Year: 1868

COLOMBIA.





SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.


Outra&es ON Foreigners In Panama-The Corr
respondent Of the Herald ShOt-Administrn-
tration Of Justice ON the Isthmus-The Duty
Of the United states Government.


PANAMA, March !, 1868.


The long continued and long suffered i'll treatment
OF foreigners the part of the authorities has at
last become so enormous as to be borne no longer
The thieving propensites, petty spites, hatred OF
strangers superior to them In race character and in
telligence-in lne all lower passions of low natures
combine to make the conduct OF the ruling powers
perfectly intoerable. Foreigners resident on the
Isthmus have in very few instances given cause to
complaint and in all such fully atoned for their
denquencies; but far oftener have they overlooked
downright insults and aggressons for the love of
peace and In an honest endeayor to maintain peace
ful and pleasant relations with the local authorities
and the whole native population But their for
bearance has been interpreted cowardice and the
silence Of their governments as weakness; and con-
sequently we are now situated as to either take
the law In our own hands or to emgrae, in case
people should even not step forward TO protect
u.s. sincerely hope that the press will bring the
matter before the government in such manner as
to cut through the red tape and force the chosen
protectors OF the people abroad as well as at home,
to do more than shrug their shoulders and consign





basket.


Since the massacre Of 1855, in which savage lust
Of murder and plunder ran riot, things have not
been SO bad as they are are present could I'LL
pages with the recital Of where foreigners have
been murdered, swindled, cheated in all sorts OF
manners, without any punishment OF the guilty
parties or any redress for the wronged ones. But I
shall only confne myself to few illustrating
the different ways Of njurng American citizens, ''in
body or estate' without reference to Spanards,
Italians, Frenchmen &C., who have similar tale Of
their own to tell. II were to go back to former ad-
minstrat0ns, would have bushels Of cases to refer
to- but the limited space c0mpels me to mention only
the occurrences Of the last few months. Mr. Stern
bergh OF the Oldest and most respected residents
has difficulty with native family. Two of the young
Of With bundle in each and One o the
gallant youths gives him blow In the face he being
against two young stout fellows, turns to run toward
the hotel; then the other hero pulls his pistol and
shoots him In the back. Complaint Is lodged against
the cowardly wouldbe assassins; they are not kept
Consul who endeavors to watch the case, is hum
bugged by lying promises Of the authorities, who
and 10 Keep the % consul informed Of ali the pre- proceed
ings, and one fine morning 1t leaks out that several
days ago, without anybody knowing of 1t, jury had
been packed and disposed Of the case, Of course
acquitting both scoundrels. Against all common
sense and legal usage the jury has not confined itself
regular sentence, with arguments. The logic and
justice shown In this sentence remarkable as
S an o 90 nsze Sr ss tine ds e
states that of the brothers has nstigated the
other TO shoot and the latter has fired the shot at the





hall OF the culpabiity and for one half OF crime
he cannot be punished


Mcbride, and belonging to the United States steamer
Suwanee, In our harb0r, was cruelty beaten by four
men of the police robbed Of sls and left bleeding
Of the police found the poor fellow and arrested him
for drunkenness, although they knew very well the
circumstances; but they wanted to satisfy their gen.
eral hatred against foreigners, and especially the
men OF the United States naval service, or they
wished to extort some more money from him or his
A a
easy TO get any man out OF the police JAIL whatever
may have been his offence.


But it Is time that should get to the last case,
where highly respected citizen Of the United States
made the innocent victim OF the almost incredible
impudence Of the rising native population On the
evening Of February 25 Mr.. G. Z. Fawcett, the well
and fav0rably known correspondent OF the HERALD
his accustomed drive when not far from the city he
overlook two native lads on horseback One Of these
turned or 30 as to let Mr. Fawcetts buggy pass, but
the other went straight on and the consequence
that in spite Of Mr.. Fawcetts endeavOrs to rein In
his high spirited horse the buggy struck the horse OF
young Paredes which is the name OF the young i'm
pudent. Mr.. Fawcett stopped the horse to II any
damage had been done, when Paredes rode up TO
him and deliberately struck him across the breast
with a riding whip Mr.. Fawcett did not return the
blow, as he would only have eopardiZed his life,
seeing that his assaant was armed with pistol and
residence, the Grand Hotel, Mr. Fawcett engaged In
q game OF billiards, when he saw the young native
walk up to him, accompanied by helpmate, In
a threatening attitude and with his hands in
his pocket where he was known to carry
"Southerner." Fawcett at once laid down his
forced him down on the noor lie would have
contented himself with taking the pistol from the
aggressor, but just then somebody tapped him on
the shoulder and spoke to him. He invountarily let
20 his hold, Paredes took advantage OF this and shot
him from below, the ball taking effect the inside
of the thigh, causing ugly wound and penetrating
so far upwards that the surgeon has been unable to
find 1t. The wounded man was conveyed to his
room and the woud-be assassin. OF course made his
escape. The Prefect OF Panama, instead OF taking
measures to apprehend him, went to Mr.. Fawcett's
room, accompanied by the attorney of the depart
ment and an apothecary who dubs himself doctor.
All the foreigners present there, including the
respectable men the lshmus advised Mr.. Fawcett
him bit, but only subject him to annoyance and
trouble. They also told the Prefect that all
trials where foreign lives or interests concerned
nothing but farces and that they did not wish
Mr.. Fawcett TO take any legal proceedings against
the criminal, but intended 10 bring the matter before
"a higher tribunal Since then Mr.. Fawcett has been
annoyed twice more by the authorities, who have
even threatened to have the wound opened and
probed by physician of their choice, although the
surgeon attending the wounded man has already
given hts testimony. In the meantime the culprit
together with his friends, boastng Of having again
inundated the "estrangeros.n Mr.. Fawcctts
friends, and other foreigners who have openly de-
nonnced the shameful outrages are constantly
the impunity they enjoy make u necessary for every
respectable foreigner to go about armed and avoid
being alone In the street at night


now that H speedy and efficient remedy is not ap-
piled II will be downright impossible to live on the
Isthmus. President Olarte was cynical enough after
the brutal murder committed at Aspinwail to tell the
foreigners that II they did not like the adninistra
tion Of justice here they might leave-a very III
mark OF the ruler Of country which owes every
thing TO the foreigners and whose government is
nearly entirely supported by, foreigners


The government Of the United States has, OF all
foreign governments the greatest Interest ut stake