The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-17
REPORT FROM THE MEXICAN IN
vESrIGATION.

&. ut. Queen, commanding the United STATES
steamer Saranac, dated Acapulco, March n,
he having been ordered thither to inquire
into the circumstances attending the death
by violence OF an American citizen.
Capt. Qneen reports that during last fall.
Procopio C. Diaz and other residents OF Aca-
pulco, all natives and citizens Of Mexico.
organized congregation for RELIGIOUS wor-
ship according to the Protestant creed.
The meetings were held ON Sundays and
other days in the house of Diiz, and were
strictly OF private character. Diaz aud
some members Of his flock were occasi ,nally
stoned by the populace and otherwise an
noyed, but sustained no serious damage to
their persons. In December last Rev II. III.
Hutchinson, head Of the Presbyterian Mission
in Mexico, was solicited by tho congregation
to become their pastor, and to organize the
congregation in q more formal manner. Con-
W rts were added TO the church, and in all
the society numbered sixty-eight persons,
mostly natives Of the country.
Preaching took place and PRAYER meetings
were held ut Diaz', residence. Tney looked
for suitable building FOR church purposes,
and soon rented one which, lad served as q
Roman Catholic church, sub>equ7 ntly used
by the French invaders and afterwards had
been occupied rs = mercantile warehouse.
The chapel was formally opened in January
last, Mr.. Hutchinson officiating as pastor.
After the services the congregation retired
without any fear Of injury from their enc
mics.
Ga the 25th of that month Mr.. Hutchinson
did rot attend the chapel, the services being
conducted by Mr.. D.az. There were present
thirty or forty members. few minutes
after o'clock in the eve ing as the congre-
CATION were singing the last hymn, disturb
ance was occasioned by forty Mexicans armed
with machetes and musksts. From the testi-
mony adduced on the examination into the
disturbances only six or oieht OF these armed
men entered the building, the others remain
ing outside for the purpose IL il said of
finishing the Protestants who should attempt
| to escape.
The struggle in the chapel did not con-
time more than eight minures. Shots were
the mnchetes. The Professionals, after the as
sassins retired, barricaded their chapel rs
means Of protection from tie force outside.
The military commander ard his aids soon
reached the SPOT and were directly followed by
forty soldiers from the garrison.
The District Judge and his secretary also
app. AIRED upon the scene, and ordered those
inside to open the doors OF the chapel! This
the Protes ants refused to do until they were
assured the party so ordering were their
friends. 1t was then ascer,ained according
woman had been killed, aud eleven men
| wounded.
Among the number killed was q colored
man named Henry Morris and native of
Boston. His body was tearfully mangled;
his head WAS almost severed from his body.
He had frequently been warned by his friends
not to go to the meetings. ~ there were rea-
sons for believing that by doing SO he would
place his life in dagger.
A woman was killed by q bullet passing
through her head, and maj was found in
dying condition.
This man was of the attacking party and was
shot by Diaz, who was badly wounded, having
received eight wounds. MIR Hutchinson, on
| the evening cf the attack, on being advised to
remove to other quarters, tie went to the Cali
fornia Hotel, and q Mexican guard was sent
| there to protect him should au ATTEMPT be
made on his life. by advice OF the United
Sta es Consul he went on board OF q vessel and
| sailed for San Francisco.
Capt Queen says The majority Of the peo-
| pie Of Acapulco IL fluenced and approved the
determination of the Protes.ants. He has
reason to believe that the treachery and
Influence Of the Roman Catholic Citrate in
| stlya'ed the assault In his sermons he
never condemned the outrage.
A petition had been presented to Gen.
| Alvarez, tho Governor Of the State, asking
for the expulsion OF the Professionals. Even IT
1t should appear the curate WAS implicated
the Governor would not have the necessary
force to sustain him in the inquiry.
| Nothing had been done to bring the Offend
ers to punishment. Any .energetic steps to
this cad would have the effect Of increasing
the excitement and occa>ionlng fresh out
| breaks. A forml accusation against the
curate was pending, but there seemed no
| prospect Of bringing him to account owing to
the present uuavO rab!e condition of affairs.