No. 470.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, March 7, 1874.
(Received March 24.)
No. 119.]
Sir: On the 2d instant I received a brief
telegraphic dispatch from Rev. David Watkins, at Guadalajara, informing me
of the assassination on that morning, at Ahualulco, in the State of Jalisco,
of Rev. J. L. Stephens, an American citizen, connected with the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. I immediately replied, asking
for details, and on the 4th instant I was informed by telegraph that at two
o’clock on the morning of the 2d instant the house of Mr. Stephens was
assaulted by more than two hundred men, crying “Viva el Cure”— “Death to the
Protestants;” that Mr. Stephens was killed by them in a brutal manner, his
body badly mutilated, and his head cut into several pieces, and his house
plundered. The cause of this outrage, it will be seen by reference to the
telegraphic dispatch, is attributed to religious fanaticism.
I at once called in person upon the minister of foreign affairs, and
presented him a note, (inclosure 1,) with copies of the telegraphic
dispatches referred to, expressing the confident expectation that whatever
measures could properly be taken by the federal government of Mexico for the
investigation and punishment of the crime would be at once adopted.
The minister, Mr. Lafragua, informed me that the government had been early
advised of the event by the governor of the State of Jalisco, and that
prompt and vigorous measures had been taken to arrest and punish the
criminals; that the town was occupied by three hundred troops, and order
restored; that the principal assassins and two priests had been arrested,
and that a judge had been dispatched to the district with an extra corps of
clerks to insure a speedy investigation and trial. The official dispatches
which appeared in the Diario Oficial of yesterday are herewith inclosed.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Foster to Mr.
Lafragua.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, March 4,
1874.
Sir: On Monday last, I received a telegram from
Mr. David Watkins, of the American Protestant Mission in Guadalajara,
announcing, without details, the assassination of his companion, Mr.
Stephens, an American citizen, in Ahualulco. I immediately telegraphed
for details, and have just received an extended reply, from which it
appears
[Page 735]
that the crime was due
to religious fanaticism, and was attended by revolting barbarities.
I herewith inclose copies of the three telegrams, and very earnestly call
the attention of your excellency to this lamentable event, in the
confident expectation that whatever measures can properly be taken by
the federal government of Mexico for the investigation and punishment of
this crime will be at once adopted.
I am, with great respect, your excellency’s obedient servant,
[Inclosure in inclosure in No.
119.]
Mr. Watkins to Mr.
Foster.
Guadalajara, March 2,
1874—2.20 p.m.
telegrams on the murder of mr.
stephens.
No 1.]
To the American Minister:
In Ahualulco they have assassinated the American citizen Stephens.
Mr. Foster to Mr.
Watkins.
Mexico, March 2,
1874.
No. 2.]
D. J. Watkins, Guadalajara:
Send by telegraph brief particulars of the murder of Stephens.
JOHN W. FOSTER,
American
Minister.
Mr. Watkins to Mr.
Foster.
Guadalajara, March 4,
1874—1.30 p.m.
No. 3.]
Mr. J. W. Foster:
At 2 o’clock on the morning of the 2d of March the house of Stephens was
attacked by a horde of more than two hundred bandits, crying “Long live
the Curé! (priest,) Death to the Protestants !” After having forced the
doors, they broke in, destroying or robbing everything they found.
Stephens escaped to the yard, which was invaded by assassins, who
inflicted upon him a horrible death. His body was mutilated, and his
skull divided into several pieces. The prison-guard, instead of
protecting the victims, aided the assailants. The soldiers are said to
have taken a leading part in the sacking. The origin of this horrible
affair, according to well-founded information, was the priest, whose
textual words, pronounced on Sunday in the pulpit, were, “The tree which
bears evil fruit should be cut down. You may interpret these words as
you like.” That no circumstance of audacious barbarity might be lacking
in this crime, the church bells were twice rung in token of joy.
