Part 56

The pretence that our men were fighting "with stones, clubs, and bright arms" is, in view of these facts, incredible. It is further refuted by the fact that our prisoners, when searched, were absolutely without arms, only seven penknives being found in the possession of the men arrested, while there were received by our men more than thirty stab wounds, every one of which was inflicted in the back, and almost every contused wound was in the back or back of the head. The evidence of the ship's officer of the day is that even the jack-knives of the men were taken from them before leaving the ship....

No amount of evasion or subterfuge is able to cloud our clear vision of this brutal work....

It is quite remarkable and quite characteristic of the management of this affair by the Chilian police authorities that we should now be advised that Seaman Davidson, of the _Baltimore_, has been included in the indictment, his offence being, so far as I have been able to ascertain, that he attempted to defend a shipmate against an assailant who was striking at him with a knife. The perfect vindication of our men is furnished by this report; one only is found to have been guilty of criminal fault, and that for an act clearly justifiable....

The evidence of our sailors clearly shows that the attack was expected by the Chilian people, that threats had been made against our men, and that, in one case somewhat early in the afternoon, the keeper of one house into which some of our men had gone closed his establishment in anticipation of the attack, which he advised them would be made upon them as darkness came on....

Several of our men sought security from the mob by such complete or partial changes in their dress as would conceal the fact of their being seamen of the _Baltimore_, and found it then possible to walk the streets without molestation. These incidents conclusively establish that the attack was upon the uniform--the nationality--and not upon the men.

· · · · ·

The testimony of Captain Jenkins, of the American merchant ship _Keweenaw_, which had gone to Valparaiso for repairs, and who was a witness of some part of the assault upon the crew of the _Baltimore_, is strongly corroborative of the testimony of our own sailors when he says that he saw Chilian sentries drive back a seaman, seeking shelter, upon a mob that was pursuing him. The officers and men of Captain Jenkins' ship furnish the most conclusive testimony as to the indignities which were practised toward Americans in Valparaiso. When American sailors, even of merchant ships, can only secure their safety by denying their nationality, it must be time to readjust our relations with a government that permits such demonstrations.

As to the participation of the police, the evidence of our sailors shows that our men were struck and beaten by police officers before and after arrest, and that one at least was dragged with a lasso about his neck by a mounted policeman. That the death of Riggin was the result of a rifle-shot fired by a policeman or soldier on duty is shown directly by the testimony of Johnson, in whose arms he was at the time, and by the evidence of Charles Langen, an American sailor not then a member of the _Baltimore's_ crew, who stood close by and saw the transaction. The Chilian authorities do not pretend to fix the responsibility of this shot upon any particular person, but avow their inability to ascertain who fired it, further than that it was fired from a crowd....

The communications of the Chilian Government in relation to this cruel and disastrous attack upon our men, as will appear from the correspondence, have not in any degree taken the form of a manly and satisfactory expression of regret, much less of apology. The event was of so serious a character that, if the injuries suffered by our men had been wholly the result of an accident in a Chilian port, the incident was grave enough to have called for some public expression of sympathy and regret from the local authorities. It is not enough to say that the affair was lamentable, for humanity would require that expression, even if the beating and killing of our men had been justifiable. It is not enough to say that the incident is regretted, coupled with the statement that the affair was not of an unusual character in ports where foreign sailors are accustomed to meet. It is not for a generous and sincere government to seek for words of small or equivocal meaning in which to convey to a friendly power an apology for an offence so atrocious as this. In the case of the assault by a mob in New Orleans upon the Spanish consulate in 1851, Mr. Webster wrote to the Spanish minister, Mr. Calderon, that the acts complained of were "a disgraceful and flagrant breach of duty and propriety," and that his Government "regrets them as deeply as Minister Calderon or his Government could possibly do;" that "these acts have caused the President great pain, and he thinks a proper acknowledgment is due to Her Majesty's Government." He invited the Spanish consul to return to his post, guaranteeing protection, and offered to salute the Spanish flag if the consul should come in a Spanish vessel. Such a treatment by the Government of Chili of this assault would have been more creditable to the Chilian authorities; and much less can hardly be satisfactory to a government that values its dignity and honor.

· · · · ·

On the 21st instant I caused to be communicated to the Government of Chili, by the American minister at Santiago, the conclusions of this Government after a full consideration of all the evidence and of every suggestion affecting this matter, and to these conclusions I adhere. They were stated as follows:

"First. That the assault is not relieved of the aspect which the early information of the event gave to it, viz.: That of an attack upon the uniform of the United States Navy, having its origin and motive in a feeling of hostility to this Government, and not in any act of the sailors or of any of them.

"Second. That the public authorities of Valparaiso flagrantly failed in their duty to protect our men, and that some of the police and of the Chilian soldiers and sailors were themselves guilty of unprovoked assaults upon our sailors before and after arrest. He [the President] thinks the preponderance of the evidence and the inherent probabilities lead to the conclusion that Riggin was killed by the police or soldiers.

