The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-15
CAPTAIN Gibson.

NJ a.rslza
commander OF the American schooner rill''
whose cruel and prolonged Imprisonment. %
tho Dutch authorities in the is'ana 81 'ass'
vas made known in this country so''o
.s,a,,,hs since. having escaped from his per
-. .s...ss. s,y;ved in New York a few days
80 - ue has made very interesting state
..sa,,. If the history of his captivity, which
has appeared in the New York Irsosns. u
i too long for our columns, but we VIII pre-
-. m a condensed form, the chief particu-
lars. A.
Captain G. sailed from New York on the
,a,b Nav. 1851, in the American schooner
Flirt-a vessel that had been armed with the
view of carrying military aid to Gen. Carrie
IA, then struggling to get possession OF the
government of Guatamala but the enterprise
having been abandoned by the withdrawal Of
one of the parties, he visited the Cape de
yerdes and Brazil, with the view of selling
his vessel Not succeeding he left for Singa-
more. He was driven, by stress of weather,
into Mintok, on the island of Banca, owned
nv the Dutch, where he was treated with
apparent kindness But Captain G. found
afterwards, that under pretence of hospitality
spy was kept upon him.
Capt CTS voyage to Singapore was delayed
by monsoons, and in the interval the Dutch
officers prevailed upon him to accompany
them to the Dutch fortress at Palembang. 1t
was represented that he would see the coun-
try and study its peculiarities; and suffer no
delay on this account in his voyage, as he
could return before the season would permit
him to sail While at Palembang he had
free intercourse with the natives, studied
their language, and was treated very kindly
by them, growing very much in their favor
and esteem His motive was simply, as he
says, the qualification of curiosity; but the
progress he made in the good graces of the
natives, excited the jealousy of the Dutch au-
thorities This feeling was strengthened,
perhaps, by the imprudent freedom with
which he conversed about the natural resour-
ces of the country, and the immense progress
it would make under better auspices-no
could do with such country. The Dutch
fancied he was on fillibustering expedition,
and this idea was strengthened by an inter
cepted letter, which he had caused to be pre-
pared, addressed to the Sultan of Jormbee
announcing his intention to make a voyage
with the Flirt up the Jambee river. This let
ter was in Arabic, and Capt. GIBSON affixed
his name without knowing its contents. This
epistle was regular illibustering letter-of-
fering freedom to the Malay people-repre-
senting the strength and power of the gov
eminent of the United States, &c. 1t says:
81 can help the Lord Sultan in all his desires, be-
cause the American Government has magnificent
quantities ofpowder shot, cannon and tetds, tbiun-
derbusses native weapons.) can help to improve
the condition of the Malay people, for have deep
dislike for all Dut chmen and desire that the Lord
Sultan make this known TO ali Malays"
And again:
Jambee and the up-countries of Paembang. II It be
possible, desire that all the Dutch be annhiated
except few. In few days will take possession of
this Empire for the Sultan"
This letter, of the contents of which the
Captain says he was ignorant-and entirely
different from what he dictated-settled his
hash. He was arrested, in spite of his pro-
testations concerning the letter, and confined
in the dungeon of Palenbang He was ar
rested at o'clock, and sentenced to be shot
at six, in the evening but the Governors
Council decided to remove him for trial to
Batavia, in the island of Java, for lmprison-
ment. He was first confined on board guard
ship. He had his trial in February, 1852, be-
fore the Judge Commissioners OF the local
courts composed largely of disaffected ma
tiyes, and they acquitted him. He was set at
liberty but in two days afterwards was
arrested, and the warrant for his re-arrest was
ratified by the Supreme Council OF Netherland
India. He was, for some months before his
second trial, confined in a room ten by thir
teen feet. On the 9Th of July he was removed
TO larger and better room, which he ascribes
to the arrival of the U. S. sloop-ofwar ST.
Mary, Capt. MAGRUDER He had an inter
view with Capt. MAGRUDER; and Capt NJ
corresponded with the resident Governor and
informed Capt. G.. that he might safely count
upon being liberated within fifteen days he
said, however, that in order to effect this libe-
ration it would be necessary for him to leave
with his ship, as the Dutch would be reluc-
tant to release him while war vessel was in
the harbor, as the act would seem to be die
tated by fear. Capt G. then wrote to Com
modore AuLIcK, who gave him the benefit of
his sympathies, but stated that his instruc-
tions forbade him leaving the Chinese seas.
The local court of Batavia held meeting
on the 25th August, and decreed that it was a
hardship and wrong that G. should be de-
tanned in prison. -Four of his companions
had died-two of them Americans, the others
Portuguese. Five Others remained and had
been set at liberty. His first officer Mr. Ora
HAM, had been arrested with him, when re-
arrested. HENRY JONES, his second officer,
and the cabin-boy, ANTONY, were ostensibly
Set at liberty. but were kept in prison as wit
nesses against g.
The Judges Of the local court were suner-
ceded, and Capt. G. was brought before a
commission Of new members, on the eod of
December, and this court acquitted him. and
he was again liberated.
IN February 1853, he was again arrested
nnder charge of treason, based upon the
circumstances of his sojourn in the country
and the letter to the Sultan. The tria, com.
menced ON the 14th February. and lastad "a