The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-25 00:00:00

Lion works the danger of famine will be averted,
the land fertilised, and populous districts supplied
with the means of health and cleanliness. Through
the agency of the railways the furthest extremities
of our vast possessions will be brought into
ready communication with the capital, troops
can with readiness be transported to the scene
of danger or threatened disturbance, and thus the
chances of preserving peace and order will be very
greatly increased. For commercial purposes, too,
the extension of the railway system will be in-
valuable, while it will afford increased facilities for
temporary change of air and scene for the preser-
vation of health. Our officials, more especially,
have need of such a chance, and we•may hope that
the use of railways may expedite the removal of the
seat of government from Calcutta to some situation
more favourable to European life. There can be
no question that its site is bad, its drainage and
water supply equally defective, and the low marshy
ground round about adds to the chances of fever
and sickness. We see with regret that Sir
CHARLES TREVELYAN is invalided from that dan-
gerous complaint—over-work; he has started on a
tour in the northwest, which, it is to be hoped,
will recruit his strength. It is certainly high
time that something was done to change the
condition of our Indian life, and at least to
avoid adding to the evils of laborious duty in an
oppressive climate by a neglect of those common
laws of health which cannot be infringed with
impunity, even under our own kindly and tem-
perate skies.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICAN OUTRAGE.

The Seizure of the Saxon by the U.S. Steam
Ship Vanderbilt, and the Murder of James
Gray.

