The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-21
An Ex-Governor and His Two Sons
Dragged from the Shelter of
the British Vice Consulate.
BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.
Interview with the Victims in the
Prison Under Ground.
Excitement Among the For
eign Population.
A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR SENT FOR

Afser rough ride of sixty miles from Santiago,
occupying two days, through rain and mud, over
mountains as steep as the slope OF q mansard roof,
fording and swimming rivers, l reached here to-
day at noon to ind this community tremendously
agtated over the case of Ex-Governor Nuezi, some
times called Lafltte, who, along with his two sons
was forcby taken from under the roof ofthe British
Vice Consul, Mr.. Hamburger, land cast into the
prison OF the fort which commands the harbor.
He is there as WRITE in most loathsOme dun
geon and heavily ironed. ! had been but a very
short time in town when an aide from Governor Con-
zaes who Is in charge of this province Of the Re-
public, came to say His EXcellency would be
pleased If l made a call upon him Is soon as posi-
BILE. / came across the county in the light
est possible marching order, flannel shirt
and pants, hammock and few odds
and ends that might be carried in a capacous vest
pocket; but friend put me in the position i'm
mediately of responding to the Governors sum-
MONS l found Gonzales far better lodged than his
superior, President BaeZ. The audience chamber
was respondent in yellow and crimson damask,
and the private bedroom adjoining was fit for
prince. 1t was here met Governor Gonzales, sit
ting in an arm chair and suffering from recent
attack OF fever Gonzales is small, as most Do
minicans are. but he is man of mark. He has de.
cison, energy and ambition, and if this Republic
Is to retain its individuality he will some day be it's
President II the rash act he has just committed
does not disgrace him forever. He has done
thing which may give his name worldwide no
toriety. He has done something similar to
what our Admiral wilkes did at the
opening Of the Southern rebellion. He
has 1orcibly taken from under the shelter
of the British flag three men who sought shelter
there, and feversh an xiety pervades the COM
munity as to what action the commander OF the
British man-of-war, which is daily expected, will
take under the circumstances. Once upon time
British commander, with his bulldog, knocked
town on the Haytian coast into spinters for an
offence like this, but, perhaps the forthcoming
courier of Mars will be less impulsve. Accom-
panied by Mr.. Victoria, the Chilean and Dominican
Consul at st. Thomas, 1 called on Gonzales and
learned his version Of how he came to burst into
the dwelling of Mr.. Hamburger, the British Consul,
and take out the three persons seeking refuge
there. Having already heard the facts, as far away
as Santiago, found the Governors narrative con-
firm some OF the principal points.
Before giving 1t l might state that in my first
letter from here. on the 10th Of February, men,
toned that revolution" had come off in the
mountains, headed by Nuezi-otherwise Laftte-
wh0 protesting against the surrender Of territory
to the SANTANA Bay Company, had taken the field
and disputed the authority OF Baez. Gonzales
with vigor and promptitude, and crushed him al
most nstanter. Nuezi was well known in this
town. very popular man he Is along the northern
coast-and they say who know most about the
matter. that only for him Baez would never have
been President. Nuezi was formerly Governor Of
this district and was well liked for his many good
qualities Of heart. But to the
STORY OF GONZALES.
He said that for some years there was Mr..
Paradis living in Porto Plata VINO had ned from
Porto Iuco, where he had been condemned to ten
years. Imprisonment for assassination. Paradis
was inimicable to the Baez administration, and
conceived the design Of assassnating Governor
Gonzales. one OF its representatives, as political
opponent Of General Grants might mediate put
ting an end to the existence OF Governor Dix.
Paradis was arrested, and on the examination II
turned out that son Of Nuezf, named Claudio,
was implicated In the scheme OF assassinating
Gonzales. The latter, from motives OF friendly con-
sideraton for the father, wrote to the elder Nuez
to the effect that as his sons name had been con
uected with the plot OF Paradis he should be glad
to see the boy and have the matter properly
cleared up. NueN answered that his son could
not and would not come. Gonzales made second
request intimating to Nuez that If he did not send
his son he should be obliged to have him arrested
proceeding he desired to avoid for old acquaint-
ance sake. No reply came, but in place thereof
news reached Governor Gonzales that Nuezf had
gone into the country, and proceeded to gather
men to march on Porto Plata. He succeeded In
assembling forty and approached this town.
At distance OF about four or five
hours chats the way they me asure space in this
country, where, being met by the soldiers Of the
government, under Gonzales, they were dispersed
ANONYMOUSLY, the government troops taking about
I've or six prisoners, who declared that they HAD
been mised by General Nuez, who, in calling them
out, pretended that he was complying with govern
ment orders The men who escaped presented
themselves subsequently and declared that they
too, had been mised. Nuez, his three sons and
two more men remained in the meantime hid
among the woods near Marmolejo They were
actively pursued, and In the middle Of last month
being surprised early, before daybreak, they iet
almost naked, leaving their arms behind them. The
pursuit OF Nuezi and his sons was very closest
much so that on the night OF the sd OF Februar!
they made, as it were, one despairing EFFORT b.
seeking refuge In the house Of Mr.. Hamburger, thu
British Consul, who on the next morning sent u
Governor Gonzales the following letter.
A NOTE FROM THE BRITISH CONSUL
pS SnaTtsh PLAZA vies f Feb Is isis
ss e
and Claudio at my house, they having claimed
of the British nae JOSE HAxf shS
To THE GOVERNOR OF PUKRT0 PLATA.
This document should have been dated the oath,
In place OF the 25:h. On the 23d OF February Mr..
Hamburger had been comforting with the wife Of
General Nuezi promising her protection for her
husband and sons II they should come to his house.
shortly after writing the letter just quoted, Mr..
Hamburger called on Governor Gonzales, and said
20 him 1t would be polite stroke for him to make
II ne would state puolicly that he had been aware
the day before that Nuezi and his sons we're
coming TO seek an asylum at the British Consul's,
TO which Gonzales replied that he could not tell
the public lie, for II he had been aware OF any
such thing ne snoud certainly have taken measures
to apprehend them. While this conversation was
going on Gonzales sent one of his aids TO ascertain
whether the Nuezs were at the British Consulate
or at Mr.. Hamburger's private house. After
Hamburger had left, and 1t had been discovered
that Nuezi was at his private residence and not Al
the consulate, orders were gwen to the Alcalde
or Mayor, to SUR ound Hamburger's house and de
mand OF him. in the name Of the government, tn,
surrender oil Nuezi and his sons. Hamburger re
fused TO comply, and the Mayor, author
ized by the Governor, drew the attention
OF the Consul TO the fact that wild