Richmond Enquirer

Charleston, December 17.

A most wicked and diabolical attempt was made to poison the passengers, officers and crew of the packet schooner Maria, Captain Latham, arrived on Sunday evening, from New-York. Providentially, however, though eight persons partook of the poisoned dish, but one fell a victim to its deleterious operation. This ill-fated young man, was Mr. John Benjamin, whose place of residence was, we understand, in North-Carolina. The poison, (supposed to be ARSENIC) was mixed with a dish of hash, for breakfast: and every person who tasted it, was almost immediately attacked with violent vomiting. As soon as discovered, every precaution was used to prevent its effect, by using castor oil, abstaining from water, &c. Mr. Benjamin died in 24 hours after eating the poisoned meat, it is supposed, from having indulged in the use of water. The other sufferers, (amongst whom was Captain Latham.) though they underwent great pain and suffering, have nearly recovered. This circumstance took place when the Maria had been about four days out from New-York.

Very little doubt is entertained that this atrocious act was committed by John Gibson, a free black man, cook of the vessel, to vent his resentment at having been censured for neglect of duty, just before leaving New-York. He was heard to utter some threats of this nature whilst there, and on the morning of the above catastrophe, he turned a boy out of the cabin house whilst making the fatal hash. The unhappy wretch pretended also to have eaten of the dish, and affected to vomit, but it was discovered by those around him, that it was all a sham. He was lodged in the Guard-House as soon as the vessel arrived, and has since been fully committed for trial

[City Gaz.