New-York tribune., 1868-03-02


zENs PRIsoNERs-THE VENEZUELAN GOVERN
MENT RESPONSIBLE.
Prom Our Special Correspondent
KINGSTON. Jamaica, Feb. &, 1868
1t is my duty to bring under your notice the
arrival OF the American whaling schooner Hannah Grant
commanded by Capt Albert II. Robbins She arrives In
distress demanding and protection from The
Consul OF the United States OF America She arrives
der very peculiar rcrcumstances-reportinS to your
respondent that attempt made TO her the
Venezuelan coast by Spanish Indians who armed to
the teeth that he had TO leave eight OF his (Amer
can citizensl and boat in the possession OF tho
pirates, he and his vessel having had a very mar
row escape. So far as 1 hayo been enabled to
gather from Bapt. Robbins. the Hannah Grant left
NewburypOrt, Mass on the 10th OF April, 1861 on
whaling voyage reached the North Atlantlr Ocean and
the eth Of November 1867 TO repensh her supply OF pro-
visions, &c, and proceeded to Dominica for additional
thence she went TO Sand Bay, Cape Ross the
south side Of Hayt She left Hay the 18th Of Janu
ary 1868 with the intention OF whaling of st. Lucia but
the weather and tide prevented the vessel making any
way and she altered her toward the Leeward
Islands and anchored at Point Arena on the west side OF
the Peninsula Of Parsquana Capt Robbins went ashore
Sunday the 26th OF January with the boats and
Indians The Captain went some little way up the coun
try and accompanied on his return 10 the shore by
shortest and best way ms boat On the 3st OF Janu
airy large number Of native spahards we're observed on
Sailing from this point the lat OF February with the
when about eight miles on the Cape EXPERIENCING adverse
winds she dropped her anchor At p M on the I'd lust
The captain aud boats OF seven men, going ashore
thus point. found themselves surrounded by an
armed force OF about thirty men, who. II T. suspected
intended TO take the captain and prisoners. and
tain, seeing the position Of Affairs submitted 10 the pro
pOston OF with only portion Of the boats crew.
and four armed natives In the place OF tie three Of his
men, whom he was compelled TO leave behind with
the promise 10 bring ms vessel H. Arriving
board the natives found greater number OF seamen aud
more formidable whaling Instruments than they ancl
pated aud dd not attempt any violence or further cOer
ciOn; but after inspecting the vessel ana being apar
emily satisfied with everything they departed In boat
with five OF tho schoOners crew. alter iruitess attempt
20 induce the captain 70 accompany them promising that
They left the vessel at aud reached the shore IN
half an hour ATOP. M finding that the entire party
armed attack in force during the night and, deemng
discretion the better part Of yaor, weighed anchor,
OF the boat the beach, with the American ensign half
mast They could men on sentry around the honso
guarding the II the captain had followed the
advice OF the ntuders the vessel would most assuredy
have gone the reefs but the captain thought II best to
Paraguana before rskng the loss Of the vessel 80
he set sa al p n Oh tne 3d dor G ~ be % baG Tg iS
intention OF capturing the vessel but as an the Dom9
lanees and sharpedged whaling craft were exhibited.
they evidently altered their determination. The names
First boat-Lews LaIkman tharpooner OF Ithaca New
YORK IN charge OF the boats crew James Mottram
OF the after hands, OF NewburyDort Mass; W. Fox OF
bermuda " hte mani forward hand Last boat-Chares
r. Fangrieve of Bridgeton, Me- after-hand The re-
mandeT were negroes who were shipped IN Dominica,
British subjects very likely, but sailing under American
protection Their names are "Bill" John Lewis, John
Stone and Peter Mark The boat had her whaling gear
attached TO her when she left the ship. The vessel
forced from the trade winds to put into Port Royal Tor
assistance Capt. Robbins has represented the crcum
stances American Consul at this port Aaron Gregg
esd who has taken the matter Ia hand.
Tie boat thai put of last had board Spaniard who
was known and called by the Others "COlonel" He was
armed the teeth aud had his hand on formidable
revolver but Capt. Robbins, although unarmed. looked
him fun in the face and determined TO throttle him.
and a possible wrest the revolver from his possession ana
XIII him with his ownWeapOn but the fellow attempted
nothing
The captain and officers among the finest American
gentlemen who ever visited the port The consists
OF 6 hands among them several coored and blAck
siY monhs This strange affair occurred In deserted
part OF the State OF Caracas I'm the Republic OF Venezue
Ia which will 10 for II 10 the Government OF
the United states OF America