The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-19
"a Case or Oppression.

eau schooner r, VINO appears to have been detained n
prison under Judicial process for some alleged violation
OF law in the Dutch East Indies BY the following doc
umens comprising. understand all the official infor-
nation received in relation TO the case appears that the
affair received the prompt attention OF the naval officers
OF the United States the East ndia station II would
appear. also, by the satenen, of Capt Gibson that he
remains in prison bounds OF his own choice. with
view 10 Investigation OF The antecedens Of his voyage
by the authorities of the United States
THE CASE OF CAPTAIN w. M. GIBSON. OF THE
AMERICAN SCHOONER FLIRT.
Under date of l4th May. 1852, Commodore Auliek
writes to the department follows
I" So as the ST. Mary's shall have refreshed her
crew, &c. shall direct her commander to touch at Ba
tavia for the purpose OF aordng such rebel as may be
in his power to unfortunate counryman OF ours,
Mr. w. NJ Gibson, who writes me from the prison OF
that place. that his vessel, the schooner Fltt, OF New
York has been seized by the Dutch authorities there,
and himself and thrown into prison. His conmuni
cation does not enable me TO understand clearly the
ure of his difficulties, and had been al liberty to leave
this place. should have gone myself to his assistance
Immediately receipt OF his letter"
Commander Magruder. on his arriv al in the ST. Ma
rys at Philadelphia the sh December, 1882 reports
as follows
"We were fortunate enough TO reach Batavia in safe
y the 7th July, alter tedious and haassng passage
of 81 days Having salued the authorities, and received
in like number OF guns, proceeded To wait
the governor general IN order to present my official
spects, and to lay before him the OF Mr.. w. M.
Gibson, captain and owner OF the American schooner
Flint, who, under charge OF exciting the Maiays OF
the district Of paeRG ban g the Island o. Samaa to
into prison with his crew early IN February. 1884, and
his vessel seized by the Dutch authorities of the island
of Java In the absence of the governor general
received in very cordial and friendly manner by Admit
raj Wonder Plat, and assured that the
would be happy to see at his palace in Binenzorg,
80 miles in the interior, and would send bis car
rage for many of my officers as might think proper
10 accompany me- The carriage was accordingly sent in
Of his st and as n
brought to his notice. was happy to find by The
plies of the governor that he disposed lay open TO
my investigation all the facts and circumstances
ed with the imprisonment of MIR. Gibson and his crew.
and the seizure OF his vessel but the having
ed into the hands of the Judicial authorities, he had
power to arrest proceedings: After patient invesiiga
ton of the documentary evidence (Which in obedience
to the order OF the was promptly laid before
me,) had several conferences with Mr. Gibson himself,
whom found in very comfortable quarters though in
/ prison bounds.
You will perceive that before the arrival of the St
Mary's at Batavia the crew OF the Fft had been dis
charged from prison, there being evidence against
them Mr. Gibson represented that the had suffered
from sickness during their usus Imprisonment, and
discharged without indemnity for their suierngs and long
confinement Any one within the domnions of the Dutch
in India is liable according 10 their code of laws) 10
seizure and imprisonment on suspicion and no redress
be obtained. The authorities OF the Netherlands in
India acknowledge no foreign consuls which must be
regarded grievance to those powers whose citizens
sort there for purposes of traffic; Citizens of the United
States. either Iesong temporarily 10 the Dutch posses.
sons trading voyages residing on shore, liable
at any time 10 be thrown into prison, and is al
lowed to speak officially in their behalf
say that the gentleman appointed consul
Batavia (Mr. Ready is complained OF by Mr.. Gibson
having preudiced the authorities and public mind in Bc-
tava against his 1t s alleged against Mr. Read that
he expressed the opinion publicly that he (Mr Gbson)
ought be hung and that he prejudced the and
proclaimed his condemnation without hearing II was
certainly the duty of Mr.. Read TO visit Mr.. Gibson and
hear his statements but appears that this not done
until repeatedly sent for and is TO this conduct the
part Of Mr. Read that Mr. Gibson attributes his con6ne-
ment in a oathsome dungeon for the first three days
after reaching Batavia Mr. Read was absent a visit
to the United States during the visit OF the ST. Mas
Batavia but the testimony OF several respectable Amer.
seemed TO confirm the truth of the allegations anst
him During the absence OF Mr. Read, Dutch gentle.
man by the name OF Cramerus acted as United States
consul, and rendered MIR. Gibson every service in his
power consistent with that caution necessary protect
himself against censue and punishment from Jealous
and suspicious government The tone OF public opinion
his favor before Departure and it believed by
good judges that. Notwithstanding the serious aspect OF
his case he would be acquitted have endeavored
do my best TO counlryman from his painful i'm.
psonment. but have found much difficulty in repairing
the serious injury which he had done TO his
unguarded confessions in writing, tending 10 cmnate
| himself.
US. SLooP .oF-wAR ST. MARYs
Batavia Roads, July H. 1852
SIR In obedience TO my instructions from Inc CON-
chief OF the naval forces OF the United States
in the China seas, | had the honor 10 solicit at your
palace at BInenzorg friendly conference regard
the seizure OF the American schooner "Ft," and the
imprisonment OF the captain, her mate and crew. the
the latter of whom had been discharged iron custody
(aiier Imprisonment OF four months before my
rival take this early opportunity tender 10 your ex-
ceency my acknowledgment for the prompt, lriendly
and open in which all the documentary evidence
and other papers laid open for my inspection and
through which have been able TO obtain all the nor-
nation full understanding OF the case
far as known up to the present time.
Your excellency is doubt fully aware that the gov
OF the United States would by no means desire
mpuny for any OF her citizens [enjoying the hospitality
who could wilfuy and desgDedy violate those laws !;
but after having read with attention the testimony bear
ing Immediately the in point and well derng
all the attending facts and circumstances have hes
itation in expressing my full conviction of the nno
cence OF Mr. w NJ Gibson, late commander and owner
of the American schooner Flrt of the high crimes al
legged against bim--for the folio wing reasons
lsi. Ii in evidence that the commander Of the Ft
had intention OF going to Palembapg, (wbere the diff
cultes occurred,) but bound 10 Singapore having
stopped at Mnlok in the straits OF Banca, for water
I'd. Il is in evidence that the Flrt small, unarmed
merchant schooner, with comm ander, mate, six men,
and boy, and induced by the persuasion of others
TO 20 10 Palembang
ID. II is susceptible OF proof that the mate, Charles NJ
Graham, was regularly discharged from the Frt and
longer considered part of her complement; that he
mind las his journal proves 10 seek his fortune in the
interior OF Sumara. IL appears the mate applied to Mr.,
Gibson for letter TO serve him as protection pass
port with the chiefs of the interior, and Mr. Gibson
agreed 10 him paper writing, stating that he had
been the OF his vessel and wished travel in the
interior A Malay, by the name OF Kiagai Slanan. was
requested to write the paper in the Malay language for
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