The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-12

expedition, he prevailed on TO accompany the Dutch
officers in transport ship to the Dutch fortress OF Paen-
bang carrying with him his Malay secretary He spent
some time in that part OF Sumatra visiting different
tribes and forming acquaintance with native princes
who were unfnendly to the Dutch rule. He was free in
expressing bis opinions TO the resources OF the coun
try and of The great progress which il might make under
better governmentprobably adverling TO the peculiar
fitness of the Yankee character for the development OF
lis great resources These conversations increased the
suspicious and jealousies of the Dutch officers and in
duced them TO keep closer watch upon his movements
He determined 10 make voyage up the river with the
Firt and before starting he dictated to his secretary
letter to be sent 10 the Sultan OF Jambee apprzng him OF
his design Instead Of writing what was dictated. be
saws that his treacherous secretary wrote the following
| letter
TRUSTY MESSAGE
/ MANY salutations and honorable courteses from me-
Cant Gibson whose Kingdom is in the land OF America,
mpores the Lord of all may grant that this shall
appear before the gracious Lord Sultan who yields do
minon the empire of Jambee. Now, have written
this make known most uathfy that have sent
ono of my officers with three followers TO the OF
The Lord Sultan that desire to be most friend
" terms with your highness can help the Lord Sultan
in all his desires, because the American government has
magnificent quantities OF powder, sho' cannon and IT.
las (biunderbuses or navs weapons) can help TO Inn
prove the condition OF the Malay people, for have deep
dislike for all Duchmen, and desire that the Lord Sultan
make this known to all Malays
Sultan, you shall be with me. l wish 10 know
the way from Jambee Pslembang. and how far it is
wish give freedom the Malay people, and them
to their glory aud united dominion. In month
| will be at the mouth OF the Jambee river.
The Lord Sultan with my officer whatever is
best and be bear in mind that the American govern
mel lack of fire-shps and gun-ships Of both
kinds there bountfu quantities. Have that
ad Sultan. wish help put order the up-countries
Joff upd thc wofp 4 80 ka
possible, desire that all the Dlch be snnhilaed except
a few. In few days will take possession or this
pire Tor the Sultan
send salutaions and compliments Lord Sultan and
4 all his officers.
Signed lin Roman scripD WALTER WIN GIBSON
II Tin Arabic) WALTER ANAk GIBSON.
i lin Roman) Commandane schooner
i American Fr,
/ lin Arabic) Kommandsnti Skoonycr
II prang MeIkin Fhlt.
/ Di Pslembang. 4 Fsbrooary, 1852
| This letter was made the foundation OF proceedings
agains, Captain Gibson. and he arrested and thrown
into a dungeon Palembang. He al first notified
that he would be shot in hours. but by the inerpo-
silon Of the governors counsel the threat OF shooting
him was Withdrawn, and he was taken to Batavia. He
was tried and again upon the charge of treason but
invariably was acquitted. The last trial is thus de-
scribed
In February 1854 he again arrested upon
cusation drawn up by the solicitor, which covered
seventy pages oil ioooap and forth infinitely
all The circumstances OF Captain Gibson's soloun in the
country, and laying special stress The letter ho
charged with having written, and alleging, The strength
OF these that he had been guilty oiresson
nd that his movements dangerous TO the peace OF
Nethelland India. The trial ed the Iah of
February and lasted thirteen days For,yhree witnesses
examined consisting OF officers natives chiefs Nc
The Princess seherif Ali and Barksbs, who had been
com PEELED by the government attend and give their
iony gave evidence strongly in favor OF plain Gibson
whom they declared TO be innocent of all hostile intention
They both evnced the warmest friendship for him, and
the gratitude OF all Americans by their spirited
duct on bis behalf He aided by counscllos y
Apg Mees and Mr. Sandenborg Mattbiessen the latter
OF whom made argument in bis defence OF nine hours
length, and marked by eoquence and logical force The
case excited universal attention Throughout whole
Dutch territory, and hundreds OF persons lawyers, report
e and Others In attendance from long distances to
the proceedings and learn the result The trial end
ed February ~ and the pare. notified to attend
the 9Th Of March hear tho verdict The verdict In the
Dutch practice prses detailed history OF the whole
case setting forth all The facts proved well the udg
mcnt o the based pom them. In this II
Gu pied ls2 printed pages, and concluded by finding
there grounds which accuse Captain y. OF
treason, ordered him be acquitted and set at liberty, ad
Judged the government To pay the costs, directed his
vessel TO be restored and awarded him damages to the
amount OF 500 rupees day oil the time he had been
i'm .oned, the whole OF damages awarded reach
ing ss2 The belief his release and bis recovery OF
the money so general that Offers made him OF
| the OF making remittsnces 10 England /"
Notwithstanding tbis triumphant, result, Captain Glib
son was again arrested the day by vr,ss OF
warrant sssed by the resident governor, the charge
OF being pcrson whose presence dangerous 10 the
peace OF the county This sustained by the
supreme council, which has the power of revising al its
pleasure all decisions Of the court IN involving the
safety Of the State. Captain Gibson advised by his
counsel that the government had determined on his
euor and would order Tor the 25h OF April. He dc.
scribes bis escape as follows
Gle at once made arrangements with the captain Of
American clipper which hs opened TO be In port and with
her, who acted bis friends, whom II would DO pu
dent 10 name prcfen but whose kndnes. Capt Gibson
design, hereafter publicly acknowledge, for econg his
escape They procured dssuises for him, that day
while the prisoners at their meals hs passed the
guard Ie the prison In the dress Of servant, climbed
wall. he had pass, wsded the shallow ditch
by which the prison surrounded and by the aid Of
horses which had been provided Tor him. reached the
shore and got board the American clipper. At
o'clock the alarm of his given lights hoist
ed and the guard ship fired shot at the cppe ordering
her stop She by this time, however we'll under
way and firing repeatedly by way OF challenge ihe
Doch vessels csch her II they coald stood
Capt Gibson arrived at New York the goth OF July
We have given this sketch OF Capt Gbson's remarka-
BILE adventures only because OF the romantic cbarac
ter Of the accidents but because the said by the
New York papers TO be already before sovernne nj