The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-23 00:00:00

THE CHILIAN ABDUCTION CASE.

Yesterday, at the Liverpool police-court, Manuel
' Antonio Matta, and Angel Custodio Gallo (two
members of the Chilian parliament), and Guillimo
Matta and Benjamin Vicura M'Kenna (editors of
a newspaper published at Santiago), appeared to
prosecute Captain Leslie, of the ship Louisa Bra-
ginta, for illegally detaining them on board his
vessel. Dr. Wheeler, of Manchester, and Mr. As-
pinall, appeared for the complainants, and Mr.
Deighton for the captain.
After Mr. Aspinall had recapitulated the state-
ment he had made on the previous Saturday, Senor
M'Kenna stated that he was the editor of the
Asamblea, published in Santiago. On the Bth of
December last a public meeting was called at that
place, to consider measures for the reconstruction of
the government of Chili. He and his three friends
were present at that meeting, and during the
proceedings they were surrounded by -a band of
soldiers, taken into custody, and detained in prison
for three; months in Santiago. His friends Matta
and Gallo were members of the legislature, the one
being
.a representatiVe from Valparaiso, the other
from Caderas. After being in prison for the time
specified they were put into a close carriage, and
escorted to Valparaiso by a company of 25 soldiers
headed by an officer. The Aistance between these
two places, about 90 miles, was ,accomplished in 30
hours. They arrived at Valparaiso about mid-day,
but for Teat.of -pOpular outbreak they were not
allowed to enter till nightfall, when they were taken
to the wharf and shipped on .board the Louisa Bra-
• ginta. A company of soldiers received them on the
gangway, and a few of their friends were allowed
to communicate with them. They were not informed
whither they were going, and about ,three hours
after they had been placed on board the ship sailed
under the convoy of a war steamer, which accom-
panied her about 10 or 15 miles. The complainants
made no protest until the steamer, with the military
on board, had parted company with the ship. Then,
however, they told Cap.tain Leslie that he had been
guilty of 'a breach of inte4national law, for which
they could call him severely to account The cap-
tain replied that he was• under- contract with the
Chilian• Government, and• that he must fulfil his
contract.' They told him' that the 3,000 dollars
which he' was to receive for -their 'passage, though
four times the amount paid by ordinary passen-
gers, would he cheerfully ;uaranteed to him,
with 1,560 extra 'for' himself, if he would land
them at Arica.' The captain refused,- and their only
alternative Was 1O 'remain by the vessel: When
two days- out, and Opposite the Isle of• juan Fer-
nandez,. £he ,eaptain asked itthrey would like to be
landed- there, .but, this they declined, the island
being uninhabited. - :Senor M'Kenna then told the
captain that they "should'' not further remonstrate
with him, ba-that on, their arrival in- England
they would bring hitn •to justice, and if necessary
lay the case before the Foreignioffice. W. Hotton,
chief made of the Louisae.Braginta; stated that the
captain informed him' about 20 daytCbefore-the ar-
rival of the, coinplainantirthat-he, -,Was expecting
some fiblrtical-plisongrs; anti. that preparation must
ht made-for them'on hoard. He, witness, after the
arrival of the • complainants was.. sUpplied with a
pistol and ammunition, and so also were some of the
crew, their instructions-being to use them in case
of need. The agents at Valparaiso who signed the
contract with the Milian governm'ent were Messrs.
Huth, 'Gruin, and C.

Mr. Deighton, after endeavouring to prove that
there was no case, said he would take Mr. Mans-
field's decision on a case of common assault.
Mr. Mansfield declined to settle the case thus, as
it involved several points of• international law,
which ought to be submitted to a higher tribunal.
They might have the case dealt with summarily, by
the captain placing himself under arrest for twenty-
four hours, and then by 'a writ of habeas corpus
the case might be transferred to the Court of
Queen's Bench. He (the magistrate) thought,
however, the best policy of the counsel for the de-
fence would be to assent to a committal to the
assizes.

The captain was then committed to the assizes,
two sureties in £3OO each, and himself in £6OO,
being accepted for his appearance.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES. - Wheat, 49s 11d;
barley, 31s sd; oats, 24s 11d; rye, 36s 9d ; beans, 46s
7d; and peas, 40s Zd.

THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES...._ Wheat, 52a 6d ;
barley, 32s 9d ; oats, 25s 9d ; rye, 368 5d ; beans, 46s 3d ;
peas, 42s ld
ENGLISII GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.--Wheat, 83,830;
barley, 2,478 ; oats, 5,346 ; rye, 37 ; beans, 1,471; peas,
116 quarters.