National Republican., 1883-08-02
The Monterey AInIr.

THE REPUBLICAN, in discussing few days
since, tho reported outrage on the American
consulate at Monterey, suggested that the in
formation furnished of the affair showed it to
be an attempt of some parties to commit a
robbery, who, being intercepted by the acting
consul, gave him a cruel beating the better
to effect their escape, and that it was not
really an attack on the American consulate
as such, and was not sanctioned by Mexican
authority. The Galveston NeiCS one Of tho
most cnterprising papers in the country, sent
special correspondent to Mexico to investi-
gate the matter, and he has made his report.
The circumstantial report Of the affair is as
follows:
Briefly the facts In the case arc as follows Dr.
Robert c. Campbell, the consul, had occasion TO 90
to New Laredo last Monday to confer with the
American consul at that place in regard to some
business relating to his Office. lie left the Rev.
Harry Shaw, a Presbyterian clergyman, in charge
Of his Office during his absence. Mr. Shaw had
been in town exactly year on the day ofthe
assault and is spoken Of as an inolIcusve gentle.
man who has studiously avoided giving insult to
any one in the community. lie had been to sup
per and returned to the consulate about o'clock
He securely locked the door abou; o clock hut
when he returned the front door entering the
hallway was open. Not anticipating anything
wrong he entered, but was ustonlshcd to find the
door entering the Office also open. The lamp was
lighted and rested on Dr. Campbelrs private desk.
NIr Shaw started to enter, but was accoscd by a
Mexican who stood where thu glare OF the Zig Int
could not reach him, and who, without warming,
struck Mr. shaw heavy blow on the head on
and over tho left ear with heavy pistol.
lie fell to the ground violently, and
was insensible for more than thirty
minutes. In the meantime the perpetrators ofth o
outrage escaped, There We're certainly two OF
them, and there may be more. Mr.. Shaw was dis
covered soon after he regaincd consciousness and
| was borne to his home His left ear was cut in
| two and he received severe conclusion of the
brain. For II day or two his recovery was doubted,
| but there are now no fears entertained. In con.
vCrsatiun with tue NelOs correspondent to- day he
said that he could not possibly recognize his as.
salant, but from his dress was certain that he did
not belong to the low order of Mexicans. The
| policemen examined the scene of the outrage us
soon as they were notified but made no attempt
whatever to arrest the criminals. The books,
papers, and letters of Consul Campbell were strewn
all over the floor, and remained in that condition
| until he returned from Laredo. A case of medi-
| cine aud other private property belonging to DR..
| Campbell, in all valued at about $780, We're
| stolen. There was evidently close search made
for some letters or papers, rs every drawer, enve-
ope, and package was opened and contents
strewn around.
The "close search made for the papers," on
which the correspondent evidently relies as
evidence that something more than mere
robbery was intended, is just such search as
robbers of the Mexican type would make for
money and valuables of which they thinl;
every citizen of the United States, especially
those holding diplomatic positions, are pos.
sessed; and the taking Of the case of medi.
cines shows that they were hunting for booty
The entire statement confirms the opinion
expressed by The REPUBLICAN, that it was
merely the effort of some robbers to obtain
valuable booty, and being unexpectedly con-
fronted by Dr. Shaw in tho act of robbery,
they set upon and beat him.
The NerS correspondent in support of hi;
views-that it was an attack upon the United
public feeling in MoXico-goes on to give
evidences of bad feeling in that country
against Americans, citing the editorials oi
German and other papers, which display jeal
ousy of the progress of people of this country
in making inroads nto the trade which the,
have heretofore monopolized. That Mexico
has a population of uneducated, ignorant
people, who have prcudices against thi
country, and who feel like re5enting the
rapid advances which our people ar,
making to control trade heretofore
given to other countries, is not t
be denied but that tho educate
and intelligent people of that country shar
in this prejudice is totally undeserving o
credit. And much less is it to be believe
that the Mexican government will under any
circumstances permit the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of this country to be maltreated o.
insulted by its citizens without prompt an
adequate punishment. The State depart
ment will investigate this matter, and no on
need fear that the honor of this country will
suffer.