Mr. Ryan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, February 7, 1890.
(Received February 17.)
No. 238.]
Sir: For the information of the Department, I have
the honor to forward herewith a communication from R. C. Work, imprisoned at
Victoria, Tamaulipas, charged with the murder of Francisco Cruz, to Mr. J.
H. T. King, our consular agent at that place, complaining that he has been
in ill health for many months, and that recently, to wit, on the 14th
ultimo, while still sick in his room, he was “subjected to the painful
persecution of being packed through the street by an armed mob and thrown
into prison,” and declares that such is the state of his health that his
“life is in great danger.”
It would seem that the authorities had long permitted Mr. Work to remain at
his home with his family, pending the criminal action against him, upon the
assumption that he was in ill health, but finding him apparently recovered,
directed him to return to the prison. The consular agent, Mr. King, in
forwarding Mr. Work’s letter, says:
I beg leave to inform you that R. C. Work was out hunting a few days
before being imprisoned, and, as he refused to go to the jail, the
authorities were compelled to convey him on a cot. It required
several men to do this, and I suppose the men who
[Page 628]
carried Mm constitute the armed men
alluded to. However, it was in no sense an armed mob, and, to say
the least, in my opinion, Work showed bad taste in not quietly
walking to the jail, as all know here that for months he has been
walking, riding, and hunting constantly—in fact, enjoying almost
full liberty. Work has been out on medical certificate since June
last, but as he did not seem to appreciate the many privileges
granted him, and even published letters against the Mexican people
here, I infer that the authorities justly concluded they had shown
him too much consideration.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 238.]
Mr. King to Mr.
Ryan.
Consular Agency of the United States,
Victoria, January 25, 1890.
Sir: I have the honor to forward the
accompanying letter from R. C. Work. In doing so I beg leave to inform
you that R. C. Work was out hunting a few days before being imprisoned,
and, as he refused to go to jail, the authorities were compelled to
convey him on a cot. It required several men to do this, and I suppose
the men who carried him constitute the armed mob alluded to. However, it
was in no sense an armed mob, and, to say the least, in my opinion, Work
showed bad taste in not quietly walking to the jail, as all know here
that for months he has been walking, riding, and hunting constantly—in
fact, enjoying almost full liberty.
Work has been out on medical certificate since June last, but, as he did
not seem to appreciate the many privileges granted him, and even
published letters against the Mexican people here, I infer that the
authorities justly concluded they had shown him too much
consideration.
I have, etc.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Work to Mr.
King.
Victoria, January 22,
1890.
Dear Sir: I beg to state to you that on the
14th instant, sick in my room, that I had been previously, under sick
certificate allowed, according to article 63 of the penal code, and
without cause more than a communication from the United States minister,
I have been subjected to the painful persecution of being packed through
the street by an armed mob and thrown into prison. You know well my
condition of health—suffering with asthma and hemorrhoides of the anus.
I insist that you inform Minister Ryan. I have been here since the 14th
and confined to my bed. I here inclose you a petition submitted on the
20th. I can give any kind of a bond. If there was a hospital, I would
make no complaint; but, as I am subject to serious attacks of asthma, my
life is in great danger and without any attention.
Hoping that you will give this your attention,
I am, etc.,