(From the South African Mail of Dec, 19.)
A public investigation of the circumstances attend-
ing the death of James Gray, late chief officer of
the bark Saxon, was held before the resident magis-
trate of Cape Town, on the 2d inst. Mr. Dutton,
acting clerk of the peace, conducted the examina-
tion; and the Hon. Mr. Deny ssen, Acting Attorney-
General, was present during part of the proceedings.
Stephen Shephard, sworn, stated—l was master
of the bark Saxon. She .eft Table Bay on the 2d
of September last, with cattle for Government and
bound to Ascension, where we arrived about the
17th of the same month. I proceeded by orders
from there to Angra Pequina. The orders were
from the owners, AndersoE, Saxon, and Co. We
arrived there on Oct. 16, is ballast. When there,
we painted the ship, and after being there for 11
days, I received orders to ship certain cargo that
was there, consisting of skins and wool. I took the
cargo from the beach by tey crew and some men.
I received no men from the Atlas. On the morning
of Oct. 30 I completed loading, and was preparing
for sea, end then observed a large steamer, which
proved to be the Vanderbilt, American man-of-war
steamer. She anchored abreast of Angra Pequina
(Penguin Island). I was lying about a mile
and a half from Penguin Island. Shortly
after the steamer sent an armed boat to
my ship. The officer in charge was Beldon, the
senior, and Donaghan, the junior officer. It
was about 1.30 p.m. when they boarded my ship.
The first question asked was where I was from, and
I presume they must have already seen our name on
the stern. Afterwards, how long I had been there,
and I told them. They then asked for my papers,
and I asked by what authority he wanted to see
the papers. The officer then told me that Captain
Baldwin had sent him to do so, adding, " Captain,
it is no use, I must see your papers." He did not
ask me what my cargo coxsisted of before he saw
the papers, but after looking at them he said skins
and wool, that will do. The officer retained the
papers, and went to look down the hold, and asked
me if I knew where the cargo had come from. I
told him all I knew was that I had come here to
take it in. He told me that he must take the
papers to Captain Baldwin, and then he left the
vessel, leaving the junior officer in charge. He
took the register, articles, clearance from customs,
and the bills of lading with him to the Vander-
bilt. I then told the officer that I was ready for
sea, and would leave with or without papers, as I
was bound to Falmouth for orders. He said you
had better not try it, for that the steamer could
go faster than I could. The Saxon was 21.5 tons
register, and registered at the Cape. On that he
left the ship. About an hour afterwards another
boat came from the Vanderbilt, with another
armed crew, in charge of Lieut. Keith. This boat
left her at the same time as the other boat left my
vessel. We were lying about two miles apart, and
a strong breeze was blowing at the time. They got
on board and placed armed men on the deck. The
crew first got aboard, then the officer followed. Oa
coming on board his crew drove my men below, and
the officer did not state his business at the time he
boarded, and I asked him why he boarded us. He
asked me who I was, and I told him that I was the
mate, and he told me that I was no more master of
this vessel, and " I will thank you to go below and
give no more orders, and I will not allow you to
talk to any of the ship's company." I told him he
ought to have come to me as a gentleman to tell me
what his business was, instead of taking charge in
the manner did, and before his commander had
seen my papers. He ordered me below then. I
made no reply and obeyed. About 4 o'clock lob •
served a boat with the Island men coming to our
ship to ask for some bread and meat. I told my
chiefehsome,ar g officer,ebuoft osah rolNullrd.
vessel,fiG re ay
first
which
irctohhr amht
e thehd ei
did.
Americanmight
Atfigrsi vtof
officer
ect
echm
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nin .
sented, but afterwards refused, but gave no reason for
refusal. Mr. Gray came and told me of this refusal,
and I told him to heave them into the boat, and if
he was prevented I could not help it. Mr. Keith
was standing by, and told me I was giving too many
orders, and if I did not go below he would soon
put me where the dogs could not bark at me. I
was down below for about 9 or 10 minutes, when I
heard the report of a pistol. I had been in my
cabin with a sentry at the door. On hearing the
report I rashed on deck, and some one told me in
passing they had shot the mate. I went to the
main deck and found Mr. Gray lying dead. I
raised him in my arms, but found life was extinct.
The ball entered at the back of the neck, and I saw
a pistol in Donaghan's hands, and I was told that
he had shot Mr. Gray. I asked the senior officer
why he had shot my mate, and he replied it was an
accident. I then asked the junior officer, and his
reply was, " poor fellow, I am sorry for him, but
must obey orders." They then took the body
below. In the meantime the Vanderbilt had gone
in chase of a vessel, and we were dropped down
to where the Vanderbilt had been laying,
nearly abreast of the island, about a
cabin's length off the island, and between
the island and the land. The Vanderbilt re-
turned the next morning, when I was sent for by
Captain Baldwin. On arriving on board he asked
me if I was Captain Shepherd of the bark Saxon.
I replied yes, and he then said, " Captain, I am
sorry for you, but your papers are not satisfactory
to me, And I must make a prize of your vessel, and
send her to New York, and we know that it is the
Tuscaleoze's cargo you have on board." Captain
Ba win did not mention Mr. Gray's death imme-
diately, and he only alluded to it twice afterwards.
Some time afterwards I told him that I was sorry
for the loss of the vessel and of the mate ; and the
Captain replied, in reference to the mate, he was
very sorry indeed that it had happened, and he
repeated the same remark the next day when I
was leaving the ship for good. I asked the offi-
cer oa board where Mr. Donaghan was, and was
told that he was under arrest, and that I could
not see him. The whole of the officers of the
Vanderbilt seemed very much affected on hearing
of the death of Mr. Gray, and seemed to regret it
during the time I remained. When I left the Van-
derbilt I was put on shore at Angra Pequina, where
I found my crew, who had already been landed,
with the exception of the second mate and•cook, the
former of whom volunteered to go in my place, and
the cook, being an American, went voluntarily.
They sent bread and water on shore for our use, and
we were left without shelter. The crew of the Van-
derbilt took the body of Mr. Gray below. The mate
was buried on the 31st of October, and one of the
Vanderbilt's officers, together with myself, attended
the funeral. None of the crew were allowed to do
so, but the second mate got into the boat in the
dark. We were landed on the Ist of November, and
walked across the land to Halifax, a distance of
about 11 miles, where we were afforded shelter until
we left in the Isabella for Ichaboe, where we stayed
about eight days, whence we proceeded in the same
vessel to Hottentot Bay, from where we were
transferred to the Lord of the Isles. I took the
cargo from the beach by orders of my owners.
Horace Carrew, sworn, states—l am an able sea-
man, and was one of the crew of the bark Saxon. I
left Table Bay to go to Ascension, and from thence
to Agra Pequina. We laid at Agra Pequina for
about twelve days. I recollect the Vanderbilt
boarding the Saxon, and I think it was about the
30th or 31st of October last. A boat came to our
vessel with an armed crew and two officers, the
junior of whom was Mr. Donaghan, but I don't
know the name of the other. I afterwards saw the
officer in charge of the boat come out of the cabin
with some papers, which I presumed to be the ship's
papers. He ordered the hatches to ba opened, and
which was done. He then looked at cargo, and
asked our captain whore the cargo came from.
Capt. Shephard said he knew nothing at all about
it, only that he had to come and take it. The officer
said, very well, I must take your papers on board
the Vanderbilt, and I leave this officer, pointing to
Mr. Donaghan, in charge. He turned to Mr.
Donaghan and said—you stay on board until I send

