Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23
CAPT. GIBSON'S CASE.

the Dutch Government manifests no disposition to
repair the injuries inflicted on Capt. GIBSON by
their Indian Batavian authorities 1t is stated that
the Governor General of Dutch India took an un-
fair advantage of certain papers of Capt GIBSON
which fell into his hands, but that Capt. G.. is un-
willing to initiate that example by availing himself
of the important documents which were by mistake
placed In his possession: he thinks his case strong
enough without any such resort. He supposed the
documents had been adyisedly transmitted to him,
and he made the disposition of them as mentioned.
PROM IEcHo uKIvERsEL, (rHE HAoUE,) AUGUST o. 1854
Some statements having appeared in certain journals
Dutch In relation to the soourn of the American Capt
Gibson In the Netherlands we believe is in our power
to complete or rather to recty those statements by
additional particulars, which ought be unquestoned
view of the source from whence they emanate 1t is
known that Mr. Gibson declared guilty of high trea-
by tribunal in Dutch India in consequence Of
tain relations with the Sultan Of Jambee prince of the
Island of Sumatra and condemned twelve years i'm
prisoDment.
During his preliminary incarceration land few days
previous to the time fixed for the carrying Of his
into execution he succeeded in escaping disguised
Dutch ofhcer; ship received him board and after
time he returned to his compatrots of South Carolina
The American press filled with the account of his adj
ventures and even meetings held to hear from his
own mouth some account Of his voyages in the Indian
Archipelago and from all parties there arose general
demand for redress Of his wrongs In the month Of
June last the Washington press promulgated some of the
particulars OF correspondence between the Federal
Government and that of the Netherlands and this
nouncement was accompanied in by report of
meeting that had taken place. Cat Pendleton s..
C> which, after listening with eager attention dis
course delivered BY Mr.. Gibson, voted unanimously a
series of resolutions strongly sustaining his reclamation
for damages through the General Government, and
pressing at the time the most energetic indgna
ton that shonor should have been upon the Anne
rican flag in the person of South Carolinian."
Four weeks had barely elapsed since the time of that
meeting when Capt Gibson arrived at the Hague spe
cia agent of his Government and bearing dispatches
from the Cabinet at Washington to the United States
Charge d. Atfaires. Mr. Belmont Immediately demanded
of this Government hundred thousand dollars 250000
forins to be paid to Mr. Gibson and, Furthermore, the
restitution of certain private articles, documents and
FORTH which had been voluntarily given up by the Ame
rican Captain to the authorities at Batavia Mr. Bel
mont laid additional stress upon his demand in view of
the fact that the judiciary Is not Independent in Neither
lands India the Government dismiss change the
judges at pleasures also, viewing the proceedings OF the
case, it evident that the Court at Batavia had been
strongly influenced BY the Executives and furthermore
that Mr. Gibson had constantly denied, and continues to
deny that he the author Of the document upon which
the charge against him founded, this document being
letter written in the high Malay and in Arabic charao
ters which Mr. Gibson airns not to have known at the
time Of the date Of the letter. did he order it to be
written. ....
This Government, through Mr. Van Hall, the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, opposed the demand for indemnity,
but expressed Willingness to restore the papers and
personal property OF Mr. Gibson lie received in conse
quence through the channel of the American Legation,
package Of papers, but instead of his private do
cumcnts, the package contained all the original pieces
connected with his case including the famous treason
able letter. upon which the charge founded also,
reports marked and confaena and addressed by
iGerant functonaries in the East to the chief author
ties at Batavia and some by the latter to the Home
Government. t... e.
1t appears that the Minister of the Colonies had sent to
his colleague of the Foreign Office the complete dosier
Of the affair." in order that he might fully inform himself
Of the matter as to combat the pretensons Of the Anne
rican Charge dAfares and that Mr. Van Hall had sent
oil by unaccountabie oversight all those documents
without opening the package which contained them. As
cognizant Of this foolish mistake haste made
to the important documents sent to Mr. Belmont
This gentleman stated that he had transmitted them to
Mr.. Gibson, who, his part asserts that they
longer his possession he having regarded their receipt
evidence Of the desire Of the Dutch Minister of
Foreign Affairs 10 render him justice and consequently
he Gibson) had sent them home to his Government, as
being ncontroverble evidence Of the justice Of his
claim and of the system of espionage TO which he had
been subjected in the East. ..@...-~ r. ,..' II"
Nevertheless, Mr. Belmont has transmitted the refusal
of Cabinet grant the indemnity to the knowledge
his Government, asking for further instructions, and
insisting upon being authorized to demand his passports
if our Government should persist in its refusal After
forwarding these dispatches the American Charge left
for France and it has been decided that during his alb
sencc Mr. Gibson should remain at Brussels or some
other city the continent. '.. ,E1
We confnc ourselves IS this simple statement of facts,
and abstain at present from any comment, for the same
which induced not to reveal what we have done
until the appearance of and incomplete YER
sions OF the matter. ..,.. s... &..' ....
We give below the translation of second article
pecng the case of Captain Gibson from the paper,
Echo Univert The article states some things which it
appears to US must be erroneous. Mr.. MANN, though
Assistant Secretary of State would hardly have any
right abroad to instruct Mr. BELMONT in his duties
Minister of the United States and apprehend that he
IS too crcumspec person to have attempted any thing
If the kind beyond perhaps requesting him to make
visit to Paris, if convenient, journey by railroad Of
ony few hours. The statement about two ships of Com.
PERRYs squadron is doubtless also error. We give
The article simply show the Importance attached to the
case OF present in Holland: .,...
FROM LEoHo UNIVERSAL (rHE HAaUE) OF AUGUST 80.
The affair of Capt Gibson, far from subsidng, appears
On the contrary have entered phase of serious
character This led to infer at least from recent
facts that have come knowledge and which, in the
state of the question do not believe that we
ought to withhold from the public.
The American Government would appear TO occupy it
self in an especial manner with the claim of Mr. Gibson
few days ago Mr. A. Dudley Mann, Assistant Score
tary of State Washington arrived at Paris and
about to proceed directly for the Hague; butt upon fur
Their reflection he has decided instead of coming himself
to send Geographic communication to Mr.. Belmont
questng him to proceed to France In order to receive
new Instructions. We furthermore assured that Mr.
Mann is not satisfied with the in whichNlr Bel
mont has managed the case and that he bames him for
not having observed explicitly the positive nstruc-
tions of the State Department that he should demand ga
full and speedy indemnity for the outrages committed by
the authorities Of Netherlands India"
That is the language are assured Of the American
which will not confne itself to words
order having been sent to the East Indies to the eff
feet that two Of the vessels of Conn., Perry squadron
shnff Inc To n