Washington telegraph., 1854-10-18
Another Outrage.

Five gentlemen arrived in San Antonio, Sept
4th, who are just returning from California, hav-
ing come by the overland route from Mazatlan,
on the Paclhc-their names and places of resi-
dence are as follows:
Richard NJ, Head, Bibb county, Georgia: John
W. Cole, Holly Springs, Miss. Jas, Sehoohed,
Hamilton county, Tennessee; David Spring, Fors
Smith, Ark.
From these persons we learn the following
painful disclosures: In the city OF Durango. Mex
leo, they learned in private manner that there
were some Americans in the city prison, and they
afterwards got permission TO visit them. They
found them in a large stone dungeon OF SO filthy
description that it was almost impossible for ys-
ltors to remain in the entrance way but few
minutes. The Americans in confinement were
three in number, and their names and former
place of residence were as follows: William Shir-
ley, Broom county. New York; William Rodgers
Stark county, Ohio: John Gaines, Dayton, Mont
gomery county, Ohio. These men have been in
this filthy dungeon tour years and fhree months
and during two years of this time they were
chained downto the floor, in total darkness. where
they could not see any person but tie ore who fed
them then starving allowance. At the end of two
years the huge chains around their ankles and
wrists, had tcorR Me flesh off 10 Tie 6oRe and such
was their horTld condition, that their chains were
removed to save their lives and keep them in
misery the longer. The flesh is partly healed
enlng scars, which were all seen by the five per-
sons whose names are mentioned above
They state that they Were imprisoned on the
charge of numbering and robbing man for his
money, and they state also. that from some facts
Which they are in possession OF, the person W
committed the murder escaped. They have been
trying to get trial, but hearing is refused them
ihey have written letters to the American Min
isels IN Mexico several times, and they have rea-
sons to believe he has never received them.
Our infornants learned from many respectable
Spanlards IN Durango, that it was impossible to
get evidence to convict them; and the great mass
OF the people believe them innocent. The Young
est of these prisoners, John Gaines OF DAYTON
Ohio is only II years old. The interview which
our informant had with them, was a heart-thri!-
ling scene-and on taking leave. they begged them
IN the most feeling manner to relate their circum-
stance to the American people, and if possible. to
send news to their friends Of their condition. and
send them relief
The above statement is of .he most reliable
character-these persons witnessed it with their
own eyes, and they are persons of undoubted YER
acity, and some of them have long been known to
some of our citizens.
For the sake of humanity. let there be some
thing done in this matter Ii a citizen of the Uni
ted States has any protection abroad let il be
known. For what object do we have Minister
IN Mexico! Our government should regard the
rights ofeach citizen of our country. and hold them
as sacred the rights of OF the States OF cur
Union.
Let the alarm be sounded in the ears of every
American citizen that three of their brothers are
confined without cause, and are fsmishing with
hunger and dying in chains in dark loathsome
dungeon in the city of Durango, Mexico
Teran