The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-10
Remarkable Adventures Of an American
in tho Eastern Archipelago.
A NARRATIVE OF HIS VOYAGE THERE.
WHAT HE SAW ON HIS WAY.
His Capture, outrageous Treatment, and
imprisonment by the Dutch.
HOSPITALITY OF THE NATIVES OF sUMATRA
ESCAPE FROM A DUTCH PRISON,
&C., &C.. 10.

world is overrun by explorers and we daily hear the
results OF their discoveries in the arctic regions in
the verna islands of the Pacific; in the interior Of
Africa, where torrid sun and burning sands offer
no barrier to their Investigations; away off, above
the reach OF human vision, Oh the SUBMITS OF noun
ta1ns covered with eternal SHOWS; in the profound
and suphurous abysses of terrific volcanoes in coli
tary seas, unknown before to commerce, that great
incentive to maritime expeditions. Who can calcu
late the results of these discoveries the destiny
The world, and more particularly on the destiny of
our own country, which has already done SO much
towards promoting them? Already have the islands
Of that great which bounds our western limits
begun to experience the benefits which generally re-
suit from commercial intercourse with our people and
the day prophecy is not far distant when not only
the ports Of Japan will be thrown open to the enter
prise OF our people, but the most intimate, and we
trust the most advantageous relations to both parties
will be established between cur government and cit
zens and the princes and governments of the whole
eastern archipelago. The Dutch and English have
long monopolzed the trade Of those islands; but
events which are at present transpiring will soon
change the aspect Of affairs in that quarter of the
world and American vessels must at no distant day,
share tue wealth with which those islands abound.
be realized, that the natives will not be treated as
they have been both by English and Dutch but that
our countrymen, in their intercourse with them, will
be governed by principles Of equity and fairness.
We have been led into this train Of remarks by an
account Of the remarkable adventures of Mr.. Glib
son, an American gentleman, who has just returned
from Sumatra, where he was imprisoned for nearly
two years by the Dutch authorities on the most un-
warranted groundess, and the result Of his trial
proved, on the most unsupportable charges of high
treason against the integrity of their government in
that island The whole history Of his escape from
prison and his previous adventures, is so replete
with interest that cannot resist the temptation of
giving it to readers he related it to us. The
importance of the circumstances and transactions in
which he played SO prominent a part cannot but
strike all who read this interesting narrative We
feel confident that it will attract the prompt at
tenton of our government to the matter, of which
he has such just cause Of complaint, and that some
means will be taken for the redress Of gross an
outrage upon the laws OF justice and hospitality In
this case the Dutch have acted in manner that
would disgrace even the japanese. But to our mar
rative.
Mr.. Gibson, in May, 1851, bought from the govern
ment the u. s. schooner Flirt, with the in
tention Of selling her to General Carera, of Guate
mala. He had previously some understanding with
the Chevalier Gomez, who, it may be remembered,
was shot in duel few months ago, and another
Spanish gentleman, in relation to the purchase of it
by General c.. but unfortunately, the movements Of
the ibusters here had excited the suspicious Of
authorities to such an extent that he found it i'm
possible to leave port with armed vessel and was
consequently compelled to abandon the attempt.
Failing in this, Mr.. Gibson next conceived the idea
Of taking her to Brazil, and selling her there Ac-
cOrdiBgly, loading her with ice, upon which he
might have realized eight dollars hundred,
had he arrived there in seasonable time, he
left for that country Before reaching his des.
tnaton, however, an unpleasant difficulty occurred
on board his vessel which forced him to put into the
Cape dc verd Islands. Previous to this he had oc-
cupied the position Of passenger but being deprived
by it OF bis captain, lie had to resume the command
of the vessel himself He then steered for the coast
Of Brazil, but not finding purchaser there for his
vessel, and none of the inducements which he had
hoped for towards establishing trade with the peo
ple he was compelled to turn his attention to other
quarters, and concluded on making short run up the
Amazon in the interest Of certain parties. Here he
was met again by another difficulty; for, as as
of by the Brizan war steamer Castalia. Soon after
he assisted Baltimore vessel, called the Ruth which
was wrecked off Cape ST. Rogue, on the Brazilian
coast. On approaching this vessel he found that it
hadSbeense nsentirely stripped and was surrounded by
wreckers who had even cut away her running gear
and standing rigging. At the same time the Flirt,
in nearing her, ran upon the same rock, and was
only after great difficulty got of. From this place
our adventurer sailed for the East Indies, after
touching at The coast of Brazil. His object in max
ing that his peint of destination was desire to
graty his curiosity regarding the character OF the
country its people, aud their manners, customs, &c.
Not being particularly pressed for time and desrous
Of seeing all that was 70 be seen his way, he de-
termiLed on stopping few days on the remarkable
island of Tristan d'Acunha the history Of which is
fulfSof the most romantic incidents.
This island is situated the south of the Cape of
Good Hope, and was first inhabited by Sergeant
Glass deserter, who deserted many years ago from
the Pandora British irigate which went aground
on come rocks on the coast. There he lived,
like Robinson Crusoc, for three years, sole
monarch Of all he surveyed and like him, living
upon the fruits with which the island abounded and
on me flesh of the wiG goats, OF which there ap-
pears to have been an immense number. AT the end
of three years solitary existence in his oceanb bound
domain, he determined on going to the Cape OF
Good Hope in quest Of a wife. He accordingly con-
structed stout boat, and. trusting himself to the
winds and waves, steered direct for the Cape which
he reached III safety after brief voyage. Here he
was so fortunate as to get companion with whom
he could share his island home rnd after performing
the required religious ceremonies ne left the Cape
and again trusting himself to the elements arrived
in good season at the i4and. In course OF time hs
family was enlarged by the addition Of seven daugh
ters, all OF whom are married, and according tc
tie latest accounts, living in a most envi
able state Of domestic happiness with theiI
husbands, who were formerly American whnlers
Mr.. Gibson says that their children, and
particularly the females, are among the
handscmest that he has seen in the course Of his ad