The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-13
Negro InsurrectiOn on q Guano Island.
BALTIMORE VESSEL THREATKNED-wnD EXCITE
MENT
from the Baltimore Amer

From the Baltimore American, August 10
serious insurr ction OF the negroes at Sombrero Qua
no Island has caused little excitement among the
merchants and laring people interested the guano
business both in Baltimore and Petersburg, Virginia.
The excitement attained such pitch that Capt Bentha
OF the Baltimore bark Warren and Capt. Bnrnel, of the
schooner Emma rutte, Of New Haven Connecticut,
insurrectionss. The Emma futile arrived at Peters
burg, Virginia, Monday, with cargo OF guano and
her captain gives the following particulars Of the out
break, which We take from the Petersburg Express
The negroes employed on the island which is only
threefourths of mile long, all free, and hired
at the rate OF $l2 month TO dig guano and load the YES
Sells that come for It, They number 200. The foreman,
white man, had been on the island for long time and
desiring TO visit his home in New England thad the good
fortune about two months ago to meet with brother
Free Mason, named Snow, who had arrived from New
England in the schooner Eastern Star Of which he was
first mate. With him he made temporary change of
place, Snow taking the foremanshp Of the island and
the foreman taking the position Of first mate Of the East
orn Star Snow was man Of energy and determination,
and being long habituated TO the exercise Of rigorous
command on thpboard, did not change his system Of
discipline on the island The negroes, who were princi
paly English and Danish, and obtained from the
neghborng islands Of the West Indies belonging those
nations and consequently always hostile to Ameri
cans account Of the laers slavery proclvtes grew
dissatisfied with the management Of their new supern-
tendent and medtated every variety of revenge Only
four Of them, however, Set med TO have brought their
designs TO concerted measure and the oath OF July
one OF them was delegated to murder him, while the
others were near to see that was effectively done
They were engaged in loading on this day, and
the chosen murderer being on the top Of it, took ad
vantage Of the foreman he STOPPING the ground
u
head crushed his skull with the blow and left him for
dead the ground Considerable commotior followed
among the whites upon the discovery OF u tempted
murder and the negro who committed the deed i'm
metiaely arrested by Capt. Burnel, of the Emma Tute
and Capt. Benthal OF the bark Warren, Of Baltimore,
placed In irons and conveyed board the latter vessel
II was their determination TO take him into United
States port for trial.
The arrest created the widest excitement among the
negroes, who rose en- and took possession Of the
island. The white employees, who numbered only twelve
were compelled to submit TO the revolt but were un.
harmed, since they remained non-committa. being
much inundated TO attempt 10 suppress the rage Of
200 bali savage negroes and at the same time afraid
rnment was sure 70 follow from tn. United states an
thorites as soon as intelligence should have been
veyed to the nearest American port. The negroes
threatened TO sink the two vessels II their comrade
not given up, and when Captain Benthall attempted TO
TO shore from the Warren they coec ed OF the
wharf and stoned him until he forced take refuge
back upon his bark Captain Bu nell got ashore safely
but was met with savage demonstrations from the
gents, who were armed in their right hands with huge
clubs and In their left with heavy blocks Of guano He,
with difficulty made his way through Them and was COM
PEELED to surrender all the English money he had in his
possession to appease them sufficiently to admit of his
from their murderous clubs Getting safely into
the Office Of the AGENT Mr. Elliott who Is owner OF large
interest In the island, and Ia well known In this city, he
succeeded in making ready for his departure day
having already taxed his load for this city, Of return
ing unharmed 10 his vessel.
Mr.. Elliott expected In the OF few days Hfty
Irish hands from Richmond with many revolvers and
other instruments Of government and civilization
through means Of which he would be able TO subdue the
revoters and enectuay prevent further outrages
should be his good fortune to escape their fury until
that time.
The superintendent not dead when the futile le
on the 25tb but not expected TO live. There
physician on the island, and treatment he received
co aid either alleviate his suiierngs or insure hope for
his recovery.
TIE negroes had refused all offers demands TO return
to work but holding possession OF the island hav
ing fine time with the provisions and privileges Of the
place, with nobody to dairy 10 boo" TO the rst
Of them Tins they will doubtless insist upon continuing
until their comrads Ia given up taken by themselves
from the "Warren."