Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-20
Fight Between the Foreign and Native Boat
men at Chagres.

By the arrival Of the Cherokee at New York, we
learn that fight occurred at Chagres in the early part
OF October between the foreign and native boatmen,
caused by arrogant attempt the part of the foreign
boamen prevent the natives from carrying passengers
to and from the steamers in the harbor because they
sometimes transported them at less price than the
tariff fixed by the foreign boat club.
1t appears subsequently, that OF the California
passengers mprudeny inerered in the quarrel between
the antagonlstc parties and sided with the foreigners,
at meeting held. This occurred the night of the
2st ultimo. 1t resolved that il any native boats
crossed the river in the morning to take off passengers
the Cherokee he mails aud treasure having arrived)
they should be fired into.
The next morning (22d) accordingly, the native
boatmen were engaged in Transporting passengers and
baggage, murderous fire opened upon them by
the American boamen assisted by the California pas
sengers before mentioned. The boats sunk and
several persons killed The natives, Cartha genan and
Jamaica negroes then mGSse fhrstng Tor blood
and with the cry of " nauerto los 4zsricanos" made
an attack upon the with three old cannon the
Americans returning it with their rifles and other fire.
Several gentlemen and ladies (passengers) were
barrcaded in the principal hotel Of the place. and after
severe fright, but fortunately uniniured, finally
rescued from the savages by Captain Symonds of the
British steamer Medway who acted in the kndest man.
ner, and placed them on board of his vessel.
During the fight, in which the American boatmen
worsted at last. IL is thought that fifteen natives
and two Americans were killed. besides many wounded
on both sides Chagres in fn possession of the ma
ves the time that the ladies transported the
English steamer. gentleman who witnessed the
lict IN the town, writes follows:
" We saw two Americans, whom we could recognize
passengers with board the Oregon surrounded
by crowd OF natives, who were emitting at them with
sabres in the most savage manner while two three
amongst whom the brother of landlord
apparently endeavorng to shield them. They were
finally thrust into house. and the door closed. One of
them afterwards the Office Of the British Mail
Company Agent dreaduly to pieces, but still Iv-
ing. The other, nothing could he heard of at the time
we got away, and from the nature Of the wounds he
mTst have received. there be little doubt of his
DEATH Shortly after this great crowd gathered around
house few rods above that in which shut up
and from the shouts could learn that they in
pursuit Of American. who said TO be there. A
few minutes afterwards they appeared with savage yels
dragging the body Of a white man 10y the heels with
dreadful wound in his side from which bis bowels were
protruding, and this body afterwards tied
the bow OF boat, and hanging in the water at the
barcGdsr0.'
This shocking occurrence is entirely attributable to
the uncaed for and imprudent interference by pas
sengers in a quarrel which they had business to
ntermedde with 1t is truly fortunate that the affair
serious the American ladies and gentle
men who happened, unluckily, to be at the time in
Chagres.