The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-05-14
Outrage upon British Counsel at Pam
anna.


A Panama letter of May Sd, gives the fol-
lowing details of the shocking treatment of the
British Vice Consul there:
correspondent writing from San Jose, he
port of Guatemala, under the date of the 25th
inst, describes dia boical outrage committed
at that port on British subject by Col. Con-
zales, the Military Commandment there, so
revolving in its nature that it will scarcely be
believed that it could have been perpetrated in
any part of Central America. Soon after the
arrival at San Jose of the steamship Arizona,
en- route from San Francisco to Panama, it was
whispered about that Mr. Moncrief, the agent
of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and
Mr. John Magee, Her British Msjestys Vice
Consul, had been arrested by order of the COM
mandant and Mr.. Magee had been sentenced
to receive 400 lashes at 4 o clock p. m. Consid-
ering the position of Mr. Magee, the statement
was scarcely credited, until Moncrief was re-
leased and allowed to go on board of the steam
er. Mr.. Magee being unable to walk down to
the mole where the said comnandant wanted
to see him, an armed guard was sent to bring
him dead or alive. When brought into the pres
ence of Col. Gonzales. he was only prevented
from shooting him by the intercession of
friends. He then struck him repeatedly with
the DuUG OF MS revolver anu OTueIeu Ilm W Ue
taken anu put into confinement until he was
ready to administer the 400 lashes Mr.. Ma
gee invoked the protection OF his flag, but with
out effect.
Mr.. James, the consular agent of the United
States, prepared protest in the name OF his
government and presented it just as Col Con
zales was about to commence the t1ogging of
Mr.. Magee. The commandment became furious
and threatened to serve Mr.. James and every
foreigner as he was about 70 do to Mr.. Magee.
To-
Who said that 400 lashes would kill Mr.. Ma
gee Let him die them was the only reply
vouchsafed.
Mr.. Magee was then partially stripped aud
laid on the floor. Three men were directed to
SIT over his head and shoulders and four over
his feet, with man holding each arm. The
tioggng was done by four soldiers relieving
each other every fifty lashes, the commandment
keeping tally. By the time 200 lashes were
given Mr.. Magee was insensible. The order
was given to carry him to an adjoining room to
rest SO as to be ready to receive the other 200
lashes the next morning and then to be shot
afterwards. F .s
Before all this was done Gonzales put
guard AROUND the telegraph office and prevent
ed messages being sent to the capital after
night spent IN pillagfng Mr.. Magee's quarters
and in drunken orgies. Mr.. Moncrief at once
sent off courier to the capital who telegraph
ed his message from the first station he came
to, which brought at once Gen. Zolleres with
100 men. At s o'clock a.. m. Mr.. Magee, by
orders of Gonzales, was being made ready to
receive the remaining 200 ]ashes of his Sc ntence
when a sol 1ier described the approach of the
force under Gen. Zolleres. On hearing the
news the commandment ran away to take re-
fuge on board of the Arizona, but just as he
was ascending the gangway ladder a shot
from some unknown hand severely wounded
him.
Another Panama letter states that the only
cause known for the brutal treatment of Mr..
Magee at San Jose was his inability by lame
ness to appear before Gonzalez as promptly as
the latter desired. 1t is thought that Magee
will recover from his injuries, but his nervous
system is seriously shocked. The same lie tier
also states that when Gonzalez was about to
have the second 200 ashes inflicted upon Magee
the latter begged Gonzalez not to commence,
but to escape to the steamer Arizona and he
(Magee) would give him letter which would
insure him safety at Salvador. Gonzales
agreed to this. Magee wrote the letter, when
Gonzales ordered his soldiers to shoot Magee,
but they refused as they knew Solano was en-
terng the town.
Gonzales then took boat to embark on the
Arizona, accompanied by United States Cousu-
lar Agent James. The latter got on board.
AS Gonzales reached half way up the gangway
he was shot mortally through the abdomen, but
got into his boat again and made for the shore.
He was again shot in the shoulder. s
Still another letter states that the steamer
Arizona remained over night at San Jose in
order to aid Magee In the morning all pas
sengers on the Arizona as we'll as the crew
armed themselves, feeling much incensed at
the horrible treatment of Mr.. Magee.
American Consul James first assembled the
gangway of the steamer but before Gonzales
reached more than half way up some unknown
party on the Arizona fired at him, wounding
him in the abdomen and several other shots
were fired at him. He fell into the boat and
helped row to the shore.
Magee afterwards went ON board the Arizona
appearing much injured. General Serano sent
word that he would keep Gonzales till his
wounds healed in order that he might shoot
him.
United States Minister Williamson heard of
the affair and telegraphed to the Captain of the
Arizona to detain the vessel until further Or
ders from him, but after advising with Mr..
Magee, Mr.. James and others, the town being
in possession of Gen. Serrano, and Gonzales be-
ing prisoner the steamer left for Panama,
her captain forwarding full dispatches to
ma!a