Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-05
A PiraticaI scheme Frustrated.

NEW YORK, Dec. "A Panama letter of
the 10Th, received to-day per the North
Star, has the following important news:
There was much excitement in Panama
the past week by the following incidents:
On the 25th of October the American Con-
sui in Panama received dispatch from
Consul Shufeldt, at Havana, stating that
the same steamer bringing the dispatch
would also take to Aspinwall party
of rebel pirates intending to seize
the steamer Guatemala. The agent
of the Company was notified of the
plot and sent the Guatemala to sea before
the arrival of the pirates across the 18th
mus; consequently they were obliged to re-
main in Panama till the 10th of November,
the day of sailing of the next steamer. the
Salvador. Mean time further information
was obtained and plan for the capture of
the whole gang was maturCd. Whilst wait
ing, the rebels purchased 800 pounds of
powder, put it in tin cans and shipped it Oh
the same steamer they intended to take pass
age. On the 10th, the passengers embarked
on the Salvador as usual, with their baggage.
Immediately on going on board they were
taken into the main saloon, oStensibly to
have their tickets examined. Previously
to this all windows, state rooms and doors
had been closed in order that no Opportuni-
ty could be presented for skedaddling or for
hiding papers, etc. AS soon as they were
collected preconcerted signal was made,
when Commander Davenport, of the
United States frigate Lancaster, sprang
on board with several full armed boats
crews, and announced to the astonished
passengers that he had taken possession of
the steamer. Sufficientevidence was at once
discovered proving the reality of the plot.
The Salvador was taken to sea over three
marine miles, accompanied by the Lancas-
ter.
Papers revealing the whole affair, in
from the rebel Secretary of the
Navy Mallory, small arms of ali kinds,
&C., were found in possession of
the pirates, who were then transferred to
the Lancaster and the Salvador proceeded
on her voyage.
The Lancaster returned to Panama with
the prisoners. Before reaching Panama the
leader of the pirates made full confession.
The names of the prisoners are: L. +.
Hogg, of Baltimore, Captain; L. A. Swain,
executive officer; j. S. Black, paymaster;
r. B. Lyon, sailing master; John Hiddle,
chief engineer; L. j. Grady, assistant engin-
eer; and Joseph Higgins, paymaster's
clerk. Hogg was recently captured in
the Tristrom Shandy, while running the
blockade OIL Wilmington. His instruc-
a rebel commission and sailed from Will
mington for Havana, where he made up his
gang. They have confederates all along
the coast, who were to join them. Hogg's
instructions were to get possession of the
steamer to capture California steamer
with its treasure, and if not able to get the
treasure across the isthmus to deposit 1t
with reliable Mnglish house in Valparaiso,
Dr. send it to Europe by French man-of-
war.
: The steamer Guatemala, which arrived
back at Panama on the 10Th, reports seeing
many suspicious looking persons anxiously
waiting the arrival of the same steamer at
La Libertad and Adjultico, undoubted by
.ccomplices of the pirates. These latter had
,ame across the country via Omoa from Ha-
'ana. They have probably been arrested
ire this, as the government of San Saliva
lor has been notified that they were pirates.
On the 18th, Admiral Pearson, COM
the American squadron in the
Pacific, accompanied by Consul Mckee, of
Panama, and Consul Rice of Aspinwall,
waited on the President of Grenada in
Panama, to ask permission to pass the
prisoners across the Isthmus in order to
end them to New York. The President
'cfused permission on the ground that he
S not empowered to do so, but it is pre-
umed they will be taken on the RESPONSE
,ility of the American officials.