The eomplicated arrangements between Austria
and Prussia are now approaching a climax, and
doubtless before long some striking event will occur.
It is not at all improbable that, in their devices and
manoeuvres, they may overreach themselves at last,

and while they think they will circumvent others,

,hey will perhaps be nonplussed with their eon-
-used plans, and embarrassed by the several con-.

flicting claims. It is also very probable that there
may arise a disagreement between these allied

Powers in their wild excitement to crush an inde-

pendent State, and take advantage of the hesitation

of some and the difficulties of others to prosecute

heir own purposes of aggrandisement and satisfy
,heir unworthy greed. The state of affairs is alto-

gether most unsatisfactory as things are at present,
and every day's intelligence serves but to confuse
one's opinions the more as regards the ultimate
course taken by these belligerents. The conduct of

;he Prussian Parliament is most inconsistent—and,

indeed, it has been so all through these transactions,
With one hand they seem striving to uphold the

KING and the Ministers in their designs upon
Denmark, and with the other to circumvent and

oppress the Cabinet in the prosecution of their
plans, and prevent, in a great measure, their pro-
posals from being carried out. But even in this
they procedure they vary again, for we find the
Uyper House, in considering the Budget as amended
by the Chamber of Deputies, have rejected the

amendment by a large majority, and thus anew

created a fresh dilemma, and interposed additional
controversies. Unless some very different tactics be
shortly adopted, the policy of Berlin will become at
once a mystery and a scandal to the rest of Europe.
With regard to the Schleswig-Holstein question,
it appears that the aggressors are pursuing their
designs, and the troops are advancing. The Fede-
ral Commissioners at Hamburg have issued a pro-
clamation, which refers to the troops crossing the
frontier of the Duchies. This begins by a sort of

impartial review of events, but winds up by enjoin-
ing the authorities and inhabitants of the Duchies

to " afford to the Austrian and Prussian troops the
assistance which is required of them, and to receive
these troops in a friendly spirit." This is coming

to the point, indeed, and very fully expresses the
secret understanding and entire sympathy which
exists between the parties. There can be no valid
reason why these troops should be regarded in so
favourable a light, and it is only a very shallow
subterfuge that seeks to make them so. It is, in
short, a very ingenious defence of a bad cause that

