Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1889

Mr. Whitehouse to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico , November 15, 1889. (Received November 23.)

No. 164.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of telegrams reporting the arrest at Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, of Captain Stilpen, of the American schooner Robert Ruff.

The captain was arrested on his return voyage to that port, presumably for aiding the escape from justice of one Patton, an American citizen, who had on the previous voyage boarded the vessel when some distance from port.

As it is claimed that the persons who requested his surrender did so when the schooner was some 9 miles from land, it would appear that the captain would have been justified in considering himself as without the jurisdiction of Mexico even had a formal demand been made on him.

To-day I left a memorandum of the facts that have reached me with Mr. Mariscal, and have requested that they be carefully inquired into.

I have also telegraphed for full particulars of the case.

I am, etc.,

H. Remsen Whitehouse.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 164.—Telegram.]

Mr. Hoff to Mr. Ryan.

Vera Cruz , November 13, 1889.

At Coatzacoalcos they arrested Captain Stilpen, of schooner Robert Ruff. Last voyage an American citizen, Patton, asked passage home and was taken on board, and 9 miles from land a boat came alongside the schooner and apparently wanted Patton, but did not come on board, and no one hindered them. They now arrest captain, as they say Patton committed assault and battery. Will write particulars.

Hoff.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 164.]

Mr. Hoff to Mr. Ryan.

Consulate of the United States,
Vera Cruz , November 13, 1889.

Sir: This morning I received the following telegram:

“Coatzacoalcos, 13.

“Hoff, Vera Cruz:

“Last voyage Stilpen, Robert Ruff was boarded outside after sailing by American citizen Patton, who asked passage home and was taken. Short while after another boat came up to Ruff; one party in boat exhibited piece of paper, but did not come on board. He spoke Spanish, which was not understood by captain. Apparently desired Patton, but all in boat were in citizen’s clothes. Ruff kept on her course. Patton was wanted for assault and battery, but had not been arrested. Stilpen, Ruff now here, and is to be arrested; what must he do?

“Carpenter.”

I then sent back the following message:

“Shall I send your message to Minister Ryan? Did Stilpen hinder them from taking Patton? Was he 3 miles from land?

“Hoff.”

I then received the following message:

“Coatzacoalcos, 13.

“Send message to Ryan. Did not hinder them. About 9 miles from land.”

I then sent the following message:

“Hon. Thomas Ryan,
“Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Mexico:

“At Coatzacoalcos they arrested Stilpen, of schooner Robert Ruff. Last voyage an American citizen, Patton; asked passage home and was taken on board, 9 miles from land. A boat came alongside the schooner and apparently wanted Patton, but did not come on board, and no one hindered them. They now arrest captain, as they say Patton committed assault and battery. Will write particulars.

“Hoff.”

Captain Stilpen I have known for a long time and have only known him as an honest, sober, industrious man, and am satisfied that it was no fault of his that he is there. In all my dealings with him I always found him a model captain, and have, in a number of cases, pointed him out as such. I always found him on board of his vessel attending to his business, and not in the saloons, but where his business and presence was wanted. I feel in hopes that you will do all in your power to have him released.

I have, etc.,

Joseph D. Hoff.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 164.]

memorandum.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico , November 15, 1889.

After sailing from Coatzacoalcos, the schooner Robert Ruff, Captain Stilpen, was boarded outside by an American citizen called Patton, who asked passage home and was taken on board. Shortly afterwards another boat came up to the schooner; one of the parties in this boat exhibited a piece of paper, but did not come on board. He spoke Spanish, which language the captain does not understand. It was evident that he wanted Patton, but as all on the boat were in plain clothing, and the schooner was almost 9 miles from land, the captain kept on his course. The persons in the boat did not attempt to board the schooner. On return voyage to Coatzacoalcos. Captain Stilpen was arrested and is now in jail there. It appers that Patton was wanted by the authorities for assault and battery, but had not been arrested.