"Third. That he [the President] is therefore compelled to bring the case back to the position taken by this Government in the note of Mr. Wharton of October 23 last, ... and to ask for a suitable apology and for some adequate reparation for the injury done to this Government."

In the same note the attention of the Chilian Government was called to the offensive character of a note addressed by Mr. Matta, its Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Mr. Montt, its minister at this capital, on the 11th ultimo. This despatch was not officially communicated to this Government; but, as Mr. Montt was directed to translate it and to give it to the press of this country, it seemed to me that it could not pass without official notice. It was not only undiplomatic, but grossly insulting to our naval officers and to the Executive Department, as it directly imputed untruth and insincerity to the reports of the naval officers and to the official communications made by the Executive Department to Congress. It will be observed that I have notified the Chilian Government that, unless this note is at once withdrawn and an apology as public as the offence made, I will terminate diplomatic relations.

The request for the recall of Mr. Egan upon the ground that he was not _persona grata_ was unaccompanied by any suggestion that could properly be used in support of it, and I infer that the request is based upon official acts of Mr. Egan which have received the approval of this Government. But however that may be, I could not consent to consider such a question until it had first been settled whether our correspondence with Chili could be conducted upon a basis of mutual respect.

In submitting these papers to Congress for that grave and patriotic consideration which the questions involved demand, I desire to say that I am of the opinion that the demands made of Chili by this Government should be adhered to and enforced. If the dignity as well as the prestige and influence of the United States are not to be wholly sacrificed, we must protect those who, in foreign ports, display the flag or wear the colors of this Government against insult, brutality, and death inflicted in resentment of the acts of their Government, and not for any fault of their own. It has been my desire in every way to cultivate friendly and intimate relations with all the governments of this hemisphere. We do not covet their territory; we desire their peace and prosperity. We look for no advantage in our relations with them, except the increased exchanges of commerce upon a basis of mutual benefit. We regret every civil contest that disturbs their peace and paralyzes their development, and are always ready to give our good offices for the restoration of peace. It must, however, be understood that this Government, while exercising the utmost forbearance toward weaker powers, will extend its strong and adequate protection to its citizens, to its officers, and to its humblest sailors when made the victims of wantonness and cruelty in resentment, not of their personal misconduct, but of the official acts of their Government.

Upon information received that Patrick Shields, an Irishman and probably a British subject, but at the time a fireman of the American steamer _Keweenaw_, in the harbor of Valparaiso for repairs, had been subjected to personal injuries in that city--largely by the police--I directed the Attorney-General to cause the evidence of the officers and crew of that vessel to be taken upon its arrival in San Francisco; and that testimony is also herewith transmitted. The brutality and even savagery of the treatment of this poor man by the Chilian police would be incredible if the evidence of Shields was not supported by other direct testimony and by the distressing condition of the man himself when he was finally able to reach his vessel....

A claim for reparation has been made in behalf of this man, for while he was not a citizen of the United States, the doctrine long held by us, as expressed in the Consular Regulations, is "the principles which are maintained by this Government in regard to the protection, as distinguished from the relief, of seamen are well settled. It is held that the circumstance that the vessel is American is evidence that the seamen on board are such; and in every regularly documented merchant vessel the crew will find their protection in the flag that covers them."

I have as yet received no reply to our note of the 21st instant, but in my opinion I ought not to delay longer to bring these matters to the attention of Congress for such action as may be deemed appropriate.

BENJ. HARRISON.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

January 25, 1892.

INDEX TO SPEECHES, ETC.

Akron, Colorado, reception address at, 460

Albany, Oregon, reception address at, 402

Albany, New York, reception address at, 498

Alger, Gen. R. A., response of, 69

Allen County, Ohio, to delegation from, 149

Alliance, Ohio, reception address at, 284

Altoona, Pa., reception address at, 487

American Fork, Utah, reception address at, 435

Anderson, Indiana, reception address at, 271

Anniston, Alabama, reception address at, 308

Ashland, Oregon, reception address at, 400

Ashland, Nebraska, reception address at, 464

Atchison, Kansas, reception address at, 259

Atlanta, Georgia, address to students, 304 farewell address, 305 Mr. Wanamaker's address, 306

Augusta, Georgia, to exposition committee from, 549

Bakersfield, California, reception address at, 362

Baker City, Oregon, reception address at, 425

Banning, California, reception address at, 341

Bartholomew County, Indiana, to delegation from, 90

Bellefontaine, Ohio, to delegation from, 89 reception address at, 277

Bellows Falls, Vermont, reception address at, 540

Benicia, California, reception address at, 392

Bennington trip, 1891, personnel of party, 493

Bennington, Vermont, Battle Monument address, 502 at great tent banquet, 505

Benton Harbor, Michigan, to delegation from, 41

Benton County, Indiana, to delegation from, 44

Berkeley, California, at State University, 393 dumb and blind institute, 394

Billings Park, Vermont, speech at horse fair, 535

Birmingham, Alabama, reception address at, 311 luncheon address, 313

Blackford County, Indiana, to delegation from, 163

Blaine Club of Kansas City, address to, at Indianapolis, 76

Blaine reception, demonstration at Indianapolis Oct. 11, 1888, 170

Bloomington, Illinois, to delegation from, 62

Boise City, Idaho, reception address at, 427

Boone County, Indiana, to delegation from, 46

Boston, Mass., reception address at, 226 Mayor's Club banquet, 228 G. A. R. national encampment, 230

