The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-12
CAPTAIN GibSOnss Ca sc,

Captain Gibson's Case.
A private letter of Gov Marcy addressed to gentle
man in New York. making inquiries to the character
OF Captain Gibson, appeared in several of the New York
city papers few days since. accompanied by
which deem il due TO the parties that should
ce Our readers will probably remember that we gave
weeks since, somewhat detailed narrative OF the
adventures and suferngs OF Captain Gibson whilst i'm
prisoned by the Dach authorities in Batavia We stated
that Captain Gibson here for the purpose of ensing
the attention OF government in obtaining damages
from the Dutch government for the ourages inflicted
upon him. The investigation OF the case was CON-
menced by Mr. Webster whilst Secretary Of State, bu,
suspended by his DEATH When Captain Gibson ap.
piled the present administration to have the nvestga
ton recommended. he was kindly received by the Pres
dent and Secretary of State, and every facility afforded
him at the State Department for preparing brief for the
Secretary from the OF documentary matter connected
with the This documentary evidence on file
in the State and Navy Departments and consisted Of
dispatches from Commissioner Marshall, Commodore
Aulick Captain Magruder. Consul Shaw OF Singapore,
and Camerus Of Batavia. Captain Gibson prepared his
brief and presented it to Secretary Marcy. The
was promptly examined, and. in accordance with the
wish OF the President. strong letter OF instructions
was made ou, and transmitted to our minister, MIR.
Belmont. stating that heavy damages would be demand
ed if the Datch government could not justify its long i'm
prisonmsn of Captain Gibson. and justify also the multi
cation of the Of his acqn,lal by its of JUS
ce At the time iha, all these prompt and energetic Of
fetal steps had been taken. which entirely salsfac
below, there appeared in some of The New York paper.
Mar >f
alleged lukewarmness in the of an American citizen
con,rasled with his zeal in the of unnaurszed
foreigner The private letter above advered to- which
improperly published, made the groundwork OF
the attack The origin OF Governor Marc,s private let
ter this after transmitting to Mr.. Belmont two let
tiers of instruction TO Captain Gibsons claims on the
Dutch government, letter was received at the State
Department, denounclng Captain Gibson, in general
terms, unworthy OF protection, &C.. and certain
referred 10 in support OF the denuncaiion Although
Secretary Marcy did not deem il necessary inquire in
10 Captain Gbsons previous life in order to find sui-
Gent warrant vindica,e his rights American Gill;
Ien yet, as much dela in addition 10 the documentary
evidence must come from Captain Gbson's own state.
men the Secretary deemed necessary institute some
inquiry as to his anecedens. 1t was in making this
inquiry, by addressing private letters the persons
named in the letter denouncng Captain Gibson that The
letter was written which has been made the subject OF
censure There may appear something Objectionable in
the tone OF Gov. Marcy's letter to Mr. Mctregor bat il
will be observed that in using the offensive language
which represents Capt Gibson totally unworthy"
&C. be only qSeng the language Of the letter which
duced him 10 institute the inquiry and was not adopting
it his language heetter, together with number
OF Others had been prepared fot his signature and without
scrutnizing the terms in which they were drawn be
signed without observing the Objectionable feature ad-
vsrted to above. II not meant to imply that Captain
Gbsons affected by the attacks upon his char.
acer but what truth there might be in those
attacks in view OF the facts before stated or course il
occurred to Secretary Marcy that. regards his
claim against the Dutch government. any mrcxu-
larity in Captain Gbsons private life could Justify
prsoning him but. much OF the detail on which
our government proceeding to assert his claim
depended on his own statements. il might become i'm
porant that those statements should appear to be made
by ono worthy Of credit We are unable TO see how
Capt Gibsons claim could be a, all invadasd or injured
by Of this transaction, how the former estimate
Of the government OF it should be altered and We
he has been received snd treated up this date
Ia the most kindly by the President and Secrea
ry OF State, upon whose minds unfavorable npres-
sions have been left by the unsupported allegations made
against him. The main facts Capt Gbsons citizen
ship the legality OF his voyage in the Flirt. and his
psonment BY the Dutch being voucbed for it remains to
be seen whether tina, Imprisonment be justified or not
II canno, be justified, will then be whether this
administration is true to its pledges or not.
WAsHISoros, ID. CD Oct III, 1853.
To The Editor Of As Union:
In consequence Of certain statements that appeared in
the public pfess that cacaated to convey the i'm
preston that the prosecution OF my case OF damages
against the Dutch government, had been neglected or in
properly attended TO by my own government called nj
The State Department the 7h instant, when had The
honor OF an interview with the Secretary OF State on
which occasion he read TO copies oil instructions
BY order OF the President at two different periods 10 Mr.
Belmont. chargt d'saarss a, the Hague from which