No. 45.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Gresham.
United
States Legation,
Bluefields, May 11, 1894.
(Received May 21, 1894.)
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 iii 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 General Lacayo, and in the same
conversation he stated that she had $300 or $400, and had undoubtedly bribed
the jailor 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
General Lacayo from this post.
I am, etc.,
[Page 88]
[Inclosure in No.
45—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 employee 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 will 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,