Department of State,
Washington, April 17,
1896.
No. 115.]
I should be glad to hear at the earliest opportunity what action your
Government proposes to take in the matter.
[Inclosure in No. 115.]
Mr. Eckford to
Mr. Rockhill.
Consulate of the United States,
Kingston, Jamaica, March 30, 1896.
No. 181.]
Sir. Referring to my dispatch No. 180,
dated the 28th day of March, I have the honor to inclose the
affidavit of the master and mate of the American schooner William Todd, in reference to the firing upon
and search of the said vessel by two Spanish gunboats.
I have, etc.,
[Subinclosure.]
Affidavits of master and mate of the William
Todd.
Consulate of the United States,
Kingston, Jamaica, March 28, 1896.
Personally appeared before me, Q. O. Eckford, United States consul at
Kingston, Jamaica, George Campbell, master, and Samuel D. Langley,
mate, of the schooner William Todd, who,
after being duly sworn, made the following statement:
That they were en route from Mobile to this port with cargo of
lumber. On the 16th day of March, when between 6 and 7 miles off the
Isle de Pinos, in latitude 21° 12ʹ, longitude 82° 42ʹ, at or about 1
o’clock p.m., sailing at the speed of about 1 mile an hour, they
sighted two vessels near the coast. Soon thereafterwards a blank
shot was fired from one of the vessels, when they immediately hove
to and gave orders to hoist the colors, but before the flag could be
hoisted three solid shots were fired across the bow of the vessel.
After this, while flag was hoisted two Spanish gunboats, the names
of which they did not ascertain, came alongside; one stationed
itself across the bow and the other on the port side. The vessel was
then boarded by four armed Spanish soldiers, who searched it,
examined the captain’s papers, and after a detention of about two
hours they were allowed to proceed.
George D. Campbell,
Master of Schooner William Todd.
Samuel D. Langley, Mate.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
the 28th day of
March, 1896.
[
seal.]
Q. O. Eckford,
United States
Consul.
