New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-22
PRISONERS ON THE ISTHMUS.
AMERICANS WATCHED BY ARMED GUARDS.
CAPTAIN Dow's STORY OF HIS ARREST AND IN
PRIsONMENT AT PANAMA.


WASHINGTON, April 21.-Mr Whitney has re-
ceived from the president of the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company detailed and graphic account OF the outragss
committed upon American officials and private citizens
by the Panama insurgents. It is written by Captain
Dow, the companys agent at Colon. who OF tho
principal sufferers The main features OF the
are follows:
"On the Goth ultimo, received official letter dated
the previous day from the sub-secretary OF
Panama informing that he had received instructions
from the Citizen President TO inform that delivery
OF materials to cousgnees either Colon Pana-
ma, no matter who they might be- is absolutely pro-
hibited. and that, should such articles OF By
next subsequent steamer my company keep
strictly in deposit advising the Government ofmy having
done To this letter replied the day that would
comply with the order as far possible. On March 27
Irecciyed official letter from the SecretaryGenersl
OF the Citizen CommandernC OF the Third Division
informing me of the resignation of Dr. Arosemena
President Of the State and that he, the Commandcrn
Chief by decree Of Goth inst, the position Of
civil and military chief OF the State and
receipt OF my communication OF the 26th inst, and IN
forms that in the rebels to take by force any
munitions Of from steamers may ask
protection of the American French vessels of In
the Port Of Colon On the 30th ultimo tho Colon made
fast TO the wharf, and as soon after as possible ex-
amined her freight lists for aud NUM-
tions and found several smaller shipments
or Aspinwsll, shipment of tytwo packages marked
Coursa not to deliver these any other aud muni
tions OF from the ship without orders from tho
United States Consul or Captain Kane OF the United
States steamer Galena AT 1l:3o M left on the
train for Panama. On arrival at Manni Station I
ceved the following message from General superintend
ent Burt Panama Railroad Company at Aspinwal:
Captain Dow-An armed force of Prestan's has taken
possession OF Pacific Mail wharf Connor Is arrested
down at the fore of the Colon. attempted to go on
wharf and was repulsed Captain Kane, OF the Gaena,
and the Commander Of the British vessel (gunbOat
Lily gs & les =, Office & 20 60 on board snip and take az
aboTers have been driven from wharf says your
captain aud pur;er are locked up on board the ship
viii let yeu know further 1 get 1t. Win
you return herel
"To this last replied In the affirmative and at once
transferred myself the train for Aspinwa arriving
there 230 p. Shortly before p m., Prestan and
three four of his officers rode up and
dsmounting entered my office and asked for me. On
presenting myself he took out ndorsed bill OF lad
Ing OF shipment OF thirty packages OF and smmu
milton marked NJ aud consigned 10 order and asked me
order their delivery from the. steamer Colon,
at wharf, saw from the house. with her
ensign the 0re Union down. Irepied to Prestan that
had authority to deliver the shipment without
order from the United States Consul or Commands
Kane of the Galena He then called four soldiers and
officer me, which Mr. Burt general superntend
OF the Panama Railroad Company, who was present.
begged he would do at least until he Mr Burt went
to the steamer Colon to II be could find where the
packages slowed. told Prestan willing TO
deliver up the shipment but had been directed by the
United States Consul, Mr. Wright, under instructions
from the United states Consul-General at Panama,
not TO deliver tine goods under any Circumstances.
after Mr. Burt left for the wharf u sCOnsu Wrgha
with Lieutenant Judd aud Ensign Richardson Of the u
g. s. Galena in the gate and to the piazza where
standing with Prestan and his officers aud before
had hardly time to put the question Mr.. Wright u 8.
Consul replied that he instructed by hssuperor TO
tell deliver the arms. then turned to Prestan
and remarked that under such Instructions GER
tanly would decline order the delivery OF the
Prestan then called squad Of his soldiers standing
arrest AID In spite OF their remontra ices
arrested also Mr. Consul Wright, Lieutenant Judd and
Ensign Richardson. As we approached the gate looking
FROM the yard OF the companys house into the strees
Presan halted for moment and in excited and angry
voice looking in the direction OF the Galena said to his
officers and the guard in Spanish: The first gun you
hear fired from that vessel shoot those men, In view
of pleasant recommendation suggested to Prestan
that had better allow at least OF the officers OF
Galenl to go board aud report captain
Kane, to which he consented and Mr. Richardson
released. As none OF our party bat myself heard
Prcstans order, | mentioned it TO Ensign Richardson
and told him TO tell Captain Kane that perhaps the lives
OF party depended his prudent action. Mr. Rich
ardson then left aud marched each with a
soldier either nand in irregular order to the caabo
the barricades and stairs where our
friend Mr.. COnn0r had been since IL o'clock noon.
Chairs brought and after superficial search OF our
persons relieving Lieutenant Judd of his
sword and belt which they hung on peg in the same
room, guards with loaded rifles stationed at
door OF the room and another on the rear balcony
house feet distant which commanded the room
through the only window II IT, L remarked TO Mr..
ConnOr, after our first greeting. that he had been
arrested FOR carrying out my Instructors an had
returned to share with him the consequences. it is
hardly necessary 70 that Mr. Connor was pleased 10
the additional
"We had been in the room about an hour when Presan
and his interpreter aud LETT bani nah. Du a IL Uhs
fellow aiterwarJ captured aud kiied III and
taking seat alongside of me, Prestan ssked why
would deliver the that he held the bill Of
lading and tue freight had been paid. replied tuat
informally aDon the hill of ading neither
the agent nad received ouer jroin tue civil
and military authorities OF my Government at AsI inwall
not to deliver packages they conraband Of
war undertook deliver them WITHOUT author
iy OF the United states Consul 1 would nave force OF
my own country mon resist, winch would find could
personally oppose with any greater chance 0f success
than could the force which placed me where was. ls
was think during this conversation that Prestan SAID
il ne attacked he would hre the city and massacre
all forelgners that he would astohsa the cviiiIed
world. TO this made no reply.
in the meantime Mr.. Ducaya seated near NJ.
sSs an crsr for The 5eyery Of tue pacSases
finally the only means OF getting the party released.
depart closely followed ho weyer by Prestan aud several
officers and soldiers of the company's wharf Arrive.
there gave the order 10 Captain Lima OF the Colon
his TO and break out Tor the packages anu soos
the work was under way.
Before reaching the wha:f about $50 p. ~. LEX
tenant judd allowed 10 20 on board the Gal na and
Consul Wright board the Colon After the wOrs On
the shp was started returned my Office Mr.. Coanor
tue wharf the steamer directing snd
overseeing the work Of dscharging. but under no
restraint During all this the and Tor Two or three
hours previous to my return 10 Aspinwal, the COM
panys wharf aud yard in possession OF Prestans
officers and sol iiers OF which there about loo.
About 6:30 p. III. q movement Oh the Galeua as II
manning boats excited the suspicious OF Prestan who
sent ar officer aud soldiers my oice TO ask me TO
return to wharf On reaching the end Of the wharf
Ira aiial my NJ fluQ a Dts
Gaena which lying at anchor not over 800 yards
away ahead OF the Colon and told me to remain
wharf, Nv Connor having already been told tue sana
before | got tbere so here were again prisoners,
and this time Mr. Connor aud alone, as Mr.. Consul
Nrlnhfh had IN hnar he a