New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-17
RELIGIOUS PERSEC UTION IN MEXICO.

OFFICIAL REPORT TO THE NAVAL DEPARTMENT OF
THE MASSACRE OF PRoTEsTANTs AT ACAPULCO
A CONGREGATION ATTACKED AND FOUR PERSONS
KILLED AND ELEVEN woUNDED--THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC CURATE CHARGED WITH HAVING IN
sTIGATED THE ATTACK
WARRINGTON, April 16.-The Navy Depart
ment has received communication from Capt Queen
commanding the United States steamer saranac, dated
Acapulco March ~ he having been ordered thther "
inquire into circumstances attending the death ~
violence Of an American citizen Capt Queen reports
that about the 18th Of March Procopo Daz and other
resents of Acapulco all natives and citizens OF Mexico
Organized congregation FOR religious worship according
Ia tie Protestant creed The meetings were held on
Sundays and other days in the house Of Diaz, aud
were strictly Of private character Dlaz anu
some members of his flock occasionally
stoned y the popuace and otherwise annoyed nut ss
tanned no serious damage to their persons In December
last the Rev II. II. Hutchinson head of the Prcsbyto
rian mission in Mexico solicited by the congregation
To their pastor and TO organize the congregation
In a more formal manner Converts were acocu 10 TIC
church. and tie society numbered 6o persons III all
mostly natives of the country Preaching took place and
PRAYER meetings held at Diazs residence. They
looked for suitable building for church purposes and
coon rented which had served as a Roman Catholic
church. was subsequently used by French invaders
and was afterward occupied as mercantile
warehouse. The chapel was formally opened
In January last, Mr.. HUTCHINSON oulcidi!nS IL
psor On the 25th Of that month, after the services
the congregation retired without any fears Of injury from
their Q, emes Mr. Hutchinson did not at that time at
tend the chapel, the services being conducted by Mr.
Diaz There were 80 40 members few minutes
after d. H. as the congregation singing the last
hymn a disturbance occasioned by party OF Next
cans armed with machetes and muskets. From the tcs
timouy addnccd on the examination into the dis
only six eight OF these armed men entered
building, the Others remaining outside ior the pui
nose IL s said OF killing the Protestants who should at
iemt 10 escape The struggle In the chapel did not con
tnue more than eight minutes shots were tre but the
Tle Protestants after the assassns retrcd Darrcaed
the chapeas means of protection from the force outside
spo and were directly followed by 40 soldiers from the
garrison The District Judge and his Secretary also APP
peared upon the and ordered those inside TO open
the doors of the chapel TINS the refused 70
their friends IL then ascertaned, according 10 ON
cial nau-" that three man and ens venan nad Dcen
killed and 1 men wounded. Among the number Killed
was Henry Morris, c0lJrcd man, barber ana hauVe
al f,,,,;,u Ills body fearfully mangied The head
was almost severed from the body. He hia frequently
been warned by his frlends not 70 go
to the meetings there were reasShS mac. ,oe
his lie in danger woman killed by bullet pass
inc through her head and man was fo,nd III ayihs
eo1dition This OF the attacking party ana VA
shot by Diaz who was badly wounded having rece'ca
eight wounds. =, $500 A..
pettion has been presented TO General Alvarez, tne
Governor OF State asking for the expulsion OF the
Professionals Even II 1t should appear that the eurate
vas mpcated the Governor would not nave the neces
sary force sustain him In the inquiry Nothing nau
been done 10 bring the offenders 10 punishment ANY en-
ergete steps ~ this end would have the elect ol incic
ing the excitement and occasoning fresh ontbieahs
formal accusation pending against the cnrate but
there seemed prospect of bringing MIN 10 account
ewing 10 the present uniay orube condition OF anaira