No. 619.
Mr. Heap to Mr. Evarts.
Constantinople, August 1, 1880. (Received August 23.)
Sir: I received information this morning that Rev. Mr. Parsons, an American missionary, and his servant, residing at Baghchijuk, a village near the Gulf of Ismid, Sea of Marmora, were found murdered at a distance of five hours’ travel from that village. They were murdered, it is stated, on the 28th ultimo, but their bodies were not discovered until yesterday.
As Mr. Parsons had been for some time past active in the distribution of succor to the sufferers by the famine in the district of Ismid, and as this duty, together with the sale of books, obliged him to be frequently on the road, it is believed that he was engaged in this work of charity when he was assassinated.
As soon as the information reached me this morning I went to Scutari, the residence of Bev. Dr. Wood, who had received the telegram from Ismid giving the news, in the hope of obtaining further particulars, but he had already left for Ismid to attend the funeral of Mr. Parsons. I then proceeded to the Sublime Porte to see the minister of foreign affairs.
The cabinet was in council, but on sending my card to Abeddin Pasha he came out at once. He expressed much concern at the information I gave him, and promised that energetic measures should be taken to discover and apprehend the murderers. Unless the caïmacam of the district has already put his police in pursuit, I fear that the length of time that has elapsed will enable the murderers to get beyond their reach.
I telegraphed to the Department in cipher on my return from the Porte as follows:
Mr. Evarts,
Secretary of State, Washington:
Mr. Parsons, missionary, and servant murdered on 23th, near Ismid, Marmora. Just seen minister of foreign affairs, who promised energetic search for murderers. Parsons was carrying succor to starving people. Vessel of war would be desirable here.
HEAP, Chargé.
The presence of a vessel of war is desirable because of the moral effect it would have. It would be evidence of the solicitude of the United States Government for the protection of its citizens abroad. The sending of the Despatch and Alliance to Volo to demand redress for the comparatively trifling insult to Miss Leyburn, was a convincing proof to the authorities there that not even small offenses would be allowed to pass unredressed.
The Rev. Mr. Parsons had been a resident of the district of Ismid for thirty years. His age, sixty years, his character, zeal for the welfare and compassion for the miseries which have fallen on the people of that region, had made him widely known and greatly beloved and respected.
I am, &c.,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.