The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-08-10
NsURRECTION IN THE sOMBRERo GUANo

lNSURRECTI0N IN THE SOMBRERO GUAN0
ISLAND-A BALTIMORE VESSEL. THREAT
ENED.
serious insurrection of the negroes at Sombre-
ro Guano Island has caused no little excitement
among the merchants and sea- faring people inter-
ested IN the guano business, both in this city and
petersburg, Va. The excitement attained such a
pltch that Captain Birdsell, of the Baltimore
park Warren, and Captain Burnell, of the schooner
Emma 4"Hte, of New Haven, Conn, were compelled
10 interfere and imprison some of the insurrection
lists. The Emma Tatde arrived at Petersburg, Va,
ON MONDAY, with cargo of guano, and her Captain
gives the following account of the difficulties which
Is published in the Petersburg Express:
Inc negroes employed the Island, which is
only three-iourths of mile long, are all free and
are hlred at the rate of Sl2 month to dig guano
ana load the vessels that come for it.. They num-
Der 200. The foreman, n white man. had been on
the Island for long time, and desiring to visit his
nome, In New England, had the good fortune about
Two months ago to meet with brother Free Ma
son, named Snow, who had arrived from New Eng
land in the schooner Eastern Star, of which he was
hrst mate. With him he made temporary change
OF place, Snow taking the foremanship of the
Island, and the former taking the position of first
mate OF the Eastern Star. Snow was man of
energy and determination, and being long habitue
tea 10 the exercise of rigorous command on shin.
Doard, did not change his system of discipline on
English and Danish, and were obtained from ~
nelghboring islands of the West Indies beonpino
10 those nations, and were consequently alwavs
hostlle 10 Americans, on account Of the latter's
slavery procllvities, grew dissatisfied with thn
management of their new superintendent and med
ltated every variety of revenge. Only four or
them, however, seemed to have brought their de-
Signs to concerted measure, and on the oath of
July one OF them delegated to murder him
lively DONE ~ ~
They were engaged in loading car, on this
aay, ana the chosen murderer being on the top of
1t, TOOK advantage of the foreman as he was stoon
ing on the ground below. and hurled a tremendous
lump OF guano at his head, crushed his skulI with
the blow, and left him for dead on the ground
UIbGisslderaoie Dbisl commotion followed among the
whites upon the discovery of the ATTEMPTED mur
uer, ana the negro who committed the deed was
ImHineulately III arrested by Captaid Burnell of tbe
Emma IN futile, and Captain Birdsell of the bark
Warren, OF Baltimore, placed in irons and conyord
on board the latter vessel. 1t was tbair data.,i
nation to take him into United States mort fnr
trial. The arrest created the widest excitement
among the negroes, who rose nasae, and took
possession OF the island The white emplovpes
who numbered only twelve were comnelIed 10
submit to the revolt, but were unharmed since
tney remained non-committal, being too much in
undated to attempt to suppress the rage of 200
hali-saVage negroes, and at the same time afraid
to Join with them against the vessel knowing that
punishment was sure to follow from the United
states authorities as as intelligence shouId
nave peen conveyed TO the nearest American port,
Inc negroes threatened to sink the two vessels if
their comrade was not given up. and when Cap
tam Brisell attempted to return to shore from
the Warren they collected on the wharf and
stoned him until he was forced to take refuge back
upon his bark.
Captain Burnell got ashore safely, but was met
with savage demonstrations from the insurgents
who were armed in their right hands with huge
cluos, and In their left with heavy blocks of guano
lie, with difficulty, made his way through them
and was compelled to surrender all the English mo-
ney ne mad IN his possession to appease them sufI-
GENTLY to admit of his escape from their murderous
clubs. Getting safely into the office of the aren't
Mr. Elliott, who is owner of large interest in the
island, and is well known in this city, he succeeded
in making ready for his departure next day, having
already taken his load for this city, and of reurn
ing unharmed to his vessel. Mr.. Elliott expected
IN the course of few days fifty Irish hands from
Kchmond, with many revovers and other in
struments OF government and civilization through
means of which he would be able to subdue the re-
volters, and etfectuay prevent any further ont
RACES, should it be his good fortune to escape their
fury until that time. The superintendent was not
dead when the Tntte left, on the 25th but was NOT
expected to live. There was no physician on the
Island, and no treatment he received could either
alleviate his suferings insure hope for his re-
covery. The negroes had refused all offers or de-
mands to return to work, but holding possession of
the island, were having fine time with the prov-
sons and privileges of the place, with nobody to
dare to say "boo n to the first one of them This
they will doubtless insist upon continuing until
their comrade is given up, or taken by themselves
from the Wdrren.