The weekly union record., 1864-11-26
A Piratical Scheme.

Rebel co1Spirators have been plotting the
seizure Of steamships, and their treasure. be-
tween San Fraucisco and Panama, 70. the last
three years BE- the following from the Bul-
letin, it will be seen thst late attempt has
been made TO organize ond carry into execution
8 piratical expedition agsiast steamships on
their downward trip from San Francisco:
Our informant states that the United States
Consul General at Havana was advised, about
the first Of October, that party of from sixteen
10 twenty ueu, provided with the necessary
arms ard munitions, were on their wav 10 Pan
ana, bent upon the falflImeut of the long
cherished scheme for the seizure of the mali
steamers running between that port and San
Francisco. They we're said TO be under the
leadership Of Thomas A. Hogg, who held a
commission in the rebel navy. was on nav in its
service. and was provided with instructions
from s. R Mallory, the rebel Naval Secretary.
as to the mode OF carrying out his nefarious
plot and his proceedings thereafter He is
said 10 be q Baltimorean by birth. but has
resided latterly at New Orleans The party
was organized as follows: Master. Edward j
Norvelle, Of Mobile Purser, William Black.
OF New Orleans Midshipman, Edward Swain
of New Orleans; Masters Mate, Thoa as
Reynolds, of New Orleans Engineer, John
Smith alios Kiddle; Quartermasjers, Sullivan
St0ddart, - Higgins, and Robert LYONS.
The plan OF action was TO take passage on the
Guatemala, running between Panama ard Ger
tain Central American ports. Hogg was 10
go on board frsi. carrying q trunk filed with
the most innocent articles, and If il was not
searched and no suspicion was excited. his
confederates were to follow, carving 10 tier
trunks the arms and munitions with which thew
were provided. The Guatemala CONVEYS but
few passengers, and those mostly the simple
minded and uuSnspectiug natives of Central
America, who could be easily oyerpowered BY
an organized band Of desperadoes with Fevolvers
and knives. She carries two gus. which
would make her immediately available as a
prlvateer to depredate upon unarmed vessels :;
and this was doubtless the chief reason fer
selecting her. il was the intention to take
possession OF her when about 200 miles ont of
Panama. and then cruise in the Pacific, watch.
ing an opportunity to pounce upon and capture
one or more OF the California steamers on the
downward trip, meanwhile keeping a keen look
out 50 as to avoid United States cruisers.
The plan was well concealed. IIogg's ex.
ecutye officer was one Bradshaw, who is said
to have been former partner IN and com
mander OF the Guatemala. Some of the party
LETT Havana for Panama on or before October
lsi. and the remainder were to follow shurtlv
IN the British mail steamer, which touches al
Havana on her way from St. Thomps. Our
informant states that the United States Consul
General at Havana bad Informed the Consuls
on the lsihmGs Of all the details Of this bold
plot, ard that the latter Immediately took
every precaution possible to arrest the desper-
ADDE'S at Panama, before they could get on
board be Guatemala. When the Constitution
left Panama, on the 4th of November. the
would be pirates were all there, apparently not
expecting they were known The Salvador.
another steamer OF the line, running TO Central
American ports, was to sail on the 10th inst
before the Guatemala. and, nnless they cot
wind of the discovery Of their plot and ef, on
the Salvador, they now all captured and on
their way to New York ani Fort LAFAYETTE.
Our informant states further, that there were
rumoIs OF another plan to seize one of our
steamers running from San Francisco TO Port
land and Victoria, when on the down trip and
richly freighted with treasure. This rumOr
may have grown ont of something that has
possibly transpired concerning the plot to seize
the Guatemala. It IS quite prooabe that, had
Hogg's party succeeded in gaining possession
Of that steamer, they would not have coutiaed
their attentions to Panama boats, but would
have waylaid all the treasure carving steamers
an the co1St rOofCS