Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-04-09
A SPECK OF WAR.


The steamer Colon was seized to-day at AS
pinwall by Revolutionists, who demanded
the delivery of the shipment of arms on
board for the Revolutionists. The agents
refused. Conner, local superintendent of the
Pacific Mail Company, was arrested. Later
the captain and purser were placed under
arrest on board. Subsequently Capt. DoWa,
of the Pacific mail, Mr.. Wright, United
States consul, and Land, a lieutenant of the
American man.of-war Ga(ena, were arrested
and marched off to the cuartel. The Amer
lean and English war ships did nothing to
protect foreign interests, because the revo-
iutionary chief declared he would resist
their interference by force. The Americans
are indignant at the insult to the flag and
the outrage to their persons and property.
The troops 60 hence tonight to attack the
revolutionists who, however, are in strong
force, and with the arms from the Colon
will probably be able to control events in
their own way and their own interests
On the following day, United States Con-
sul-General Adamson, at Panama, tele-
graphed to the Secretary of State as follows:
"Preston, the Rebel leader, has seized the Pa,
citic steamship Colon, imprisoned the captain and
purser, the agent of the company, Consul Wrlght
and other Americans. urged Commander Kane,
of the Galena to rescue the citizens and property
at all hazards. Instructions deslred.'
Secretary of State and the Secretary OF
the Navy held a consultation. Secretary
Whitney then ordered, by telegraph, Admi-
raj Jouett, now at New Orleans, to proceed
to Key West with the Tennessee and StCatdr0
and to wait further instructions. An order
was also sent to the commander of the AM-
ance, now at Key West, instructing him to
proceed at once to Aspinwall.
The Secretary also sent to Commander
Kane of the Galena, which is at AspinWall,
and asked why he had not protected Ameri-
can citizens and property in trouble yester-
day. He directed him to afford all protec-
ton possible while the difficulty continues.
The Secretary sent the following instruc-
tions to Commander Kane, of the GGiend:
"You are ordered to Aspinwall to protect
American interests and lives and the property
Of American citizens. All that is implied in
these words is expected to be done by you to
the extent OF the force under your command.
If the Colon has been seized restore her to her
officers if in your power"
Secretary Bayard telegraphed Consul Gen
eral Adamson asking for additional infor-
nation relative to the difficulty.
On the 1st instant, the following dispatch
from Commander Kane of the Galend, was
received by the Secretary of the Navy:
"Aspinwall is in ashes, having been burnt by
the insurgents to escape capture by the Govern
property on the north end of the island and the
Canal property at Crispol are the only buildings
saved. The shipping is safe. | have all my
force on shore protecting property; My ship is
crowded with refugees Thousands are desti-
tute and without shelter"
This intelligence was confirmed by sub
sequent dispatches, and the Aspinwall diff
ficulty was discussed on Wednesday after
noon between Secretaries Bayard and Whit
ney, Mr.. Adee of the State department, and
Commodore Walker being present. Mr..
Bayard then went to see the President, and
an informal meeting of the Cabinet was held
at the White House, at which the matter
was fully discussed.
The conclusion reached at the meeting
was that while the government is not called
upon to take cognizance of internal brois at
Panama, yet it has by treaty guaranteed
free and uninterrupted transit across the
Isthmus. Acting upon this conclusion Sec
retary Whitney tonight telegraphed Or
ders to the commander of the Brooklyn
navy yard to get all available marines at the
yard in readiness for immediate departure,
and to provide also some Gatling guns and
men to handle them. He also sent the fol-
lowing dispatch to j. B. Houston, President
of the Pacific Mail Company at New York:
"The Government proposes to have the tran
sit from Panama to Colon, (AspinwalD open and
uninterrupted in the shortest possible time. In
order that your company may avail itself OF the
advantages of this action few days delay of
your steamer to receive shipment of armed
forces will be necessary. How many can you
take?' --'--
Secretary Whitney has also telegraphed
to Capt. Kane, of the Gale1ao, at Colon (As-
pinwall,) and Consul Adamson, at Panama,
for further information as to the condition of
the railroad and steamship property, and
whether transit across the 1sthmus remains
open. He said that if their replies to these
dispatches confirm the present advices, men
and guns from the Brooklyn navy yard will
be forwarded Immediately. He said further
that the United States steamers alliance
and tS,Catara are now en- route for Aspin-
wall, the alliance from Key West and the
Stratara from New Orleans.