The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-06
THE TROUBLE AT THE CHINCHA ISLANDS.
Meeting of the American Shipmastors.
CORREsPoNDEScE WITH THE AMsICANR MINISTER
kEPARATlVN DEMANDED OF THE PERUVIAN 0e-
EREMENT.

American Sn1pmA0toID~
CORRESPONDENTS WITH THE AMsIcANR MINISTER
kEPARATluN DEMANDED OF THE PERUVIAN 0o-
EREMENT.
At meeting Of the American shpmasters at the Chin
cha Isles August l7th 1865 to consider the to BE-
pursued in relation the treatment experienced fromths
tommandante at the Chncha Isles upon the occasion Il
the American shipmasters calling upon him for certain
explanations Captain Enoch Burnham chosen prcsi-
dent, and Capt. John Foster vice president.
committee was appointed to draw up statement of
the facts relating to the affair. The Committee ap-
pointed proceeded to report as follows -
That on the 10th OF August, present. four belong
ing to the ship Defiance being fishing the guardship,
usual with them arrested and taken board of
the guardship. The being absent until late hour.
Capt. Mctenen despatched his first officer in search of
them and he found them on board of the guardshp in
irons The mate inquired the Of their detenion,
and why they wo,e put in irons, and told by the
Lieutenant that the men had killed pelican. He, the
mate asked what was the penalty, anu answered
fine Of dollar which fine he rendered to the officer.
stating TO him that he wanted the board the
ship be moved early in the morning. and requested
THEN release The officer positively refused and persist
ed in keeping the roned and chained to the deck.
After this Capt McCerren went board the guardship
and offered 20 pay any fine, and demanded the men, which
again positively refused. Capt McCerrcn then
monstiaed and was in consequence surrounded BY sn
armed force and sent under guard on board his ship.
On the following day the American shpmasters called
quietly upon the Commandante, and finding him absent
from the ship despatched boat for him. requesting
interview with him. After waiting short time the Com
niandante on board and interview requested
in reference to the American seamen at the
thincha Isles, at the time giving him to understand
that the discussion should be conducted in gentlemanly
and quiet manner instead of which, he ordered his sol
diers under arms and without any ntimaton with Rxed
ayonets. drove the hpmasters the side aud while
they retreang their boats crowded into the
gangway and there bayoneed and beat with mus
kets, incting wounds upon several of them, some Of
which very serious, vizCapts Bearse, Halett, Nc
Cerren Graves Burnham Elery, stump, and Penhallow
the order being given to the soldiers to murder them.
The foregoing report is BY the committee respectfully
submitted (signed) GEO w. HOOPER,
CHRISTOPHER EILERY,
=. w. PENHAILOW.
In view of the foregoing facts, we the undersigned
American shipmasters submitting them your consider
ation and presuming that you WILL with think that
the pursued by the Commandante brutal
necessary uncalled and insult to the American
flag feel obliged to call upon you the representative Of
the government of the United States, and earnestly
quest early redress for the present outrage and protection
for the future.
We beg to call your attention to the large amount
of American shipping at these islands, and always
liable ndgnites from the overbearing insoence Of
man. who says he is absolute
Referring you the committee appointed to wait upon
you for further and minute particulars, we are sir