The report mentioned in paragraph 10 of this inclosure has not been
received.
[Inclosure.]
Commander Heyerman to Mr. Herbert.
U.
S. S. Kearsarge, Third Rate,
Azua Bay, Santo Domingo, January 2, 1894.
Sir: In obedience to the Department’s
orders of December 20, 1893, after careful investigation I have the
honor to make the following report of the recent outbreak at Azua,
Santo Domingo, and of the firing on a boat of the American schooner
Henry Crosby by Government soldiers, and
the wounding of two men of that schooner:
1. On December 3, 1893, Gen. G. Campo, governor of Azua, was
assassinated by revolutionists. Measures were taken to prevent the
escape of the assassins from the country, and strict orders were
given to watch every vessel that touched on the coast.
2. On December 9, 1893, the American schooner Henry
Crosby, of Bangor, Me., A. F. Stubbs, master, from New
York, for the port of Azua, loaded with machinery and railway
material, consigned to Mr. John Hardy, United States consular agent
at Azua, anchored at Puerto Viejo, which is not a port of entry. The
schooner hoisted American colors and signaled for a pilot. No
customs officials visited the schooner, and the captain was
undecided if he were at the seaport of Azua. On the morning of
December 10, the mate, W. H. Brooks, and two seamen were sent in a
boat to inquire if that was the port of Azua. The mate was ordered
not to land, and the schooner had American colors flying.
[Page 221]
When near the shore the mate stopped the boat and asked two soldiers
on shore, in English, if that were the port of Azua. The reply was
in Spanish and not understood, but was supposed to be in the
affirmative. At this moment a number of soldiers, about 25, came out
from behind bushes. The mate became alarmed and began to return to
the schooner. The soldiers opened fire on the schooner’s boat. The
mate was struck and fell in the bottom of the boat. The bullet
grazed him and stunned him, but he soon recovered. Charles Smith,
seaman, was hit in the thigh and severely wounded. The third man in
the boat dropped out of sight. The soldiers then began firing on the
schooner and several shots hit her.
3. Mr. John Hardy, consignee of the schooner, heard of the shooting
and sent a boat to see if it were the schooner he expected. Upon
learning that it was he at once reported to the governor of Azua,
Gen. Luis Pelletier, that soldiers had fired on an American schooner
while she had American colors flying. The schooner came to Azua Bay
and her unloading was not delayed. The wounded seaman, Charles
Smith, was taken to Azua and given medical attendance; he is
improving and will probably entirely recover.
Depositions setting forth the above facts are on file at the consular
agency at Azua, and are signed by A. F. Stubbs, master; William H.
Brooks, mate; and Charles Smith, seaman; and copies have been
forwarded to the American minister.
The master of the schooner had made every effort to find the location
of the port of Azua before leaving New York, as it is not charted.
The schooner made no ports between New York and Puerto Viejo.
4. President Heureaux has ordered the governor of Azua to watch
strange vessels to prevent the assassins of Governor Campo from
leaving the country and the landing of arms and ammunition for use
by revolutionists. It was for this purpose that the soldiers were
sent to Puerto Viejo when the Henry Crosby
was sighted. The firing on the boat was done without any
investigation whatever to ascertain the character of the
schooner.
5. By order of President Heureaux, Gen. G. Marchena and eight others,
supposed to be leading revolutionists, were shot at Azua on December
21, 1893.
6. I sent an officer to Azua to call on the governor, and I was
informed that the governor would call on me to-day, which he did.
During the interview Governor Pelletier stated that he deeply
regretted that the American vessel had been fired upon, and
attributed it to the ignorance of the officer in charge of the
detachment sent to Puerto Viejo. The governor expressed the
kindliest feelings for Americans, and assured me he gave no orders
to fire on an American vessel. During his visit he was received with
honors due his rank.
7. The condition of affairs in the Republic of Santo Domingo are at
the present time most quiet. The recent shooting of General Marchena
and others will tend to prevent outbreaks in the future.
8. I am informed by the American consular agent, Mr. John Hardy, that
Americans are treated with consideration, and that American
interests are perfectly safe in Santo Domingo, and I have every
reason to believe that such are the facts.
9. I have given the details of the firing on the schooner, as I
believe, in accordance with the facts, and any recommendation on my
part I deem unnecessary.
10. I forward herewith an account of the recent outbreak furnished by
a Government official of Azua, through the consular agent, Mr.
Hardy, as giving the Government’s side of the trouble.
11. On my return to Santo Domingo City I shall cable to the
Department.
Very respectfully,
O. F. Heyerman, Commodore Commanding
.
