Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-28
CASE FOR DIPLOMATS
An American is Roughly
Treated by BraZlIIans.
THE u. S. CONSUL SCORED.
Protest Against the Hauling Down
Of Old Glory Unheedcd.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2s.-The schooner
Grace Andrews, Captain John Andrews,
Of Thomaston, Me-, arrived here yesterday
from Natal, Brazil.
Captain Andrews tells a story Of having
been molested by the government troops
at Brazil, and, despite his protestations
and displaying OF the American flag, he
and a number Of his men were cast into a
dungeon and kept prisoners for 80 hours
without food. American Consul W. I.
Towne. he says, treated his complaint In
most contemptuous manner.
The ship was az Concaho on Sept. 3,
when the captain found IL necessary 10 go
20 Rio on business, and he took the
steamer for that port. On his arrival he
started out for the home of his brother,
J.. 5. Andrews. who IL in business in Rio,
and tells this story Of what transpired:
Unnecessary Arrests.
81 was halted by Psixoto's soldiers and
held captive that night, but managed
early the next morning 10 get 10 a hotel.
Two days later started back for my YES
sci, and on reaching there / was informed
by my consignee that owing to the revo-
luton 1t would be impossible TO load my
to return to Rio and cancel the charter.
81 started for Rio in my ships small
boat, being careful TO have the merchant
flag In tho stern so that ! might be dis
tinguished from the insurgent or Bra
Gillian boats. This was necessary, as
Mello's forces had captured the steam
boats. which were the only means OF
transportation between the two points.
I took with me an interpreter, n Portu-
guese sailor, and two colored sailors,
Edward Tasker and Edward Washington.
A fresh breeze was blowing and in six
hours we were within hailing distance OF
a small settlement the name of which |
cannot remember, but as we approached
IL saw hundreds Of soldiers running
toward the beach, all centering at the
point where had TO pass.
Hauled Down the Flag.
~ hoisted the American flag, but they
shouted In Spanish what my interpre,e ,er
said was; IF you don't stop, we will shoot
you.' The wind was blowing hard and
we had to turn the boat in peculiar way
to prevent jibing her. The soldiers
thought we were trying to get away, so
they took aim at us and fired several
shots. then hauled the boat around and
drove her upon the beach among them
and they sprang into the water after US
and placed MS under arrest.
"Then they hauled down the American
flag aud placed US In a barrack for several
hours. was then taken 20 Rio Janeiro,
while my men were held Mt Santa Cruz.
After reaching there | was taken before
the chief Of police, who recommitted me
to prison, without any food whatever. /
protested against such treatment, and
begged for something 20 eat, aud finally
was sent ont in charge Of detective to
procure food. When ! got the detective
clear Of tho prison knew was rs goo.
man as he was, neither OF us beiug armed,
and ! forced him TO permit me to see the
American consul
"Not Fit 20 BE Consul
ave reached Mr.. Towne's Office, and
when explained to him the unjust man
ner Ia which myself and men, who were
still imprisoned at Santa Cruz, had been
treated, he accompanied me back to the
chief Of police, and after some argument
was released.
81 made long report TO the consul
about the pulling down OF the American
flag from my boat, but he paid no atten-
tion TO It,"
Captain Andrews says Towne Is not fit
to represent the United States In Brazil
"He Is no American" says the skipper.
While visiting his brother at Rio, Captain
Andrews says several stray shots during
the time Of the bombardment went di-
rectly through the walls of the house and
demolished some Of tbs furniture.