Office of the Historian

Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Santiago, November 7, 1891. (Received December 14.)
No. 222.]

Sir: I beg to refer to my No. 220 and have now the honor to inclose a communication from Capt. Schley, of the Baltimore, under date of 3d-instant (inclosure No. 1), transmitting to me copy of a letter which he had addressed to the intendente of Valparaiso, giving names of a number of important witnesses, including several of the crew of the Baltimore, whom he is prepared to produce upon the conditions set forth in your telegram of 1st instant, together with the reply of the intendente.

I also inclose copy of letter dated 6th instant, received from United States consul at Valparaiso (inclosure No. 2), informing me that at the investigation into the case of the German sailor who was stabbed recently, the secretary of the German consulate was only allowed to be present while the companions of the wounded man were giving their evidence and not during the entire investigation.

I have, etc.,

Patrick Egan.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 222.]

Capt. Schley to Mr. Egan.

U. S. S. Baltimore (First Rate),
Valparaiso, November 3, 1891.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith my letter to the intendente as suggested by you in accordance with your instructions and my own upon that point.

I inclose also a translation of the intendente’s reply.

I am, etc.,

W. S. Schley,
Captain Commanding.
[Page 219]
[Inclosure A.]

Capt. Schley to the intendente of Valparaiso.

U. S. S. Baltimore (First Rate),
Valparaiso, November 8, 1891.

Sir: Since my letter of November 1, referring to the matter of furnishing facts in my possession relating to the disturbance of October 16, I have the honor to say that I can now furnish you with a list of several names of persons who are cognizant of facts bearing upon that unfortunate occurrence.

I have the honor to state that as far as my men are concerned, who can testify as to indignities at the hands of the police after arrest, I can only permit them to testify if accompanied by an officer as counsel and allowed to express themselves in their own language openly and not secretly. In this event I would respectfully request that I may be allowed the privilege of reading the evidence given.

I inclose herewith a list of names that will assist the authorities in their investigation:

  • Thomas Riley, keeper “Horse Shoe Bar.”
  • Andrews Löfquist, Valparaiso.
  • Charles Lanctot, Lever & Murphy’s.
  • Edward Parry, Lever & Murphy’s.
  • John Cartley (or Carthy).
  • Capt. Jenkins, Commanding steamer Keweenaw.
  • Dr. Stanley, now on board this ship.
  • J. M. Johnson, armorer, U. S. S. Baltimore,
  • C. G. Williams, apprentice, U. S. S. Baltimore.
  • P. McWilliams, coal-heaver, U. S. S. Baltimore.
  • J. Quigley, coal-heaver, U. S. S. Baltimore.
  • J. W. Talbot, apprentice, U. S. S. Baltimore.
  • J. Butler, apprentice, U. S. S. Baltimore.

There are several others whose addresses are not known at this time, but I will take pleasure in transmitting them to your excellency as soon as I shall obtain them.

I am, etc.,

W. S. Schley,
Captain Commanding.
[Inclosure B.—Translation.]

The intendente of Valparaiso to Capt. Schley.

Intendencia of Valparaiso,
Valparaiso, November 3, 1891.

I have had the honor to receive your note of this date, in which you were pleased to inclose a list of names of persons cognizant of the facts which relate to the unfortunate incident of the 16th of October past.

I am pleased to inform you that your note has been transmitted to the judge of crime, who, having in mind the rules of criminal procedure established by our laws, will decide what to permit in order to satisfy the wishes manifested by you.

God guard you.

J. de Ds. Arlegui.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 222.]

Mr. McCreery to Mr. Egan.

Consulate of the United States,
Valparaiso, November 6, 1891.

Sir: Referring to my communication to you of the 2d instant in reference to the secretary of the German consulate being present at the investigation concerning the stabbing in this city of a seaman belonging to the German vessel of war, upon further inquiry I learn that at the time that said secretary was present only Germans, [Page 220] comrades of the injured man, were examined, but he was not present at the remainder of the investigation of the case referred to, if any further investigation was made.

I am, etc.,

Wm. B. McCreery,
United States Consul.