The long absence of Galley and Chater from their homes, coupled with the fact that about the time of their departure, Galley's great-coat was found in the road, very bloody, gave rise to suspicions that they had fallen into the hands of the smugglers and had met with foul play, particularly as the horse which had been ridden by Chater was found, without his rider.
These suspicions having been laid before the Com missioners of the Customs, and by them before His Majesty in council, a proclamation was issued, offering a reward to any one who should discover what had become of them, and His Majesty's pardon to the discoverer. Six or eight months, however, passed before any light was thrown upon the affair, which was gradually discovered by the following means.
A person who had been witness to some of the transactions of this bloody tragedy, and knew of the death of either Galley or Chater, and where one was buried, sent an anonymous letter to a person of distinction, stating that he thought that the body of one of the men that were missing, and who were mentioned in His Majesty's proclamation, was buried in the sand at a certain place near Rake ; some persons went in search, and the body of Galley was found, in an almost upright position, with the hands over the eyes, leading to the supposition that he was not dead when he was buried.
