Washington sentinel., 1853-10-07
4atfst sgnteIliaente.
From the N Y. Herald.
TROUBLE AT THE CHINCHA ISLANDS.
MEETING OF AMERICAN SHIPMASTERS.

shipmasters calling upon him for certain explana
tons, Captain Enoch Burnham was chosen pre-
sident and Captain John Foster vice-president.
committee appointed 10 draw up a state
ment of the facts relating to the affair. The com
mittee so appointed proceeded 10 report as follows
That on the 10th of August, present, four men
belonging to the ship Defiance, being fishing near
the guard-shp as usual with them, were arrested
and taken on board of the guard-ship. The men
being absent until late hour, Capt McCerren
despatched his first officer in search Of them, and
he found them on board the guard-ship in irons.
The mate inquired the cause of their detention and
why they were put in irons, and was told by the
lieutenant that the men had killed pelican. He the
mate, asked what was the penalty, and was
answered fine of one dollar, which fine he ten
dered 10 the officer, stating TO him that he wanted
the on board, as the ship 10 be moved
early in the morning and requested their release
The officer positively refused and persisted in keep
ing the men roned and chained 10 the deck
After this Capt McCerren went on board the
guard-ship and offered to pay any fine, and demand
ed the men, which was again positively refused.
Capt. McCerren then demonstrated, and was in
consequence, surrounded by an 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 a boat for
him. requesting interview with him. Aiier
waiting short time the commandante came on
board, and an interview was requested in refer
encc TO the treatment of American seamen AT the
Chincha Isles, at the same time giving him to un-
derstand that the discussion should be conducted
in gentemanly and quiet manner; instead of
which, he ordered his soldiers under arms and,
without any intimaton, with fixed bayonets drove
the shipmasters over the side, and while they were
retreating 10 their boats Were crowded into the mar
row gangway, and there bayoneted and beat with
muskets, infctng wounds upon several of them,
some of which were very serious, viz Captains
Bcarse, Hallet, McCerren, Graves, Burnham, Ell
ery Stump, and Penhallow the order being given
10 the soldiers to murder them.
The foregoing report is by the committee re-
spectfuliy submitted.
(SigneD GEO w. HOOPER
CHRISTOPHER ELLERY,
p. W. PENHALLOW.
In view of the foregoing facts, We the under
signed American shipmasters, submitting them 10
your consideration, and presumlng that you will,
with us, think that the course pursued by the
commandante was brutal unnecessary, uncaed
for, and an insult TO the American flag feel obliged
TO call upon you the representative of the gov
ernment of the United States and earnestly re-
quest early redress for the present outrage and
protection for the future.
We beg leave TO call your attention 10 the large
amount of American shipping now al these islands,
and always liable 10 indignties from the overbear-
ing insolence of one man. who says he is absolute
Referring you to the committee appointed 10
wait upon you for further and minute particulars
we are sir very respectfully yours, &c.,
ENOCH BURNIIAM
and 80 other shipmasters
To the Hon. RANDOLPH CLAY
U. S. Minister 10 Peru, at Lima
Correspondence acih the american Minister.
CHINcuA ISLANDS, Sept 7, 1853.
Toahe Honorable ]. Randolph Clay, United States
Minister at Lima:
SIR We, the undersigned shipmasters at the
Chncha Islands, beg leave TO return you our
most sincere thanks for the kind attention with
ha,rn
for the decided measures which you have taken
TO redress grievances. We are, sir, most re-
spectfully, your obedient servants
Signed by all the American shipmasters al the
Chncha Islands.
CHtNcHA ISLANDS, Sspt. 9, 1853
Sir: The American shipmasters here, feeling
themselves under infinite obligations to Admiral
Moseley for his kind attention to their represen-
tons, and his promptness IN demanding for them
that proper respect be paid their flag by the au-
thorites at these islands, beg leave. through YOU
10 tender him their heartfelt thanks and also add
the assurance that we shall everretan sentiments
of the liveliest gratitude towards him. in the con
viction that at the side of our own banner floats
the British flag sure pledge of protection TO us
With much esteem. are sir very respect.
fully, your obedcnt servants
Signed by all the American shipmasters at the
Chncha Islands
To her Britannia Majcstys Charge dAfiaires
Lima.
LEGATION or THE UNITED STATES,
Lima, AugHa 26, 1853.
GENTLEMEN: | have received the communica-
tion signed by the shpmastcrs of the United States
that you were deputcd TO lay before me, contain
ing the particulars of the gross outrage recently
committed by the captain OF the port at the Chincha
Islands upon yourselves and other citizens of the
United States, on the 18th of this month.
The mere perusal OF your statement is sufficient
to excite the highest Indignation, and il would be
a matter OF surprise 10 me- considering the unpro-
voked and aggravating nature of the assault and
the wounds inflicted by the sodiery, that yon did
not punish the offender on the spot, were | not
aware of the proverbia love of order and respect
for the law which so distinguish our nation.
But, gentlemen. you thought and acted upon that
occasion with moderation and prudence in the high
course, and have demanded satisfaction through
the proper and legal channel, and, in doing so,
you will not be disappointed for the government
of the United States has never yet permitted, and
never will permit the persons the rights of its
citizens TO be outraged with impunity.
have laid your statement before the Peruvian
government, and il has promised that the captain
of the port shall be forthwith removed from the
command at the Chincha Islands, and brought
to trial to answer for his criminal conduct.
have exacted this, and shall that il is accom-
plished.
In returning to your vessels therefore. have
TO request that you will use your influence with
our fellow-citiZens at the Chinchas to calm the
Indignation and anger naturally excited by the
criminal and uniustifable conduct of the c#ptain
of the port-relying upon the will and ability OF
our government to protect and uphold their rights.
Thanking you for the confidence that yourselves
and the American shipmasters at the Chinchas
have placed in me public officer, have the
honor 10 be, gentlemen, your most obedient SER
want, j. RANDOLPH CLAY.
To Captains George w Hooper, Enock Burn.
ham, John Foster, Samuel Macoduck.
The Panama Star of September 2lst, says The
reason assigned for the Bolivia taking the place Of
the Bogota TO this port this trip, is that the latter
had been chartered by the United States Minister
at Lima to take the delegate 10 the Chincha Island
TO inquire into the difficulties existing there be
tween the Peruvian officers and American shir
captains.
The Wllkcsbarre Fugitive Slave Case.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. s. 1853
| The United States deputy Marshals, Crossin
lap hal S,,fa