the Commissioners have made in this proclamation
They acknowlewge that they speak in consequence
of several Governments having protested against
the de»tarches of the Austrian and Prussian troops.
They exonerate themselves by saying that they are
not part of the Federal reserve. What is the pur-
port of this denial, when it is self-evident that all
ere revolting in the same cause, and converging by
different roads to one great end. Amidst the various
points of interest, it is most gratifying to turn at-
tention to the Danes, for they are bright excep-
ceptions in their spirit and straightford
ness to the subtlety and statecraft of their
opponents. A pure love of patriotism, an earnest
desire to uphold their rights, and a firm adherence
to just principles and correct claims, seem to be
the ruling spirit and guiding influence of their
actions, and to cast a glory over their troubled
course and the doubtful issue of the struggle. The
last proposal is to assemble the Rigsraad in order
to consider the state of affairs previous to giving a
reply to the summons of Austria and Prussia in a
definitive manner. This is a wise proceeding, and
it is to be hoped that the delay which is requested
may be granted, as the posture of affairs may change
greatly for the better during the period of delibera-
tion; and, besides, by that time the debates in the
English Parliament must have exercised some in-
fluence on the Germanic Confederation; at all
events it is a matter of rejoicing chat in the midst
of this entanglement on the Continent there should
be a chance afforded us of having the truth made
manifest, and the general sentiments of our people
expressed, by the approaching session. Had it un-
fortunately happened that we were to wait some
months for the House to deliberate on what is now
passing, there ie no saying to what lengths the
Cabinet might have gone, or what direful catas-
trophe might not have ensued, which no after re-
proaches or recriminations coald have remedied.
Whether the Danes ultimately agree to withdraw
the Constitution in dispute, or whether they
persist in their refusal, whether they are
successful in the struggle or defeated in
their diplomatic controversy and their warlike
efforts, the same amount of blame will attach itself
to Austria and Prussia for their uncalled-for and
impertinent interference, and to the whole of the
Federal Government for their unfair demands and
harsh procedure. It is, then, especially important
that an opinion to this effect be put on record by
the members of our Parliament, and that party
feelings and political differences will not prevent
them from acting as worthy of Englishmen who are
serving the interests and representing the honour
of their common country. The day for hesitation
has gone by, and the time has come for activity
and decision ; let it not, therefore, be lost in
frivolous discussions and vague promises.

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT,

The following circular has been issued by the
Premier to the supporters of the Government in the
House of Commons :

Downing-street, Jan. 22, 1864.

Sir—The meeting of Parliament having been fixed for
Thursday, the 4th of February, I have the honour to in-
form you that public business of importance will be brought
forward. I beg leave to express my hope that it may be
consistent with your convenience to attend at the House of
Commons at the opening of the session.—l have the honour
to be, Sir, your obedient and faithful servant,
rALMERSION,

THE SIJN. LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 25, 1864...

a boat off. Captain Shephard was standing next to
him ; and he further said don't allow the anchor to

be weighed. Captain Shepherd said, my vessel is
quite ready for sea, and I intend to go to sea imme-
diately after dinner. Tb.e officer said, you can't, I
have got your papers; and Captain Shepherd said
I will go, papers or none. Our captain then told us
to go to dinner, and the officer left for the Vander-
bilt, leaving Mr. Donaghan in charge. We then went
to dinner, and after dinner we were called on deck
and went about our work, and another boat about
this time came from the Vanderbilt, and the officer

and men took charge of our vessel. We were then
ordered by Captain Shephard not to interfere.
Some short time after that, when I was behind the

galley, I saw Mr. Donaghan standing on the break
of the poop. A little before this a boat had come
from the shore with some fish. 1 heard Captain

Sbephard say to the officer in charge, will you give
these men in the boat some grub ? He said yes,

and I then saw Captain Shephard come in a hurry

to the place where the men were passing some meat
in the boat. The Vanderbilt's men were there
stopping them, upon which Captain Shephard said,
throw it into the boat, and if they stop you I can't
help it. At that time the American officer came
forward and touched Captain Shephard on the
shoulder and said, " Yon go aft, you are giving

too many orders, I will put you where the dogs
won't bark at you." Captain Shephard then went
aft, and it was then I saw Mr. Donaghan standing
on the break of the poop with several of his own
men near him. Mr. Gray was half-way up the
ladder, when he was ordered down by Mr.

