Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: It is my unpleasant duty to report to you that since last evening, grave political events, involving the loss of property and life, have occurred in this city.
At midnight last night a detachment of the President’s household troops, numbering, it is said, 100 men, rose in mutiny and pronounced for Salnave.
The rallying cry was at once caught up by some hundreds of conspirators, many of them prominent men in town, who, with the troops which were in mutiny, attacked and carried a small depot of arms. With the artillery and muskets thus secured an assault was made on the President’s palace, against which several rounds of solid shot were cast. But by the personal exertions of the President, who put himself at the head of such of his guards as remained faithful, the assault was repelled. Several street fights then occurred, and the insurgents took a small fort which covered one of the entrances to the city. This morning at 8 o’clock the government forces rallied, the fort held by the insurgents was carried, and the day remained with the government.
While these military events were occurring, the rabble took the opportunity to break into and plunder the stores of two or three leading merchants. The sack was complete.
For a time it appeared as if the stores of all the leading merchants might be robbed. The government was too sensible of its own weakness and danger to give any thought to private interests. Happily the storm passed with no mischief to private interests, except that which I have recited.
Eleven persons on the side of the insurgents have been killed. The loss on the side of the government has been very small.
This affair has been brewing for some time. The complete prostration of the financial interests of the republic has carried distress everywhere, and excited against the government the most bitter feeling, of which occasion has been taken to organize revolt. Foreign interests are in a delicate position here. They can expect but little protection from the government, which must provide for itself.
It seems to me important that Admiral Palmer should come here again without delay, if he can do so without detriment to more important interests. I beg that this opinion may be conveyed to the honorable Secretary of the Navy.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.