Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-12-29
FORCIBLE DETENTION OF THE NORTH.
ERN LIGHT
Action Of the U. S. authorities wiM reference
to the Nicaragua Adrentwers.

to the Nicaragua Adrenturers.
New York, Dec. "a.
Shortly after 2 o'clock this afternoon, the
U. S. Marshal received despatch from
Washington ordering the seizure and deten-
tion Of the steamship Northern Light, for
Nicaragua, and officers were sent on board to
detain her. The counsel of the Transit
Company declared that the vessel should sail
at the usual hour subsequently, however.
he and the captain OF the ship went to the
Office Of the U. 5. District Attorney to see
what arrangements could be made, but the
result of the interview il not known.
About o'clock the Northern Light got
under way, but she had not proceeded far be.
fore she was intercepted by revenue cutter,
which fired two guns across the bows of the
steamer and brought her to. Two other cut
ters afterwards proceeded to assist in STOP
ping the steamer. Between three and four
hundred young men were found on board,
whose appearance indicated that they were
Nicaraguan adventures. One Of them confess
sed that they were such, and had been enga-
ged by Parker II. French and others. When
the Northern Light left her dock she had on
board three United States officers, who had
been detailed to take her in charge.
The Northern Light returned to the city
about o'clock. The Revenue Cutter fred
blank cartridge first, to bring her to. with
out effect and then sent shot two or three
rods ahead Of her. The steamer then STOP
ped, and was compelled to return to her dock
where she now lies secured, and in charge ol
the U. 5. officers.
The New York Express Of last evening
has the following, in reference to the above
Soon after two o'clock to-day the U. S
Marshal received despatch from Washing
ton, ordering the seizure and detention O
the steamer getting ready to start.
The Marshal at that time. with several gen
tlemen went on board the Northern Light tc
make the seizure in the name of the govern
ment Of the U. 5. On arriving on the yes
sell they found about $50 young men on boart
most of them from Is to 25, and some o
them very poorly clad and destitute, aud will
every outward appearance that they were ad
venturers and not passengers.
The captain was not on board, and the off
GERS. under lead of Mr. Norton, informed tn,
chief engineer that the vessel must not b.
started.
In 20 minutes the captain came on boar,
with Custom House clearance, when he wa
informed by MIR. Philips that the vessel woul,
not be allowed to sail.
The officers of tho government then wen
into the captains office, where they presen
ted to the commander Of the steamer thei
warrant and authority from Washington
The captain declared that he knew nothin,
of the matter. The second ships officer dc
clared that such proceeding had been look
ed for all the morning, and that they wer
quite ready to have an examination.
Joseph l.. White, Esq, counsel for tn
Transit Co., declared that the vessel coul
not be detained under such a warrant, an,
that she would sail promptly to her hour.
Deputy Myers then informed Mr.. Whit
that they had not only had warrant to seiz
and detain the vessel, but to secure certai
articles on board.
Mr. White said that, under such state
facts, the vessel could not sail, and would b
} detained.
The Captain, with Mr. White, then pre-
ceeded to the Office of u S. District Alto
ney.
The greatest confusion followed the breal
ing up of this interview, on board the vesse
, in the midst of which one man was pushe
, from the dock into the river, but was rescue
with safety.
Both those on shore and those on the We
sci. (about six hundred,) seemed anxious
get the vessel off. Those on the docks con
, menced pulling the planks from the ship,
the midst of which there was q cry to cut Il
cables, and one OF them was cut.
Our reporter was informed by one Of Il
4 persons on board named Carol, and part
to the arrangement, that he, with other
numbering $50, had engaged on Friday nigl
last, with Mr. French and Messrs. Lloyd al
Hamerson, (Mr. l.. is a Nicaragua editor.)
! 20 on board the vessel this day at o'cloc
. Each one was then FRIDAY night Supple
with peculiar button, and to present it
:. one of the oflicels of the ship, after he was
the steamer, which officer would give them
. passenger ticket.
G THE button was common, round, pant
, looms buttonl Our informant declared th
;, he was going 'for the fun of the the thing
and that they were to receive S25 mont
e their board and $50 acres of land with
n good stock Of cattle, poultry, farm utens
Z &c. At the expiration of six months Il
:, the farm equipments were to belong to thel
The term Of enlistment agreed upon was {
r one year.
The products of the farm for the first S
o months were to be paid over to the Comp
!. ny.
Nearly all OF the enlisting party were fro
i the First Ward, and almost every one hi
!, his bottle of liquor.
: GEN. HARNEY WILLING TO FIGHr TUE SIol