Doogahan. I was distant about six or eight yards
from them. Mr. Donaghan said, "Go down." Mr.
Gray did not answer, or do anything, when the
officer repeated the order for him to go down,
adding—" or I will shoot you." Mr. Gray at the
time was facing him, when the officer pushed him
on the right shoulder with his left hand, and Mr.
Gray stumbled, and tried to recover himself, and,
as he turned his face towards the officer, be drew a
revolver and shot him. Mr. Gray had nothing in
his hands. Two of our men were close to him then,
and about a dozen cf the Vanderbilt's men also
about the spot. After he was shot he fell back-
wards, and I and others went to pick him up. I
did not see Captain Shepb and at that time. The
Vanderbilt's men then drew their swords and pis-
tols. None of the men of the Saxon were then
armed. Mr. Donaghan said—" lam sorry for him,
but he must obey orders." The man of the Vander-
bilt then drove us forward. Some short time after
this I and two others went aft, and saw the cap-
tain and second mate holding Mr. Gray's
head. Mr. Donaghan then said, pointing to
the boat which came for fish, there is some
humbug, as five men came off in her, and seven are
leaving. The next morning I saw the body of Mr.
Gray in the after hold, and the ball had entered
behind the left ear. About dusk that night the
body of Mr. Gray was taken on shore by the boat
of the Vanderbilt. One of the Vanderbilt's men
said, "Donaghan's a good shot, but he is a great
deal too fast." About 8 o'clock a.m., we were told
to go below and not to come on deck, and if we
wished to do so to hail the sentries first, if we did
not want to be shot. They kept ills on board the
whole of the day Mr. Gray was buried, and,on the
following morning we were sent on shore in the
Vanderbilt's boat.

William Murray, depOsed—l am an able seaman, and
was one of the crew of the bark Saxon when she was
seized by the Vanderbilt. I remember the first boat
coming alongside, with two officers in it. An officer who
was standing on the poop would not allow the mate to go up
the steps, but said he must go forward. The officer then
repeated the words, "Go forward, you pirates, or I will
shoot you," The mate did not make any resist-
ance, and did not seem to understand what the order
was for. The officer Donaghan then drew his revolver and
shot him. I was a couple of yards off when the mate was
shot. I could feel the mate's pulse beat slightly when I
went to him after he was shot ; but he never spoke, and
died in a couple of minutes. The mate gave Donaghan no
offence. The crew of the Vanderbilt was then in charge
of the ship, and we were ordered forward, but after
the mate was shot we went aft with the captain
and supported the mate, and Donaghan said, point••
ing to the corpse, " That is an Alabama man." In
referring to the boat which was leaving for the shore, I
heard Donaghan say, " Let us go on shore and do for the
lot of them." While I was leaning over the mate's body I
said that life was gone, and Donaghan replied, pointing the
pistol into my face, " No, it is not." I then told one of the
Vanderbilt's men to ask Donaghan to put down his pistol,
as it was at full cock. He was very excited at the time, and
said he was sorry for the mate, but at a time like this he
ought to have obeyed orders. Afterwards we were again
sent forward and driven below, and were warned that if we
came up without hailing the sentry we should be shot.
Richard Cable—l am an able seaman, and was one of the
crew of the Saxon. She was a British vessel, and I signed
articles at Cape Town. On the 30th October the Saxon was
seized by the Vanberbilt. I was present when the mate (Mr.
Gray) was shot. The captain (Shepherd) went below,
and a sentry was placed over him. Mr. Gray was standing
at the main rigging, close to me, the last witness, and
another man, and wished to go aft. The captain had then
been below about ten minutes. While Mr. Gray was going
up the ladder to the poop, Donaghan said to him, " Go
forward, or I will shoot you." Donaghan then pushed
Mr. Gray on the right shoulder and his foot slipped off
the ladder. Mr. Gray then looked up at Donaghan, as
if to know what it was for, when the latter, who bad his
pistol in his hand, shot him without any further remark.
I.did not hear any one call out "Fire 1" Mr. Keith was at
the other side of the poop. Mr. Gray had not made the
least resistance, or even lifted his hand. Mr. Gray was
much liked by all the ship's company. Mr. Donaghan bad
dined with Mr. Gray in the cabin, and I don't think the
latter had given him or any other of the officers any offence.
After Donaghan had shot Mr. Gray, he ordered his men to
draw their swords, and we were told to go below. The
Vanderbilt's men were twice as many as ours, and they
were armed with swords, pistols, and rifles. As I was going
forward one of the men of the Vanderbilt, who had his sword
in his hand, asked me if we wanted to take the ship back
again, and I said, " Does it look like it ?" Before Mr.
Gray was shot there were more than a dozen of the Vander-
bilt's men about him, so that, had he shown any resistance,
they could have overcome him.
The inquiry then terminated.