Mr. Baker to Mr.
Gresham.
United
States Legation,
Bluefields, May 11, 1894.
(Received May 21, 1894.)
No. 268.]
Sir: I desire to submit to you a letter from
Gen. C. A. Lacayo in regard to the escape from prison in this city of
Norberto Argüello, who rests under the charge of deliberately murdering
an American citizen named William Wilson, at Rama, on the night of the
22d of March last. I also submit three affidavits made by three
reputable young men personally known to me, going to show that on the
day the prisoner walked away from the jail he was seen both in the
forenoon and the afternoon lounging outside of the jail unguarded. His
cell door was open on the two occasions referred to, as was the outside
door of the jail, and the prisoner went and came at his pleasure. A
woman, known as his mistress, had been permitted to come and go with
perfect freedom, and she had, it is stated to me on good authority, been
with him for the past several days. This last fact was admitted last
evening by Gen. Lacayo, and in the same conversation he stated that she
had $300 or $400, and had undoubtedly bribed the jailer to allow him to
escape.
* * * * * * *
I now most respectfully submit that the dignity of the United States
makes it incumbent upon the Government to demand in unequivocal terms
the removal of Gen. Lacayo from this post.
I am, etc.,
[Page 468]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
General Lacayo
to Mr. Baker.
Bluefields, May 10,
1894.
Honorable Minister: Last night, between 7
and 8 o’clock, I was very disagreeably surprised by receiving notice
of the escape of two prisoners from the jail of the city; and,
inquiring who they were, was informed that one of them was Norberto
Argüello, accused of the murder of the American, William Wilson.
This incident is very disagreeable to me, as I gave very explicit
orders to the governor of police of this town to keep the criminal
in close confinement.
This employé assures me that the orders he gave the jailer could not
be more clear. Immediately on receiving this information I called
the governor of police with the object of employing all necessary
activity for the capture of Argüello, and to return him to jail.
There are enough people assisting the police to capture the criminal
by guarding the various points in the bush and the outlets close to
the city, and to intercept his passage to another point.
Besides, I have written to the authorities of the Republic in the
interior, so that the criminal will be captured wherever found.
In this incident I have fears that there is a hidden hand, an enemy
of Nicaragua, lent as an instrument to raise difficulties with a
friendly Government.
You must believe me, and in the name of my Government I promise that
Argüello shall be tried according to our laws and in accordance to
justice.
The case was following its course. The criminal has been examined,
and after his confession of faults, and on Friday, the 11th instant,
was to have been taken to Rama for final trial before a tribunal of
justice.
With my highest considerations, I have the honor to sign myself,
