You will note in the report the usual experience in all these disorders, the
levy of forced loans, and the violent methods of imprisonment and personal
violence to exact them. As stated in my No. 1074, of the 23d ultimo, the
repetition of such occurrences is to be expected, in view of the approaching
presidential election and the unsettled political condition of the country.
* * *
[Inclosure in 1089.]
Mr. Turner to Mr.
Strother.
United
States Consulate,
La
Paz, December —,
1879.
Sir: When I wrote my last dispatch, November
15, I, with everybody else, supposed that our revolutionary troubles
were over, but the facts go to show that nothing is more uncertain than
affairs in Mexico.
[Page 728]
The troops, over 100 in number, sallied in pursuit of the “pronunciados,”
hut these, not more than 70 in number, and most of them rancheros, and
poorly armed, led them into an ambuscade, and through the stupidity,
treachery, or cowardice of their officers, defeated them, killing 20 or
30 and taking the rest, with very few exceptions, prisoners. The news of
this reached La Paz on the night of the 19th ultimo, and early on the
morning of the 20th, General Carbo and the governor commenced evacuating
the place. Before 12 m. they had everything, including all the federal
and most of the municipal officers, on board the gunboat Demócrata, and
they left the town at the mercy of the “pronunciados,” and without any
government whatever.
On the 22d, General Marquez came in and took peaceable possession of
everything. On the 24th, Marquez levied a “préstamo” of $6,000 upon the
merchants, and, they not paying promptly, put them, or their head clerks
(in the absence of their principals), in prison, without food or water,
until they came to terms.
On the 30th the Demócrata and Mexico came into Pichilingue and blockaded
the port strictly, permitting nothing to enter. On the 4th instant the
Demócrata left, we supposed, for Mazatlan. On the 8th the Mexico came up
and anchored in front of the town, and the “pronunciados” fired upon her
with muskets. The ship returned the fire with musketry and a few shells
and canister-shot from her 4-inch rifles, by which some little damage
was done to buildings, one man killed, and one woman wounded. The next
morning some more firing, but no harm done, and the firing soon ceased
and ail was quiet the rest of the day.
On the morning of the 10th, the Mexico returned to Pichilingue, and in
the afternoon the Demócrata went into Pichilingue and anchored.
This afternoon another “préstamo” was called for, which some paid and
some did not; those who did not being imprisoned.
This morning we hear that the regular steamer will probably not touch
here, and having an opportunity to forward this to Mazatlan by private
hands I avail myself of it.
Much suffering already exists here among the poor, as business of all
kinds is suspended, and unless the government soon takes measures to
relieve us, La Paz is going to be completely ruined.
I am, &c.,
