The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-09-24
A COMPANY roR THE suMATRA BoRNko
AND PAPUh TRADE--0APTA1N W. N.
0fBsON'S PROJECT.

Suine grrnt apparent misfortune is oftcn n
turning point in mans life, that launches him
into some new and distinguishing career. This
Is very markedly illustrated in the case Of Capt.
Watksr NJ. Gibson of whom we made mention
Yesterday i'm our columns. lie left our mn,iu-
tuns in early manhood, imbued with Lpdyurd's,
q Parks OF our own Stribling's spirit Of udven.
ture. lie ranged the world with no apparent
purpose, till after time, when in tho East In
dun sens his ranlblings were suddenly interrupt
cd. he was suspected by au inolerunt aud jenl-
people Of being political spy, was made
prisoner OF State, was subjected to heightened
imprisonment, ani harussng Governmental
prosecution, aud utter arbitrary condcn,na-
ton to al Infamous punishment, effected his
escape.
During a year and halls confinement in Il
Dutch dungeon i'll Java our adventurous buck
~'oodsman had time, the disposition, and ample
food for reflection. Hc noted the condition Of
the millions of people that fill the beautiful
islands Of the Eastern seas their fine character.
their civilization, their industry, their partial
suGjcction TO European control, their desire for
frrer commercial intercourse with other people.
and especially with Americans He observed
that by forced abour, the native petty States Of
Java delivered the excellent coff.e of the island
into the Dutch Government stores at remuncr-
alton Of not more than 81 cents per H., or 40 lbs.
to the dollar! for which coffee, by reason Of
double tonnage, and export duties, and other ex-
cessve imposts on American shipping, we have
TO pay to the Dutchnen from 5 to 20 cts. per
ID; or get not more than or lbs to the dol
lar. He observed that his countrymon had to
pay quadrupe, and in some articles teniold the
native charge for pepper, sugar. rattans, CALI
phor, cinnamon, nutmegs cloves, benzoin, und
other gums, drugs, and spices
lie observed that many of these great islands,
which produced nll these valuable commodities
were entirely independent; although their posi-
tion us sovereign States had not been recognized
by European powers he noted and ponerc OH
oil these things, and after his escape from prison
and return home, he set about the work Of call
ing the attention Of his government and country
Ellen to the facts that we have enumerated, and
suggested schemes and plans for the purpose of
advancing tho national interests in these rich
eastern lands.
We have all read OF, aud many Of us have cX-
perienced the dsheartening drawbacks that at
tend any new project, or REFORM especially with
governments, and more particularly with such a
political huckstcring ono as ours Capt Gibson
has spent four years i'll IL continued, prrtnacious,
importuning presentation of facts and evidences
and only Tow begins to convince our 'crcumlo-
cuton Office" and the shipping merchants of the
Union, of the justice, the importance. and thu
praclicability OF his schemes
A number Of New York and Southern Mcr-
chants have formed company; and are OH the
point OF despatchiny small fleet of clipper ships
frcighted with American products and munufac-
tares, for trade with the great, and independent
islands of Sumatra, Burneo and parua The
Secretary of the Navy has consented that Ia,
tional vessel shall proceed to the points about to
be visited by the companys ships; and thus cx-
tend The national protection Of the operations OF
the expedition.
Capt. Gibson commands the expedition and
is part owner Of the stock of the company. 1t
will be part Of his duties TO select, and report up
the eligibility of certain points for naval and
coaling stations for East India squadron, also
70 discuss and report projects Of treaties with
certain Independent native sovcreigns in the In
dian seas.
We say this much, and take interest in the
subject, as we regard the enterprise Identified
with Southern interest; and mainly carried out
by Southern men. Among the New York Stock
holders, well known and long resident mer-
chants of Alabama; portion of the Stockhold-
are citizens of Mobile and Montgomery and
then we are proud to say, the commander is u
South Carolinian,
Capt. G. is now route to visit several of our
Southern cities, with view to lay bcfore the
commercial bodies Of these several cities he MAY
visit, the plans snd objects of his enterprise prior
10 his departure for the East. lie contelnplatcs
sailing for Sumatra, some time in October mex,
or early in November. We wish him every sue
cess in his enterprise and we feel assured our
I':torial brethren will not fail to give promi.
ncnt voice and support TO this scheme projected
by Southern gentleman and destined for
Southern gool.-Caroiina Times.