The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-20
Our Flag Insulted.
THE AMERICAN CONSUL AT ACAPULCO AS
sAULTED AND THROWN INTO PRISON
OUR BIG GUNS BRING
THE MEXICANsTo

THEIR SENSES.

THEIR SENSES.
In the latter part of June, Mr.. Sutter
United States consul at Acapulco, was stand
ing in the street before his Office when he
was insolently accosted by notorious ruffian
! who had been driven from Mazatan for be.
ing too ferocious and lawless for even the
rough population of that port to endure.
The fellow was ins olent beyond measure, and
Sutter, who is an old man. quietly requested
him to move on. The desperate replied with
blasphemous oaths, and significantly exposed
the hilt of long and keen knife. Upon
this menace the consul withdrew into his
office and took n revolver from his desk.
The bully outside, seeing the preparations
for defense, hurled a brick at Sutter, who,
perceiving that hostilities had really COM
menced, fired He had intended merely to
| fire over the desperado's head, but he aimed
low and the ball furrowed his scalp. The
Mexican fell not dead but stunned, Sutter
was Immediately arrested. He was tried be-
| fore Judge who was hostile to him. but who
with commendable justice, acquitted him.
On the day following, the lower class in
Acapulco, probably instigated by the Mexi-
can or his asso ociates, made a raid upon the
extensive plantation of German American
citizen named Kastan, one of the richest
rancheros in the region. They sacked Kas-
tan's dwelling, defoliated the orchards,
ravaged the fields and dispersed his hocks
The indignant American reported the out
rage and demanded consular interference
Sutter Immediately laid the matter before
President Diaz, claiming damages of from
100000 to slj0,000. Diaz forthwith wrote
an official account of the outrage to General
Jiminez, his commandment at Acapulco, de-
string him to make as speedy restitution as
possible. Jiminez was at that time military
governor of Acapulco. He received Diaz's
instructions with jeers, and refused point.
blank to move in the matter. Sutter, per
| ceiving the state of affairs, wrote a formal
protest to Diaz and one to Foster the Amer
lean minister to the City of Mexico. He
| had hardly performed this necessary act
| when he was again arrested, at whose insti-
cation he was unable to discover, and thrown
| into the town Jail. This was in fact a
noisome dungeon, and after the lapse Of
eight or ten days the unfortunate counsel
was seized with malarial attack, and his
| situation became so dangerous that the mill
| tary surgeon recommended his release from
| prison. Accordingly he was liberated
Foster, hearing of this additional outrage
sent to Diaz a mandatory request for salts
faction. Diaz forthwith appraised Jiminez
| that the seizure was illegal and that Suffers
procedure was justified. Jiminez positively
| refused to recognize the order. Affairs were
! in this critical condition when the Pensacola,
| which had been ordered to the spot from
Panama by the Navy department, arrived
and dropped her anchor in the barbor. Sut-
ter reported the outrage to Admiral Murray
of the flagship. The Admiral Immediately
trained his big guns on the town, ordered
| marines under arms, and landing had an
| audience with Jiminez. He stated in a few
terse sentences what he desired, and wasted
| no sine in unnecessary ceremonies. Sutter
should receive instant unconditional liberia
/
adjudicated. and reimbursement made the
American flag was to be raised, and with tht
consul, was to be saluted by the Mexican
guns otherwise-and Jiminez needed nc
extraordinary acuteness to perceive that tht
stern old Admiral meant what he said-tht
| Pensacola would Immediately batter the
| town down about Jiminez's ears. Cannon
instantly effected what protests had failed tc
achieve. Jiminez became very affable and
tractable He guaranteed the consuPs i'm.
| mediate unconditional release and the set.
| tlement of Kastran's claims The stars and
stripes were flung to the breeze and the Mex
ican guns roared a salute and another to the
consul The Pensacola courteously respond
ed with a salute. 1t was agreed by the Ad.
miral's stipulation that Kastran should ap-
point commissioner to assess damages, and
| the affair was settled.