Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-08-03
The Acapulco Outrage,

i
Pensacola arrived from Acapulco, bringre-
liable information concerning the origin of
Acapulco Consular difficulty, which has
not yet been published in this country.
1t seems that Mr.. Sutter, United States
Consul at Acapulco, was standing in the
street before his office one day, when he
was insolently accosted by notorious
ruffian who had been driven from MaZat-
Ian for being too ferociOus and lawless
for even the rough population of that
port to endure. The fellow was insolent
beyond measure, and Sutter, who is an
old man, quietly requested him to move
on. The desperate replied with bias
phemous oaths, and significantly exposed
the hilt of long and keen knife. Upon
this menace the Consul withdrew into his
office, and took revolver from his desk.
The bully outside, seeing the preparation
for defense, hurled a brick at Sutter,
who, perceiving that hostlities had really
commenced, 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, and Sutter was Immediately
arrested. He was tried before 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
Mexican and his associates, made raid
upon the extensive plantation of Ger
man-American citizen named Kastan, one
of the richest rancheros in the region.
The mob sacked Kastan's dwelling, des-
olated his orchard, ravaged his fields and
dispersed his f1ocks The indignant
American reported the outrage and de-
manded Consular interference. Suffer
Immediately laid the matter before Pres
ident Diaz, claiming damages of from
$10O,0O0 to $150,000 Diaz forthwith
| wrUto official account of the outrage
to Gen. Jiminez, his commandant at Aca-
pulco, desiring him to make as speedy
restitution as possible. Jiminez was at
that time Military Governor of Acapulco.
He received DiaZ' instructions with jeers,
and refused point blank to move ia the
matter. Sutter, perceiving the state of af-
fairs, wrote formal protest to Diaz and
one to Foster, the American Minister at the
City of Mexico. He had hardly performed
| this necessary act when he was again ar
rested, at whose instigation he was una
BILE to discover, and thrown into the town
]
| dungeon, and after the lapse of eight
or ten days the unfortunate Consul
was seized with a malarial attack,
and his situation became so dangerous
that the military surgeon recommended
his release from prison. Accordingly he
was liberated on kind of parole, in
which he signed an instrument which
bound him to appear for trial upon noti-
fication. Foster, hearing of this addi-
tional outrage, sent to Diaz a mandatory
request for satisfaction. Diaz forthwith
apprised Jiminez that the seizure was
illegal and that Suffers procedure was
justified. The President also dispatched
a Senator as a commissioner to adjudi'
cate the Kastan claim, in conjunction
with another commissioner TO be ap-
pointed by Sutter or Kastan. 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
anchor in the harbor. Sutter reported
the outrage to Admiral Murray, of the
flagship. The Admiral Immediately
trained his big guns on the town, ordered
the marines under arms, and, landing, had
an audience with JimineZ. He stated in
few terse sentences what he desired
and wasted no time in unnecessary cere
monies. Sutter should receive instant
unconditional liberation; Kastan's claims
should lie speedily djudicated and REIN
bursement madei the American flag wa
to be raised and, with the Consul, was
to be saluted by the Mexican guns
otherwise Jiminez needed no ex
traordipary acuIenes5 10 Paroeive tina
the stern old Admiral meant what h
said-the Pensacola would immediatel,
batter the town down about Jimine7
, ears. Cannon instantly effected wha
protests had failed to achieve. Jimine
became very affable and tractable. Ill
guaranteed the Consurs immediate un
conditional release and the settlement o
,, Kaston's claims. The stars and stripe
were flung to the breeze and the Mexica
guns roared salute and another to tn
Consul. The Pensacola cOurteOusly re
sponded with salute. 1t was agreed b
the Admiral's stipulation that Kasta
should appoint commissioner to &C
: with the Senator, and the affair was SCI
= tied. Francisco OhrOntcLe.