Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-27
Summary Action of Gen. summer.

Seizure of Dr. Gwin, Calhoun Benham and Senate
Brent, by Gen sumner. Attempted Arrest Of &c
sumner by the Authorities OF Panaua-The Prise
ers Transported Across the Isthmus under Qua
OF United States Troops.
Correspondence New York Times.
AsPNwALI, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1851. :
When the steamer Orizaba, from San FraP
els, cOnfor Panama had got we'll clear fro.
the wharf, Capt. Pearson first discovered th
he had three distinguished persons on boar
whose names were not on the passenger lii
viz: VIM. NJ. Gwin, late Senator of t
United States, Calhoun BeEham, Mr.. Buc
anan's Attorney General for California, 81
Mr.--Brent, late State Senator of Ca
fornia. All three being well known Sect
sionists, it was no marvel to the Captain :
find them his clandestine guests.
1t happened that Gen. Sumner, with 5
United State troops and 10000 riied MI
kets, was also on board the Orizaba. [
Gwin and his companions exhibited Htt'
uneasiness as the vessel approach Alcatrs5-
to receive salute, but from that time ungs
she was within two days from Panama
nothing further occurred to disturb tbs
equanimity. On the morning Of the &,
Gen. Sumner politely informed the trio Il.
they were his prisoners, he having good eV3
ence that they we're plotting against y
peace and safety of the United States
America. He at the same time signifed ;
them that they would not be placed un6-
close arrest, till the ship reached anchora,
in the Bay of Panama.
But Gen. Sumner did not proceed 10
what would have seemed to be the next nt
natural thing: to seize the papers Of
aforesaid individuals, but sat himself quiet
down and Lit his cigar. Upon this Mr.. Bre4
and Mr.. Benham went straight to their roon
and threw from their windows large pas
ages of papers and documents which
doubt would have been of more value to t,
Government than fifty such gentlemen
the distinguished prisoners. OF course. aft
the horse was stolen, the General locked t,
stable by placing seals upon the trunks
parcels, and taking the articles under
own charge. A carpet-bag was also SEP
floating astern, supposed to have been throL
from DR.. OWNS room.
The Orizaba reached her anchorage at Z,
mama at 81 A. NJ, yesterday morning, but t
tide being too far out to enable Capt. Pet
son, to land his musketS before night,
passengers were mostly kept on board.
ter breakfast, the news of the arrest baviI
reached the shore, Mr.. Ran E unels, of Tex
who has just vacated the office of Unit
States Consul at Chinandega, NicaragU.
!
United States Vice-Consul' at Panama.
piled to the authorities for the arrest of &c.
Sumner, charged with restraining the lib,
ty of DR.. Gwin. and with intent to torciB
carry him out of New Granada. in contem
of her sovereignty, and in violation Of b
territory.
The Governor Immediately Instituted
inquiry, and finding the facts to be as char
ed, issued orders to the Chief OF Police, al
to the commander of the military force,
prevent any such procedures. Fifty or six.
men were accordingly guarding the landin
place all day yesterday, while the GovernC
Gen. Herran, and the United States ConsI
were endeavoring to negotiate. Howeve
all diplomacy was futile, as Gen. Sunni
shut off further argument by declaring tn
he must take the prisoners across the Ithmr
and leave his Government to settle matte
of violated sovereignty, &c.
This morning at six O'Clock, the priSOne'
were landed under strong guard of Unit
States soldiers, and placed in the cars wit.
out any military resistance on the part
the Panama authorities, they having on
175 men in the place, while Gen. Sunni.
had 466, armed with MIME guns. The Go
ernor, however, strongly protested again
the action of Gen. Sumner, as well in viOls
ing the territory by the violent transport
ton of prisoners across it, as by landing e.
placing in war-like attitude armed men
the soil.
The doctor and his companions took pas
age only to Panama, from San Francisco.
is understood they intended to go from 4
pinwall to Havana ria St. Thomas in Il
hope of reaching New Orleans. 1t is ais
here that the United States Cons
at Panama protested against the action
Gen. Sumner. Another report says he a
sented cordially to the course pursued. Boz
can't be right.
The prisoners reached Aspinwall at J
o'clock this morning. On getting out fro
the train they were marched through clos
ranks of soldiers, drawn up on both sides
The track, preceded and followed by arme
men.