The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-05-02
MASSACRE OF AMERICANS AT PANAMA,
Additional Particulars.

Additional Particulars.
The correspondent of the New York Tribun
gives full account Of the massacre of the twenty
i've Americans on the Isthmus. He says:
Tn the afternoon of that day, the passenger
per steamer Illinois, arrived at the Railroad Depo
az Panama, on their way to the steamer J. L. Ste
pnens, but owing TO the low tide, they were de
tanned ON Shore portion of the passengers b.
the CoEtes from San Francisco, were also stoppinl
at the several hotels In the vicinity of the depot
fhere could not have been less than 1000 or 100
Americans eongregated about the railroad termi
nus. About sunset difficulty occurred between
groes, which was freely joined by friends on boil
sides, and general row now commenced Pistols
bowie knives, swords. muskets, clubs and rock
we're freely used, and with deadly effect Tn,
Americans were generally unarmed, having only
a few small revolvers, and consequently, after I
short struggle. had to yield the ground. The ma
tives were reinforced by large numbers. The,
now made an attack upon the different hotels. ani
drove all the inmates out, many of whom sough
safety, as they supposed, in the depot building
About this time the Police (God save the terml
was called in requisition; but instead of attempt
ing to restore order, it is positively known that
portion of them joined the negroes and made the
assault upon the depot. The police and negroe,
nred upon4the crowd, and drove every man, wo
man and child from the building, who in theiI
and others to the thick brush and woods, where
they remained during the night, and with the ex
pectation of being murdered when daylight ap
reared large number were fortunate enough
to get on board of the small steamer, and were
conveyed to the j. L. Stephens After the natives
had accomplished their work of death, and dis
persed all from the ground, they commenced
plunderlng the baggage and destroying every
thing to be found in the hotels. The pas.
sengers, in their sudden flight, left and lost
\
in the hotels, the black mob attacked the depot
building which contained large amount of
luggage and treasure all of which the rascals OBJ
tanned. They then commenced to tear up the
Railroad track, and to pull down the telegraph
poles, and destroyed both Railroad and Telegraph
ofhces. They were aware that the Express goods
would be brought Overfrom Aspinwall that night,
and had laid their plans to seize them. They tore
up the track ID the vicinity of the depot in order
that the engine might run off: but through the ex-
ertions or MIR. Williams, condutor on the road,
the express train was stopped by his signals before
reaching tae fatal point and the lives OF those on
board anG t..e goods were saved and the train put
BACK To Aspin3-.tI, where it remained at tie time
the Philade.r .rA.- sailed
have NO ;xtns OF knowing the number killed
ana woanueisy There were twenty-five Ameri-
cans found az Immediately around the depot il
the morning, tnost of whom were passengers from
the Cortez biz this number is probably not half
that were murdered. OF the number of natives
out could De 4Scort8tn6d; out few
paratiyey, think, were slain.
During the night some scattering Americans
were picked up from time to time by the police,
and escorted to the gates of the city but with the
requisition ofrom IS to $40 each for doing, and
several instances they were robbed of all money,
watches. and other effects found upon their per-
sons, and theislives threatened in case of resist
ance.
Soon after tie commencement of hostilities, the
Governor of Panama and the American Consul
were on the ground, but their exertions to quiet
the riot proved Intellectual It is reported by some
tried TO restore order, but afterwards
couraged the marder and plunder. My slight ac-
quaintance with Gov. Deas forbids me from giving
any credence to the latter report.
The Spanish portion of the inhabitants of Pana-
ma were much frightened. Every house and
place of business was instantly closed and barred
and but few ventnrued out upon the balconies du
ring the night. The hotels in the city were closed
and guarded until morning.
Ofthe amount OF money and other effects lost by
the passengers, can give but an imperfect idea
1t is supposed by many that not less than 800 O0C
would cover the amount.
1t is stated that only one lady and two children
were killed. Mitchell Bettern, of Vermont who
was killed. was robbed of $4,000.
Among the wounded not mentioned yesterday
were Joseph N. Parker, Bangor, Me. cut with a
machete on the head-skull fractured, and q stab
in the loins; A. w. Seloysr, Providence, R. L. shot
through the lungs with musket ball; A. Lante,
Swane Strong, Me-, shot in the shoulder with a
musket ball, which passed down into the kidneys;
Patrick J. ONeil, San Francisco. gun shot through
the body, and cash on the head with q machete;
Nathan Preble, Hancock county, Ohio, cut in the
face very badly with . machete
One account says that but few of the natives
were killed, while another states that about forty
of them fell A correspondent writes that an at
tempt having been made to get the passengers
who were in the vicinity of the station on board
the little steamer. the natives formed guard at
the beach, and stripped men, women and children
as they approached, taking the women's rings from
their fingers and ears, and their pins from, their
cuffs and bosoms