File No. 812.00/18643
Consul Dawson to the Secretary of State
Tampico, July 2, 1916, 4 p.m.
Your July 1, 1 p.m. Naval officer and 6 men from Marietta fired on 26th instant about 6 p.m., by Carranza soldiers at river entrance while returning to naval vessel from outside after fulfilling duty as escort on outbound refugee ship.
Launch was private craft belonging to Americans. No advance warning given, regardless of N’s [Nafarate’s?] subsequent claim to contrary. First shot pierced awning. Our men returned fire. Brisk fusillade resulted. No American casualties. Unconfirmed report says two Mexicans killed. Commander Scott asked for explanation about 9 a.m. the same evening but no reply being received by (10?) a.m. next day he reminded N. that should it not be forthcoming by noon, Marietta would proceed to jetties and escort launch to anchorage also warning him that a single shot fired would result in gravest consequences. Reply not having been received by time stated Marietta proceeded to jetties and escorted launch to anchorage without incident.
N. finally replied, accepting responsibility. His first letter claimed launch failed to obey signals from shore. His second was equivocal [Page 599] and failed to meet the request that unless N. wished incident to be [considered?] as deliberate act of de facto Government that he disavow. N. left Tampico for the border immediately after sending this communication. Affidavits not obtainable. Copy of naval officer’s report and correspondence sent by mail. The incident occurred while I was at Lobos Island transferring refugees to [?] and I presumed full report was made [?] my return here.