Mr. Ryan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, March 5, 1890.
(Received March 17.)
No. 255.]
Sir: In connection with your No. 206 of February
20, 1890, in regard to the case of Capt. J. H. Stilphen, of the American
schooner Robert Ruff, I beg to forward, for your
consideration, notes from the foreign office, with translations, relative
thereto; also copy of a communication from Mr. J. D. Hoff, our consul at
Vera Cruz, stating that the case of Captain Stilphen had been removed to
Vera Cruz, for reexamination, to the district court.
You will observe that the Mexican Government insists that Captain Stilphen
was within its jurisdiction (2½ miles from shore) when he aided the escape
of Joseph Patton.
I am, etc.,
[Page 631]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
255.—Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to Mr.
Ryan.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, February 13,
1890.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of Your Excellency’s note of the 10th instant, wherein you were
pleased to communicate to me the desire of Capt. J. H. Stilphen, of the
schooner Robert Ruff, that the proceedings
conducted against him for having assisted in the escape from
Coatzacoalcos of one Patton may be speedily terminated, and that the
bond he gave in order to be allowed to sail may be canceled.
In the said note Your Excellency refers to the note of December 10,
wherein I promised to communicate to you the result of investigations
set on foot touching this matter.
In reply, I would state to Your Excellency that a few days since I
received a communication from the governor of the State of Vera Cruz
covering a report from the superior tribunal of that State, in which it
is stated that the judge of first instance at Minatitlan having been
found incompetent to hear the proceedings relative to the wound received
by Manuel Alor, and which bears on the matter of the responsibility of
Captain Stilphen, the case was referred to the second federal court of
the district of Vera Cruz for a hearing and action.
As soon as the result of the said proceedings is communicated to this
department I shall have the satisfaction of transmitting them to Your
Excellency.
I renew, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 255.]
Mr. Hoff to Mr.
Ryan.
Consulate of the United States,
Vera Cruz, February 15,
1890.
Sir: I received yours of 8th, and at the same
time a telegram from J. H. Stilphen saying his case had been removed to
Vera Cruz for reexamination, to the district court, and I accordingly
went to the court and saw the clerk, and he said it was there and under
examination, but when it would be decided it was out of his power to
tell.
The captain seems very impatient, as he has his $200 bail up and he wants
it back in his pocket again. He says the court at Minatitlan say they
find nothing against him. Captain has sailed from Minatitlan for New
Orleans at present.
Yours truly,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
255.—Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to Mr.
Ryan.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, February 27,
1890.
Mr. Minister: In my note dated the 10th of
December last I had the honor to inform Your Excellency that the ideas
set forth in your legation’s note of the 7th of the same month seemed
based upon information which did not accord with the particulars of the
case on file in this department, as touching the position of the
American schooner Robert Ruff, when, on starting
from Coatzacoalcos in August of last year, it was overtaken by the gig
of the captain of the port with a judicial warrant for the arrest of
Joseph Patton, a fugitive from justice.
The truth of the occurrences having been investigated, as I promised Your
Excellency in my said note, it transpires that the said schooner was 2½
marine miles distant from the coast when the captain’s yawl overtook it.
For, while it was true that upon leaving the port the schooner had gone
further out to sea, it afterwards tacked or maneuvered in order to reach
the boat carrying the fugitive, and this movement brought it further
inland.
I embrace the opportunity to renew, etc.
