Mr. Whitehouse to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, November 15, 1889.
(Received November 23.)
No. 164.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of
telegrams reporting the arrest at Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, of Captain Stilpen,
of the American schooner Robert Ruff.
The captain was arrested on his return voyage to that port, presumably for
aiding the escape from justice of one Patton, an American citizen,
[Page 612]
who had on the previous voyage
boarded the vessel when some distance from port.
As it is claimed that the persons who requested his surrender did so when the
schooner was some 9 miles from land, it would appear that the captain would
have been justified in considering himself as without the jurisdiction of
Mexico even had a formal demand been made on him.
To-day I left a memorandum of the facts that have reached me with Mr.
Mariscal, and have requested that they be carefully inquired into.
I have also telegraphed for full particulars of the case.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
164.—Telegram.]
Mr. Hoff to Mr.
Ryan.
Vera
Cruz, November 13,
1889.
At Coatzacoalcos they arrested Captain Stilpen, of schooner Robert Ruff. Last voyage an American citizen,
Patton, asked passage home and was taken on board, and 9 miles from land
a boat came alongside the schooner and apparently wanted Patton, but did
not come on board, and no one hindered them. They now arrest captain, as
they say Patton committed assault and battery. Will write
particulars.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 164.]
Mr. Hoff to Mr.
Ryan.
Consulate of the United States,
Vera Cruz, November 13,
1889.
Sir: This morning I received the following
telegram:
“Coatzacoalcos, 13.
“Hoff, Vera Cruz:
“Last voyage Stilpen, Robert Ruff was
boarded outside after sailing by American citizen Patton, who
asked passage home and was taken. Short while after another boat
came up to Ruff; one party in boat
exhibited piece of paper, but did not come on board. He spoke
Spanish, which was not understood by captain. Apparently desired
Patton, but all in boat were in citizen’s clothes. Ruff kept on her course. Patton was
wanted for assault and battery, but had not been arrested.
Stilpen, Ruff now here, and is to be
arrested; what must he do?
“Carpenter.”
I then sent back the following message:
“Shall I send your message to Minister Ryan? Did Stilpen hinder
them from taking Patton? Was he 3 miles from land?
“Hoff.”
I then received the following message:
“Coatzacoalcos, 13.
“Send message to Ryan. Did not hinder them. About 9 miles from
land.”
I then sent the following message:
“Hon. Thomas
Ryan,
“Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary, Mexico:
“At Coatzacoalcos they arrested Stilpen, of schooner Robert Ruff. Last voyage an American
citizen, Patton; asked passage home and was taken on board, 9
miles from land. A boat came alongside the schooner and
apparently wanted Patton, but did not come on board, and no one
hindered them. They now arrest captain, as they say Patton
committed assault and battery. Will write particulars.
“Hoff.”
[Page 613]
Captain Stilpen I have known for a long time and have only known him as
an honest, sober, industrious man, and am satisfied that it was no fault
of his that he is there. In all my dealings with him I always found him
a model captain, and have, in a number of cases, pointed him out as
such. I always found him on board of his vessel attending to his
business, and not in the saloons, but where his business and presence
was wanted. I feel in hopes that you will do all in your power to have
him released.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No. 164.]
memorandum.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, November 15,
1889.
After sailing from Coatzacoalcos, the schooner Robert
Ruff, Captain Stilpen, was boarded outside by an American
citizen called Patton, who asked passage home and was taken on board.
Shortly afterwards another boat came up to the schooner; one of the
parties in this boat exhibited a piece of paper, but did not come on
board. He spoke Spanish, which language the captain does not understand.
It was evident that he wanted Patton, but as all on the boat were in
plain clothing, and the schooner was almost 9 miles from land, the
captain kept on his course. The persons in the boat did not attempt to
board the schooner. On return voyage to Coatzacoalcos. Captain Stilpen
was arrested and is now in jail there. It appers that Patton was wanted
by the authorities for assault and battery, but had not been
arrested.
