No. 112.
Mr. Fish
to Mr. Williamson.
Washington, June 8, 1874.
Sir: Your No. 146 (bis) of the date of May 4 is received, and in a large degree anticipates the information asked in my No. 76, of the 26th day of May last.
The transaction to which it refers is among the most remarkable outrages upon the official representative of a foreign government of modern times, and would seem to be accounted for only upon the presumption that the perpetrator of the outrage was crazy. This presumption seems to be strengthened by the course of Mr. James at the time, and by the tenor and the conclusions of the interview between the British charge and the minister of foreign affairs of Guatemala.
Of the agreement reached by these two officials it is not my purpose to enter into any discussion; it is a matter between those two states. But every civilized power is interested to denounce such acts as were committed and to watch the execution of the promises to bring the offender to justice.
You will therefore, without obtrusive interference, let it be known to the authorities of Guatemala that your Government feels that the civilization of the age and the immunity which the intercourse of governments exacts for their representatives in other lands, entitle it to expect the stern visitation of the law upon the perpetrator of the violence committed upon a consular representative of a government in treaty relations with Guatemala. And you will carefully report the result of any proceedings against the offending commandante.
Your own conduct at the time of the occurrence appears to have been prompt and discreet.
Mr. Magee’s letter to Mr. James is a warm tribute to his course, and, in connection with Mr. James’s own account of the affair, shows the latter to have acted efficiently and with good intents. But it is to be regretted that Mr. James should, even from a generous impulse, have been led into offering the protection of the American flag to one fresh from the perpetration of such a flagrant and brutal outrage as that of Commandante Gonzalez.
The American flag does not float at home for the protection from justice of villains and outlaws, and it should not abroad be tendered by the representatives of the Government for that purpose to those who are flying from the just wrath of outraged law and decency.
I am, &c.,