Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1888, Part II

No. 814.
Mr. Whitehouse to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, October 29, 1888. (Received November 5.)

No. 175.]

Sir: I am in receipt of a note from Señor Mariscal, informing me that he has been advised of the arrest, on the 5th instant, at Muzquiz, Coahuila, of Gulie Shields and Isaac Wilson, whose extradition had been asked for in compliance with instructions in your Nos. 87, 98, and 110.

Consequently I to-day telegraphed you as follows:

Men mentioned in your No. 110 are under arrest at Muzquiz, Coahuila, since 5th instant.

I have also telegraphed Mr. Rankin, the United States marshal at San Antonio, Texas, the following:

Men under arrest in Muzquiz, Coahuila, since 5th instant. Needs prompt action.

As these men were arrested as long ago as the 5th instant (although Señor Mariscal only notified this legation under date of the 27th, his note being received to-day) and can only legally be held for seventy-two hours, there may be some difficulty in the proceeding. Should any arise, I will make another application to Señor Mariscal on the arrival of Mr. Rankin, unless it is deemed advisable for Mr. Rankin to proceed direct to Muzquiz, as it is probable the matter can now be arranged by a requisition from the governor of Texas to his colleague in Coahuila.

I am, etc.,

H. Remsen Whitehouse.

[Inclosure in No. 175.—Translation.]

Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Whitehouse.

Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, October 27, 1888.

Mr. chargé d’affaires: Referring to the note from your legation dated September 1 ultimo, relative to the extradition of Gulie Shields and Isaac Wilson, I have the honor to advise you that, in a report dated the 5th instant, the mayor of the town of Muzquiz informed the governor of the State of Coahuila as follows:

“The Seminole negroes named Gulie Shields and Isaac Wilson, whose arrest you were pleased to order in your note No. 8649, of the 22d of last September, have been captured on the Nacimiento reservation, and are to be found in the public jail at this place. While advising you thereof, for the information of yourself, I should state that the public jail does not furnish many elements of security for the detention of prisoners of any importance, and it would therefore be advisable that the extradition of the aforesaid negroes should be effected as speedily as possible.”

While communicating the above to you permit me to call your attention to the necessity of making formal requisition for the extradition of the aforesaid parties under the provisions of the respective treaty.

I protest, etc.,

Ignacio Mariscal.