The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-26
THE BELMONT AND GIBSON CORRESPONDENCE.
MARCY TO BELMONT.
IA G


WASHINGTON, August s. 1853
[Extract1
v;tad atter ynnr arrreI AZ The 1sgne the ease NJ
Walter NJ. Gibson, American citizen, who has for
time been held in duress by the Dutch authorities
at Batavia in the Island of Java charge Of having
attempted to excite the native chiefs of the Island of
Sumatra to throw of their allegiance to the Dutch &C.
vernment As more than year has already elapsed
since criminal prosecution was instituted against Mr.
Gibson for this alleged offence, and there is pros
the trial being speedily brought to close, conf
mon humanity would seem to dictate that this govern.
ment should interpose in his behalf, and either
the vexatous proceedings which been instituted
to termination IT. therefore there be no truth in the
newspaper report that Mr. Gibson has recently made his
report lacks official confrmation-you will lose no time
in making earnest demand, through the Dutch Minis
ter Of ioregn Affairs upon the government'of his Ma
trial or discharge Of Mr.. Gibson. W. l. MARCY
MR.. MARCY TO BELMONT.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 1858.
SlRYou win perceive by the ncosed copy Of papers
that Mr. Gibson whose case vas brought to your notice
in despatch from this department under the date of the
6tb umo has effected his escape and returned to New
York; and that he claims damages to the amount
of 500 600 from the Of the Netherlands for
injuries and losses sustained by him in consequence Of
alleged were instituted against him by the Dutch au-
thorites at Batavia, in the Island Of Java.
You will lose time in bringing this claim under the
consideration of the government Of the Netherlands
with expression Of confident expectation of this
government that if Mr. Gibsons representations of the
u,
fed against all loss and those who engaged in the
wrongful and oppressive proceedings against will be
treated with the severity their conduc, deserves ncv
MR.. BELMONT TO MR.. MARCY.
Us LEGATION At THE HAGUE Oct. IS, 1859.
You win perceive by my letter that in conformity
with your instructions not only pressed upon the con-
sderston Of this government the claim of Mr. Gibson,
and the punishment of the persons implicated in the
cruel and yexatious treatment he subjected to,
but that also directed especial attention Of the Minister
fha fat
in prison ut Java AUGUSTA BELMONT.
MR.. BELMONT TO NJ. VAN WALL.
u. S. LEGATION At THE HAGUE, Oct. II, 1855.
lency statement of the facts relating to Walter NJ
Gibson in the Dutch East Indies as they have been
furnished by that gentleman to the Of the
You win perceive by this document that Walter H.
Cibs'n, an American citizen and commander and
owner Of the American schooner the Firt arrested
by officer holding the commission of his Majesty the
hing q the Netherlands, in the Island Of Sumatra
me eth Of February 1852 on an alleged charge Of hiyh
treason, that the American flag on board was hauled
down. and she herself confscated Mr. Gibson WAS then
tran fered 10 Batavia, where he remained Ia prison
months, when, having reason from information which
fcscneo from outside, to apprehend still fate,
During that period he suffered reverses, hardships
ard cruel treatment being for long time confined in
jail with the lowest class Of native malefactors
whlcb ne was only changed to a somewhat more com
Portable room in the military prison OF wilterreden in
consequence Of the energetic remonstrances Of Captain
~ n"Ssvt, VI Inc american snip hamOier.
IL IS shown by Mr.. Gibson, that the whole proof upon
which the prosecution against him rested, and for
which he suffered for sixteen months the most guomi
NOUS imprisonment consisted in letter written In the
Malay language by the accomplice Of discharged ser
want Of his and which letter, well signature he
pronounced then, and pronounces ow to be forgery
Mr. Gibson has, by the confscation of his vessel ana
BY the long protracted imprisonment endured nndar
vexatous and hsrassing circumstances NOT onlv suw
tanned very heavy pccupiary losses but his hsat h
also been very much impaired and Weakened w
He claims now from the government Of the Nothar
lands damages to the amount OF 500 600 for inuras
ard losses sustained by him. and am Instructed ~ ths
o. the United States to bring the facts as
lated BY him. to your knowledge and his claim for IN
demnify to your particular consideration. "
AUGUSTA BELMONT
N. VAN WALL TO MR.. BELMONT.
c. a The HAGUE, JAN III, 1854
SIR can add hone 10 have n
soon an my power to reply to your despatch or Oct III
COO relative to the claim OF Mr. Walter Gibson and
20 convince you that he alone the author OF the evil
and that he is wrong in trying render the Netho
colonial authorities responsible for his losses.
VAN WALL.
MR.. BELMONT TO VAN WALL.
UsHTD STATES LEGATION, AT THE HAcur
January Is, 1854.
The further assurance con
ked IN your letter. that you will soon be able 10 replv