The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-30 00:00:00

(Signed) "' 0. WILLIAMSON, United States Minister.'

" To which I replied that delay would be very detrimental
to the company and passengers, and requested permission for
Immediate departure, and that in the event of re-
ceiving no reply I should consider myself at liberty to
depart after the expiration of 24 hours. At 10 am the
United States' Consular Agent, accompanied by Mr. Magee
and Mr. Moncriette, the company's agent, came on board.
After a conference with these gentlemen, they advised me
as the detention was wholly ordered for the safety of Mr.
Magee and the foreign residents, and as the clanger had
passed away, to resume my voyage. In accordance with
this advice, which these gentlemen—viz. Mr. Magee and Mr.
Moncriette— handed me in writing, 1 ch:termined to sail. I
wen.° to the United States' Minister that as the object for
which I was detained had been accomplished, and I had
been advised to depart, I had concluded not to wait his
reply to my telegram, but to depart at once. I therefore
sailed at a quarter to 1 p.m."

•
The New York Herald also contains the following
details :-
- The only known cause, aside from a strong personal dis-
like, for the arrest of Magee, was a failure to appear on the
Mnella before the commandant when summoned, on the
ground that an injured foot made walking extremely
painful An armed guard was then sent to bring
Mm dead or alive, lie was placed on a car, being
unable to walk, and brought to the Muella. On
arrival there, the commandant attempted to shoot him,
but was prevented by the intercession of friends. He,
leowever, struck bins in the face with the butt of his
pistfil, also several times with Ids fists, using the vilest
epithets known to the Spanish tongue. lie then ordered him
into confinement, and preparation to be made for administer-
ing 400 paloa or lashes. Mr. Magee, as her Britannic
Majesty's Vice-I 'onsul, invoked the protection of his fiag,
but without effect. Mr. James, the emisular agent of the
United States then prepared a protest in the name of his
Government, and under the consular seal, protesting
against the proceeding, and at four o'clock, just as Mr.
Magee was about to receive the lashes, he formally
presented it, lint the Commandant refused to receive
it and announced that he would not only flog Mx. Magee,
but would shoot him at eight o'clock the following day,
and that he would then serve the representative of the
United States and every foreigner ill like manner. At
this point the surgeon of the port begged that the com-
mandant would reconsider the matter, as four hundred
lashes were more than any mortal could bear, and would
certainly kill Mr. Magee. His reply, coupled with a vile
epithet, was, "Let hint die then," and ordered the soldiers
to commence. Mr. Magee was then partially stripped
and laid on the floor, three men being seated on his
head and shoulders, and four upon his feet, while two
held each arm, anti the Hogging commenced. It was
continued by foso• soldiers relieving each other at
every fifty lashes; the commandant keeping the tally
himself. By the time that 200 were administered, Mr.
Magee became insensible. The order was then given
to place him on a bed in an adjoining room, and let him re-
vive, so that the other 200 might' be administered in the
morning before shmiting him. During the night he was
visited frequently by the commandant. who placed the cold
muzzle of his revolver ready to discharge at his temples
during each visit, accompanying each act with such remarks
as " Don't you think you have lived long enough?
Wouldn't you thank me to put you out of your misery? I
have ruined .myself„And will put you under the muds before I
am." During the night aided by his soldiers, he broke into
the business house of Mr. Magee and removed all the
money from the safe, and other valuables. A visit was
then paid to the agency of the Pacific Mail 'Steamship Com-
pany with the intention of seizing upon Mr. Monerieff, lost
that gentleman being forewarned escaped wish his valuables
to the woods. Mr. Moncrieff, after effecting his escape,
proceeded towards the capital with the hope of interceptioe
and baateeine relief. A private conrier was deapatibed
early in the day. Near manning, he met General Kobel°
with about 100 men six miles from San JO5O. All possible
haste was made to reach a fort before the commandant ceuld
carry out Ma designs. At eight o'clock Mr. Magee was
again prepared to receive the other 2. 0 lashes, and just as
the order was given to co^nnence a soldier on the balconly
saw the approaching force of General Solari., and notified
the commandant. Mr. Magee, seeing a gleam of hope,
begged the commandant to desist, and to escape on board
the A rizona, promising bins letters of intreduction that
would ensure his safety in Salvador. The United States
consular agent, Mr. James, echoed Mr. Magee's advice,
promising to place bins on board. The proposition was
accepted, the letter written toy Mr. Magee and handed to
the emnmandant, who, as soon as he received it, ordered
Isis soldiers to fire on Mr. Magee ; but his soldiers,
knowing his downfall to lie certain, refused to
obey the order. Ile then made all haste to reach
the Arizona, and as he left the Muella in a small
boat, accompanied by the United States consular
agent, General Solemn entered the town. On arriving along-
side of the .1 rinea Mr. James came on Ismail. Ile was fol-
lowed by the commandant, who only reached the middle of
the gangway ladder, when lie was shot by some unseen
hand, the ball taking effect in the abdomen, producing a
mortal wound lie, however, managed to reach his limit,
and escape towards the shore. Two other shots were fired
Iny parties unknown, one of which tick effect in his shoulder.
One or two shots were retunnetl fries, the boat, lint without
effect. I have now only to add that Me Magee will doubt-
less fully recover from his physical injuries ; lest his nervous
system has received a shock that will require many years to
efface."