The Shasta courier., 1865-01-07
Another Piratical Expedition Nipped In
the Bud--How it was done.


For some time past the Government au.
| thorities at this place have had reason to be-
lieve that piratical expedition to prey upon
| the commerce of the Pacific was in contem
plation, and accordingly measures were ta-
| ken for the discovery and Illustration of the
suspected plot. Michael Hayes, of Hayes
Park, was suspected to be a leading spirit in
| the enterprise and watch was set on his
movements, which resulted in his arrest on
Saturday, together with the accumulation of
I overwhelming proofs Of his guilt. W. r.
Robertson. formerly book keeper for L. W
Park in Mariposa, and more lately clerk i'll
the Custom House, and one Finley, (both
| sound Union men, were the principal agen S
| IN bringing the guilty party or parties to jus
tice. 1t seems that Robertson has for long
time been acting as a Government spy, at
the same time tIiat he was believed by GER
tain enemies to the Government to be sound
on the secesh question, wherefore he was ad
mitted by them to all their secret councils,
and to Il knowledge Of their piratcal designs
They supposed they had a staunch friend III
him, and he, to keep up appearances and
carry out the object In view. pretended to
give them contraband Information of the mi
nor workings Of the Custom House and Gov
ernment affairs, until he had their full conf
dence. Finley had played a like game with
them, and il was TO him that Hayes first
made the lr position for fitting out the expe-
dtion. Finley objected cn account of the
risk incurred, when Hayes produced letters
of marque from JEFF. Davis, which Finley
examined and found correct, when he con-
sented to join. Robertson was then inform
ed of the plan, and asked to join them. But
he appeared reluctant, and after having dis
cussed the subject several times, il meeting
was arranged at Hayes Park, on Saturday
about noon. Robertson, in the mean time
had conferred with the military autho rites,
and Major Van Voast and Lieut. Judkns
were close at hand in hack, while Lieut.
Waller, with a detachment of nine OF the
Provost Guard, were carelessly hanging
about, y and attracting no attention. 1t was
agreed between them that upon Robertson
raising his right hand and grasping the lapel
of his coat at the collar, that the Provost
Guard should rush in and take the three par
ties prisoners. Robertson and Finley to be
arrested with Hayes to disarm the latter's
suspicion. Hayes, Robertson and Finley
met at the Pavilion. A game of billiards
was proposed, during which Hayes proposed
that Robertson should purchase the schooner
Colon of n Lord & Co., give his notes and
part cash for the vessel, Robertson to be Sc
cured in his purchase by a certificate OF de
posit for 81, 100 which Hayes had and which
was found on his person when arrested. The
Colon was to be armed with one gun and
they were to equip her and smuggle out, with
the assistance of Robertson, who was to
manage the affair at the Custom House, and
having got outside, were to seize Il larger YES
sci, transfer their armament to her and
eventually take one Of the ocean teamships
with which they could sweep the Pacific of
its commerce, and enrich themselves in fabu-
lous amounts. The latter pretended to de-
cline, alleging that if they were caught their
necks would pay the forfeit of their indscre
lion. He did not wish to enter into the thing
until he was sure of his premises. Hayes
replied that he had the necessary letters of
marque from JEFF, Davis, which, If they were
caught, would insure them treatmen; as pris-
oners of war. g Let me see tlIem" said
Robertson. HAYES replied that they would
he out on the next train, in about twenty
minutes. All right" replied Robertson,
Il will wait, and he leaned up against the
bar with his elbow on the counter. bat un
fortunately thought!es sly took hold of the front
of his coat, though at point lower down
than the place intended for the signal. This
movement, however, was mistaken for the
signal aSrS eu upon, ana the Provost Guaru
rushed in and seized them. Hayes was ta-
ken into town in the carriage and driv. to
the Provost Guard head quarters. where an
examination was held before Gen. Mcdowell,
and the three sent over to Alcatraz Island -
1t was exceedingly unfortunate that the sig
nal WAS Mistaken or otherwise the original
document might have been taken with the
prisoner, which whould have furnished ad.
dltional proof. Hayes is an old resident of
this city, has always been a man of strong
Southern symyath ana secesh prociv;tes,
and during the late Presidential campaign
was the President Of the Hayes Park Broom
Rangers, and always acted as Marshal in
their professions. 1t is thought there is suf-
iicient proof to convict hi i Of the crime OF
conspiracy to fit ont a piratical expedition
within the waters Of the United States and
if he is convicted in the hands of the military
authorities, his punishment will be deatl-
Bulletin.