No. 712.
Mr. Heap
to Mr. Blaine.
[Extract.]
United
States Legation,
Constantinople, May 5, 1881.
(Received May 23.)
No. 6.]
Sir: I have just received a communication from the
Rev. J. E. Pierce, an American missionary residing at Baghchejik, a village
near Ismid, the residence also of the late Rev. Mr. Parsons, who was
assassinated in its vicinity in July last.
This letter, copy of which is inclosed, gives the details of his robbery by a
band of Circassian brigands who infest the country and render the highways
so insecure as to stop all travel except in large and well-armed
parties.
I have addressed a note on the subject to his excellency, the minister for
foreign affairs, of which I inclose a copy, and shall call on him on Monday
next, the 9th instant, the first day on which he can be seen, and urge on
him to have prompt and energetic measures taken for the security of life and
property in the provinces.
The murderers of Mr. Parsons were, after some delay, duly tried, convicted,
and sentenced. Two, I am informed, died in prison, but the third and
principal convict, who was condemned to death, still awaits the execution of
his sentence, which there appears no present probability of being carried
out.
Had these sentences been promptly executed, the lesson would probably have
prevented much crime in those lawless districts.
* * * * * * *
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 6.]
Mr. Pierce to Mr.
Heap.
Baghchejik, near Ismid, May 3, 1881.
Dear Sir: I wish to inform you of an incident
in my experience, and wish your counsel and aid. While going, on the
30th ultimo, from this place to Kourdbelery, accompanied by three men,
at a point on the mountain about three hours from Aislembeg, I was
attacked by eight armed Circassians. One of them, putting a revolver to
my face, ordered me to dismount; I obeyed, as did our whole party. They
then took from us our money, watches, &c. As we had but about 5
liras (£5) in money and two watches, they were not satisfied, but
proceeded to threaten us with death if we did not give them more. Two of
our number they beat severely; but after searching our persons and
baggage three times and finding nothing more of value, they tied us to
trees and left. We were subject to their abuse and threats about two
hours, during which time they used every means to make us think they
would kill us.
We were afterwards liberated by a Turk, when we returned to our homes,
our business unaccomplished. A few weeks ago, two young men, natives of
Aislembeg, were murdered at that place, and their horses stolen; and
such things are of frequent occurrence. There is no security on any road
going from this village, and the same insecurity prevails in all the
Adabazar and Geiveh districts. This reign of terror has continued for
three years. The people of the whole region are terribly oppressed and
harassed by this state of things. It is just nine months since my
colleague, Mr. Parsons, was brutally murdered only five hours from this
village. What am I to do? Must I remain shut up in my house, neglecting
all my business? Must the business, interests of all this region remain
paralyzed, as they have been for three years, because the government
does not protect us from a few Circassian ruffians? If you can do
anything for our relief I beg you to do so; and will you please advise
me what I ought to do in the circumstances? Shall I relinquish my
business, or may I hope for protection from the government?
Very, &c.,
[Page 1179]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
6.—Translation.]
Mr. Heap to
M. Pacha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, May 5,
1881.
No. 38.]
Sir: It is my duty to communicate to your
excellency a fact of the most painful urgency.
A citizen of the United States, the Rev. J. E. Pierce, residing at
Baghchejik, near Ismid, traveling peaceably on business, accompanied by
three men in his service, was attacked on the highway, at three hours’
journey from Baghchejik, by a band of Circassian brigands, who robbed
them and treated them brutally. The malefactors tied them to trees,
where they remained until delivered by a Mussulman.
It is in this district that the Rev. Mr. Parsons was cruelly murdered on
the 28th of July, 1880, and his assassins, although tried and condemned,
one to death, and the other two to fifteen years’ hard labor, are still
unpunished.
It is to be believed that if the sentences given against the murderers of
Dr. Parsons had been executed, this punishment would have served as a
salutary lesson, and would have prevented many other crimes and
offenses.
I bring this new circumstance to your excellency’s knowledge with the
firm conviction that you will be pleased to have the necessary measures
taken for the arrest, trial, and punishment of the criminals, in order
to forestall, by a prompt and efficacious example, more dreadful
outrages.
I hand you herewith the translation of a letter that I have just received
from Mr. Pierce, dated the 3d instant, giving the details of the
outrage.
Relying on your excellency’s well-known justice and equity, I beg you to
accept, etc.
