The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-04
THE CASE or CAPTAIN GIBSON.


Mr. Orr said; Mr.. Speaker ask the unanimous consent
the House present the proceedings of two public meet
ng my district convened 10 give expression OF opinion on
the subject OF the recent outrage committed BY the Datoh
authorities in the East Indies the person and property oil
Captain Walter ~ Gibson late citizen OF South Carolina
He was seized island Java and thrown into prison at
Batavia upon pretenoe Of having been guilty of sedon
against the Dutch government in their Indian possessions
thrice tried for the offence and acquitted by their
dicia tribunals; but the governor dissatisfied with the
result OF these trials, and he fourth time tried by
chamber court where he not allowed to confront
his be represented by counsel lie convicted
and sentenced DEATH but day two before the sentence
was executed he succeeded in making his escape His
vessel the schooner Frt and its contents coniscaed
by the Dutch authorities and all the earnings Of his life sac
rifced Dutch injustice, intolerance and cupidty.
The meetings were held Pendeton and Anderson, and
composed of persons OF high character and intelligence
The persons composing the meetings acquaintance OF
Captain Gibson they had known him years and they
endorse his character his integrity and his worth They
ask this government to demand and enforce full reparaon
for this outrage upon the person Of of their eow-c
zens The resolutions at Pendeon draughtcd and pre-
sened my predecessor here Hon. r. f. Simpson, himself
preston Of opinion of Captain Gbson former neghbor
worth and the enormy of the outrage perpetrated
him.
Mr. presented the resolutions under the rules and
referred them to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Ifs impossible print these interesting proceedings
length in the Unionhe resolutions at both being nearly
similar The manner in which Captain Gibson was re-
ceived by his friends at home shows how highly he
was esteemed by those who knew him best and have
known him longest and how much confidence may be
placed in his statement Many Of the prominent and
distinguished citizens took part in these proceedings At
the meeting held Pendeton South Carolina the report
which copied from the Southern Rights Advocate
into the Charleston Daily Courier the following interest
ing proceedings took place The meeting Anderson
South Carolina, on the 10th of April was equally large
and respectable
1t due that this letter of imboded the
wishes and feelings of this entire community Many and
conflicting had been the relative to Captain Gbsons
unjust by the Netherlands India author
ties and almost miraculous escape from Of their hands, that
doubts had arisen in the minds of many of his old and init
mate neghbors and friends and they exceedingly
ous hear from his lips account of his extaord
nary travels and experience in the Dutch East Indies
The building where he delivered his discourse
qucny crowded with the beauty intelligence PendIe
ton
Captain Gibson, after stating that, while the neighbor
hood visit his children and friends he had been
pectedy invited deliver DISCOURSE rather
Of his late travels and adventures for the stated in
the letter Of invitation and that it afforded him much pleas
to be among old friends, and much to
have opportunity dpe any false improper impress
sons that had been made in reference to him and his late
pcrence the East then proceeded with his narrative and
for upwards of three hours he enchanted and delighted the
audience with most thrilling and eloquent account of his
travels the dangers to which he exposed the beauty and
fertility Of the which he visited and the oriental
extravaganza in which many Of the panyorangs princes
lived and then, with becoming modesty and pro
prety alluded the losses and injuries he had sustained
hands Of the Dutch in the East Indies
which he cautiously forbore speak in Of harshness
revenge stating that he had not yet made any publication
in relation them except TO lay the proofs of his grievances
before the Executive Of the United Sato for him to act in
the in his wisdom he might deem appropriated
and lately other OCCASION he had exhibited his
r.ous documentary proofs evidences his title ndem
nifty from the Of Holland TO ccrtas private In
dviduals among the audience before him, who had
quescd him do and formed themselves into committee
examine them which documents he then had in his pos
the inspection Of any who might desire 10
amino them for their fun and perfect understanding and
satisfaction.
At the close Of Captain Gibon address the Hon. R. f.
Simpson moved that the citizens present form themselves into
meeting for the purpose Of passing series Of resou
expressive OF the feelings and opinions Of the citizens Of
Pendeton many whom old friends and acquaintance
Capt Gibson which being agreed TO- Col John T. Sloan
called to the chair, and j. d. Wright, esq,
quested TO act as secretary
Hon. r. r. Simpson then offered the following preamble
and resolutions which were unanimously adopted without
discussion
Whereas we have listened with great interest recital
by former ncigbor Captain Walter NJ Gibson Of his
and sucrngH In the East Indies the evidence OF
which he has laid before enlightened BY these and his
convincing narrative, desire 10 give for the consideration
our counrymen the following condensed statement Of
facts, which fully corroborated by woauhcnticated
documents;
That in 1851 Captain Gibson became sole owner By pur
chase from Colonel james Gadsden United States min
lister Mexico, of the American schooner 'Frt,' duly
registered the port Charleston, and afterwards the
post % New yorfrom which latter place she set sail n
May, 1851, bound for port in tho empire of Brazil; Capt
Gibson intending 20 proceed thence Singapore, after
wards 70 San Francisco and from this latter port 10 return
10 New York.
That II the prosecution a. ad voyage he touched al sew
era points the coast Of Brazil and In the East Indian ac
peago receiving the Inequalities and courtesie Of the
American consu and public authorities Of the places which
he visited That he remained length of time visiting
several Islands within the great East India group with
observe their several for future
enterprise and while nan open and ayowcd in pur
crew. seized under color Of charge Of high treason by
the Dutch authorities Of Pslcmbang in Sumara and cast
into loathsome prison and at the time his vessel the
Frt taken possession Of and her American ensign in
sutingly torn from its staff In the presence OF many thou
sands Of assembled Sumatrans
That the Of Captain Gibson shortly after had been
brought Batavia, investigated by the Of justice
Of that place and this court declared by IL decision Of the
2i Of February, 1882 that he had been illegally arrested
aud issued order for his liberation which carried
effects but after lapse Of two days " enlargement he
protest the part Of the Attorney General % Netherlands
India That his again Investigated By the Of
justice Of Batavia which declared by tie decson Of the I'd Of
September 1852 that the charges against Captain Gibson
of the into udioaure and therefore agan
dered his liberation This decision Of the Of Justice Of
Batavia overred by the Saprome Council ~ Neither
lands India la U the protest of the Attorney
General and another nvestga ordered which result
ed IN another refusal BY said ~ justice OF Batavia
bring him 70 trial. appears By the decision Of sad court
Of Batavia bring Captain Gibson trial agan
ruled by the Supreme Council Of the Mcfarland India