[Inclosure in No. 235.]
Mr. Voight to Mr.
Porter.
Consulate of the United States,
Manila, September 23,
1887.
No. 186.]
Sir: In my No. 182 I had the honor to advise
the departure of Rev. E. T. Doane for Ascension Island in a Spanish
transport which yesterday reached this on her return trip, with the
unexpected news of there having occurred at Ponape, on July 3 last, a
general and bloody revolt of the natives against the Spanish, resulting
in the complete rout and killing of the latter to the number of perhaps
fifty, including the governor who seized and deported Mr. Doane. Women,
children, and the capuchins, six, had taken refuge, in time, on a
partially dismantled but yet well-armed Spanish receiving ship in yonder
harbor. I understand, but can not vouch for it,
[Page 410]
Mr. Doane was landed out there among his people,
the natives, who regard him as their father; and never would have
attempted the fearful insurrection had he been left undisturbed in their
midst. That much, I happen to know, is acknowledged here at
headquarters, where everything now is bent on taking summary revenge on
those islanders through a powerful expedition.
The said returned transport brought up a few prisoners and some ladies
besides such of the Spaniards as were able to escape, among them the
officer previously stationed and who was to become the acting governor
in place of the unbalanced official who finally paid with his life for
the madness of his short but singular career. But not a word have I had
from friend Doane, who evidently has not been allowed to fulfil his
promise of reporting to me by letter. And in this scanty interval and
considering the present excitement of everybody here, I have as yet
deferred applying to this captain-general with reference to Mr. Doane
and the rest of our American missionaries at Ascension; but shall in a
day or two take steps to obtain the desired information, which will be
duly communicated in my next.
I do not know whether, upon my dispatch No. 177, of July 9, the
Department has deemed it expedient to order a naval visit to Ponape; but
as there is certain now to be carnage and turmoil until the Spanish in
their own fashion have repossessed themselves; and our little band of
Christian pioneers in the island may become again sorely pressed, I have
to-day addressed a communication to Rear Admiral Ralph Chandler, Japan,
embodying the foregoing facts, and soliciting his immediate aid in
behalf of our countrymen missionaries who, I feel confident, are
anxiously looking for such indispensable assistance.
Thus far written, the Portuguese consul called to apprize me that beside
the principal prisoner, a Portuguese, brought up from Ascension, and who
is sure to be shot, he heard of there likewise being an American in the
lot, lodged in our common jail; and wanted me to take joint action in
the matter. Although I lack official notice so far, I shall this
afternoon visit the jail, in order to ascertain for myself the truth of
that statement; and, if I find it correct, exert myself according to my
consular obligations, in his behalf with these authorities.
I have, etc.,
