The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-10
stars and stripes were displayed in this part of


Although this was done purely out Of compliment
to Mr.. Gibson, it was considered by the Dutch
mortal offence Upon arriving on board the Flrt,
Commander Nicolson, with twelve marines, came to
arrest him. but Mr.. G. refusing to- &C company unless
he produced his warrant, he had to abandon the
attempt for this time. Mr.. G. threatened to shoot
him ifhe persisted, and demanded to know upon
what he based his authority. He remained several
hours afterwards ON board his own vessel,
satisfied that he had given no cause for
the charges which had been made against
him. He addressed note to the resident Gov
ernor, to know what there had been in his Ian
guage or his manner to warrant such a proceeding.
At four o'clock in the afternoon Of that day, which
was March 5, 1852 the Assistant Governor of Pa
lembang came with warrant to arrest him. followed
by Ncolson, who was attended by no less than
ffty-two Of his marines. When Nicolson came on
deck he appeared to have no control over his
feelings, but cried out in wretched English
Haul down your flag, you damn Yankee in
surrectionaire" To this Mr.. Gibson replied that
he was accustomed to give orders to eutenants and
not to receive them This cut Nicolson to the quick
for although commander of vessel, he really held
the rank of mere lieutenant. Then turning to the
civil magistrate, Mr.. G. said, " Mr. Storm" speaking
in French, in which the conversation was conducted
" if you have anything to say to me, will answer
you." Upon which Nicolson drew his sword, and
advancing towards him (Mr. G) said, in as bad Eng
lsh as he had used before, &" You dam Yankee Gu
ban thief! | will make you speak to me.'
The magistrate now stepped between them, aud
requested the lieutenant" to stand back, where
upon MIR. Gibson sat down on the companion, and
afterwards, at the earnest solicitation Of the mags
trate, went into his cabin. Before he left however,
he said he would say nothing and hear nothing, till
that drunken lieutenant left the deck Of his
vessel. After this difficulty, the magistrate told
him. with great suavity Of manner, that he was
sorry he had to request his attendance at the fort as
prisoner, in consequence Of a letter which had
been sent to the Sultan which contained language
inimical to the Dutch government. Mr.. Gibson ex-
pressed his surprise, but hoped that he would be
allowed an opportunity of explaining the matter.
During this conversation, Nicoson was engaged in
pulling down the American flag, which he tore off
the pole, finding it nailed thereto, and flung it into
the water in the view of thousands of the assembled
natives. Not content with this, however, when
Mr.. Gibson stepped from the cabin he tore of the
brass eagle which stood over the door, and threw it
up into the air in the most contemptucus manner,
exclaiming in French, "This is the way we will sink
you id Yankees. "sMr. Gibson went ashore, having
been deprived Of an opportunity of making an ex-
PLANTATION to the Governor, and was at once thrown
into cell in the fort. The resident Governor then
called upon him; but he refused to have anything
to say to him except in the presence of some
of the authorities of our own government
Nicolson was most clamorous to have him shot that
afternoon, and in his rage actually tore of his
epauletes, threatening to throw up his commission.
After remaining some days in this prison, in an
apartment which had been appropriated to the sick
of the fort, he was put on board the war vessel
Ardjoeno, and sent to Batavia where he was trans
ferred to the guard ship Boreas, in which he re.
NAMED in close confinement, with two armed senti-
nels at his door. For some length of time he was
refused communication with any person except those
who were placed over him. Every day of his CON
finement he was compelled to appear before COM
mission OF judges, appointed to investigate the
preliminary circumstances upon which they were to
base their charge against him. But after lapse of
time, having meanwhile been refused the aid Of
counsel, or any peron to consult with, they allowed
him to have an interview with Mr.. Reed acting
American agent there but it is well known that
consuls not recognized by the Dutch; therefore
lie could not exercise any official interference in be-
half Of Mr.. Gibson. The charge which Mr. G. makes
against him, however, is Of serious character-fol
it appears that he absolutely prejudiced his case
by talking of him in unjustifabe manner. He sale
that he had heard reports Of Mr. Gibson having beer
engaged in selling arms, committing acts of piracy
and other crimes On the trial at Batavia, mis- Ian
guage was afterwards recalled and used to the ser
ous injury of Mr. Gibson. It is also alleged that he
.lJ JVa boy foo Of fba.a Iufio
fanatics in America-hang him. This, Mr.. Gibson
informs US, was repeated to many of the principal
citizens of Batavia, and greatly aggravated the
charges against him. When Captain Magruder, of
the st. Mays, came to inquire about it, Of the
first remarks made to him by the authorities OF
Batavia was, "Why, his ow countrymen said that
he should be hung and if we had done So we
would have been supported by the concurrence oi
the only American representative here"
After an interview with Mr.. Gibson, Mr. Reed ex
pressed his for his rash and precptate
but this regret could not prevent the mischief which
had already been done by his imprudence. On the
subsequent trial Of the case the legal court of justice
in Batavia declared, on the twenty fifth of February
there was not sufficient foundation to warrant the
charge Of high treason against him, and ordered
him to be set at liberty
Mr.. Gibson was thcreupon discharged, and en-
joyed his liberty during two whole days. but, when
he was preparing to start, the Governor Genera
gave directions to the Attorney General to have him
re.arrested On this occasion he was thrown into
the worst cell Of the Batavian prison, called the
Stadsboci. Such was the horrible condition of this
cell, that the captain Of the American ship
Rambler, hearing the condition Of Capt. Gibson,
went about one o'clock in the morning and reused
up the Attorney General, telling him that he would
rot leave him till better provision was made for the
prisoner This energetic conduct was attended with
the desired result, for Mr.. Gibson was Immediately
after removed to the Welteueden prison-a healthier
location. In this prison he remained about five
months. In order to explain the cause of the pro-
tracted legal proceedings, it is necessary 90 make
DEPRESSION here 1t is singular fact, that all the
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