The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-16
IA.prissnmsns OF an Amsssean In Now
Gannauo.


IH.prissansns OF an A~ssssan In Row
Caanaua.
STATS PRIsoN
CARrHA0EsA, June rs, 1858.
JAMIE @. BENNETT, ESQ. -
The liberty / now take in addressing you with
this, win not you hope the least dispIeasure
Some years have rolled over since had the pleasure
Of first meeting and becoming acquainted with YOU
ii was at the Franklin House, New York, either In
the years ls4l or ls42 last and since that tune
have travelled considerably through the world both
homo and foreign, in the United States Navy.
Lastly, ] made my residence at Panama, at which
place kept hotel. well known by the name Of the
New York Hotel, in the year 1850. sold the hotel
out and out and, TO better my position, as thought
| purchased number Of mules and run them be-
tween Panama aud Cruces. On the 18th September
Of the said year, 1850, was taken prisoner the
charge Of shooting q native, and was detained in
prison nearly one year. At the same time there
were some three or four Chilans and an American
confined in the same prison for robbing the train
the Isthmus, and, to make their escape they used
gone foul means-such az giving the guard sleep-
ing draught Of some kind. 30 as to effect their pur
poee, which caused his death at the same time
no no! knew the charge was confined for
shooting At the trial, was honorably acquitted on
that point but they, the authorities, said was con-
cerned in the pIotofthe prisoners making their escape
There witnesses for or against me on either
charge at the trial, from which cause received .
sentence Of ten years in the Carthagena prison, in
which place am now confined, and have been ever
since. As soon as Commodore McAulcy, Of the
United States frigate Savannah, heard Of my case
he Immediately came down to Panama, when the
American Consul told him not to be in any way
alarmed, as should be honorably acquitted. As
soon as the Commodore left received the sentence,
and thought / was unjustly dealt with. I made up
my mind to make my escape, and effected It on the
4th July, 1861, when embarked for San Francisco,
at which place I was kidnapped and sent back to
Panama. Knowing there Is no treaty between the
States and New Granada for any prisoner to he
taken, appeal to the public for redress Since
have been here In Carthagens, the American Con-
sui, Mr.. Sanchez, has done all in his power for me,
(knowing / am innocent,) with the Governor Of this
city. He also communicated with the American
Minister, Mr.. King, at Bogota, who said, in reply,
the United States, as he well knew there was no
treaty to detain me.
As an American, appeal TO the people, as there
are thousands Of citizens in New York who have
boarded at my hotel in Panama, who can testify as
to my character and respectabiity have also ad-
dressed the President of the United States, who,
hope and trust, will take my unhappy and untortu-
nate case into his favorable consideration and use
his utmost endeavolA my behalf
Sir, / bog leaSe to b. That honorably served my
country from the year 1888 to 1848, in the United
States Navy. My last cruise was in the Columbus,
seventy-four, Commodore Biddle In the East Indies
have one thing to add am not confined like
all prisoners arc; but must say, had been placed In
FOR robbing train, or such like, upon the Ithmus
/ should be more kindly treated. There have been
two individuals confined with me here for robbng
the train, and every means taken and effort made by
them to escape, which they effected; and wish to
show why prejudice is so against me in Panama,
by the citizens.
In the year 1850, when the mobs were, the life Of
one of our American citizens named Mr.. Summers,
of New York, was taken by tho natives; and other
Americans being missing from Panama at the time,
took an active part with the Americans to quell
the mob, and saved the life Of one Mr.. Turner, a
fellow. citizen, who was partner Of the American
Consult at the same time also gave up the hotel to
the American Consul guard house, for they were
greatly alarmed lest tho natives would rise that
night to take the lives Of more of our citizens, and
the natives threatened to revenge themselves on me
for taking 80 active part in behalf Of the Ameri
cans. For that reason they showed me no quarter on
my trial. Three different times the citizens Assem-.
bled together purposely to pull down the prison.
1t would have been so, only the American consul,
Mr.. McConrine, addressed them publicly, and told
them should be honorably acquitted.
Sir, what have declared and stated to you, l beg
of your kindness to have inserted in one Of the
columns Of your valuable paper, the HERALD, o.
am not only anxious to be liberated, for my own
sake but for the sake Of my family, who are solely
dependent upon my industry for their livelihood.
have now been prisoner fully three years, and
were not for the esteemed kindness of Mr. Sanchez
the American Consul here, really don't know
what should have done; and if oil the American
consuls were like him, Jfr. s., foreigners abroad
would have no need of troubling their own govern.
ment. beg to subscribe myself, sir, your most
obcdient, &C., WILLIAM G. HANCE.
p. S-Carthagena at the present is very un.
healthy.
Common Pleas Special Term.
Refnre Hon Judge Da1v