The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-08-12
Outrage on American Citizens.

Late arrivals from, Mexico have brought in.
telligsnce Of a gross outrage committed on the
persons Of a number Of Americas citizens.-
The subjoined account of the affair has been
furnished TO the New York papers by Capt
Clifford Of the barque Uaa. and is considered
TO be correct. The accounts published in the
Mexican journals, however, assert that these
Yankees, as they are termed, were engaged in
instigafing a revolution iu Upper California.
which beautiful and fertile country they had
determined 10 steal, in the same manner that
the spectators Of New Orleans had stolen
Texas"
On the 9Th Of April the English and Amer
ican residents on the coast Of California. near
Santa Barbara, were, without any previous no.
tice. seized upon aod thrown into prison. no
one could tell for what causes. After exsmin-
alton, of which nothing public WAS made known,
the Governor chartered a vessel called the Gui-
puzcoa. which finally left Santa Barbara. on
the 7th May, for San Bias, with fouy-six pris-
oners on board, half of which number where
English, the remaining half citizens of the u
ni,ed States.
These miserable sufferers. loaded with irons
worn down by the cruelty they had received,
and expecting. many Of them. to sink nnder the
weight Of their Accumulated miseres. were
crowded like condemned ielons into the hold Of
the vessel, where 10 add 10 their suflerines. they
were inhumsnly deprived both of light and air.
The Guispuzcoa was eleven days on her pas
sage to San Bias, during which time the pris.
ouers endured every cruelty. and suffered every
abuse which the brutal feelings Of their persecu-
ters could invent. Arrived at San Bias they
were with as little delay as possible landed. and
Immediately forced TO commence their march 10
Tcpic. distance Of sixty miles which they
performed 10 two DAYS. over a mountainous road.
with the thermometer standing at 90, having no
place whereou To rest their weary bodies but the
hard stones, and no food 10 supply exhausted
nature. save scanty morsel, provided by the
hand of charity.
During the march, which WIS laborious e.
nough TO exhaust the stoutest frame, the pris-
oners were urged onward by lashes inflicted up
on their naked bodies, and one. who sank under
fatigue. WAS barbarously beaten with the but
end of muske,. 10 renovate bis strength and
arouse hi. dropping spirits.
Arrived at Tepic the situation OF the Prison
ers was soon meliorsted, by the energetic and
humane exerlions OF the British and American
Cousus at that place; for il was found on in
yesiigaiion, that the officer who had come from
California in charge Of the prisoners, had no
documents of any nature 10 show the cause of
the violent proceedings ofthe Governor. or any
proof of charges against the prisoners: conse-
aucntlv. by orders Of the military commander
The iron, we're taken from their limbs, and by
direction Of the Consuls comfortable quarters
and wholesome food we're provided for them
~i,hor, DELAY.
The military gentlemen, whose brutality had
excited the Indignation even Of the authorities Of
Tepic. to their utter cousternatio1, we're com
PEELED 10 march TO the quarrel, where they
found strong guard. with the privilege Of oc-
casiopally perpns through the CRATES.
A circums,sntai account Of the history ofthe
outrage and the sufferings Of the prisoners had
been forwarded By the Consul. 10 the British
and American ministers resident IN Mexico.
both Of whom had warmly entered into the
cause, aud had demanded a full explanation
from the supreme government, and satisfaction
for the injuries which their countrymen had
been compelled to suffer.
Official accounts Of this Infamous transaction
have been forwarded to the British and Amer-
can governments by their respective ministers
at the city Of Mexico, and il is confidently hop
ed that prompt and energetic measures will be
pursued BY those powers to obtain ample JUS
ice and Remuneration for the prisoners, and
Satisfaction for the national insult.
During the course Of proceedings aesiusi the
prisoners while in Califorois. and afterwards in ,
Tepie. they were assisted with advice and other
means BY an Amsrern citizen named Farm
ham. who fortunately happened to be passing
through that country, 90 his way TO The Unied
States, which services were aekno~ledsed ey
the prisonsrs, 10 isusS expressing the warm
est thanks and gratitude.