest to the Captain. I expect that Willson threw his money overboard; at any rate, it was never found.

C.—Do you recollect saying, the morning after you left the ship, taking hold of the trunk, "here you see is three thousand which you would not have got if I had not come with you?'"

W.—No nothing of the kind took place.

D. A.—When they told you that if you did not go in the boat with them, "it would be the worse for you," what did you understand?

W.—Why, that they would throw me overboard.