Bradford, Vermont, reception address at, 536

Brandon, Vermont, reception address at, 516

Brattleboro, Vermont, reception address at, 542

Bristol, Tennessee, reception address at, 291

Brown County, Indiana, to delegation from, 70

Buena Vista, Colorado, reception address at, 444

Burlington, Vermont, reception address at, 519

California delegates to Chicago, visit from, 29

California tour, 1891, personnel of party, 289

Cañon City, Colorado, reception address at, 446

Canton, Ohio, reception address at, 283

Cartersville, Georgia, reception address at, 302

Cascade Locks, Oregon, reception address at, 421

Castleton, Vermont, reception address at, 515

Centennial address, New York City, April 30, 1889, 207

Centralia, Washington, reception address at, 412

Champaign County, Illinois, to delegation from, 55

Champaign, Illinois, reception address at, 241

Charlestown, New Hampshire, reception address at, 539

Chattanooga, Tennessee, reception address at, 301

Chehalis, Washington, reception address at, 420

Chemawa, Oregon, reception address at, 405

Chicago, Marquette Club banquet address, 16 to committee from Marquette Club, 31 to Irish-American Club from, 124 to commercial travellers from, 140 to delegation business men from, 155 to Union veterans and others from, 166 to German-American Club from, 172 Auditorium dedication address, 218

Chilian Minister, official reception of, response to, 557

Chilian affair, message on, January 25, 1892, 564-70

Chrisman, Illinois, reception address at, 479

Cincinnati, Ohio, to Lincoln Club from, 49

Cincinnati Exposition Committee, visit from, 136

Cincinnati Exposition, invitation committee from, 171

Clay County, Indiana, to delegation from, 60

Clayton, Indiana, reunion 70th Regiment, 115

Clearfield, Pa., trip to the coal regions, 231

Cleveland, Ohio, to delegation from, 152 Garfield mausoleum dedication, 222

Clifton Forge, Virginia, reception address at, 235

Clinton County, Indiana, to delegation from, 72

Coles County, Illinois, to delegation from, 57

Colorado Springs, Colorado, address to scholars, 450 reception address, 453

Colton, California, reception address at, 339

Columbus, Ohio, to delegation veteran voters from, 145 to Garfield Club and Gov. Foraker, 174 reception address at, Feb. 25, 1889, 192 reception address at, May 14, 1891, 487

Commercial travellers of Indiana, address to, 40

Commercial travellers of Ill. and Ind., address to, 92

Commercial travellers of Chicago, address to, 139

Commercial travellers of United States, address to, 177

Council Bluffs, Iowa, reception address at, 471

Cresson, Pa., to visiting Altoona veterans, 231

Crestline, Ohio, reception address at, 278

Crete, Nebraska, reception address at, 462

Danville, Indiana, to Republican Club from, June 25, 1888, 25

Danville, Illinois, reception address at, 240

Dayton, Ohio, to delegation from, 137 reception address at, 485

Decatur County, Indiana, to delegation from, 87

Decatur, Illinois, reception address at, 476

Defiance, Ohio, reception address at, 94

De Graff, Ohio, reception address at, 276

Delaware County, Indiana, to delegation from, 87

Del Rio, Texas, reception address at, 332

Deming, New Mexico, reception address at, 335

Denver, Colorado, address at Capitol, 454 address at Hotel Metropole, 459

Depew, Hon. Chauncey M., visits the nominee, 171

Detroit, Michigan Club banquet address, 9

Diaz, President Porfirio, telegram from, 350

Douglas County, Illinois, to delegation from, 84

Duluth, Minnesota, to delegation from, 156

Ecumenical Conference, address to, at Washington, 550

Edgar County, Illinois, to delegation from, 57

Election results, popular vote for President, 1888, 188

Electoral College, extract from President's message, Dec., 1891, 560

Eleventh Indiana Regiment, survivors received, 171

Elkhart County, Indiana, to delegation from, 146

El Paso, Texas, reception address at, 333

Ex-prisoners of war, address to, at Indianapolis, 129

Fair Haven, Vermont, reception address at, 514

Florence, Colorado, reception address at, 447

Floyd County, Indiana, to delegation from, 122

Foraker, Gov. J. B., congratulates the nominee, 174

Ford County, Illinois, to delegation from, 89

Fort Wayne, Indiana, reception address at, 99

Foster, ex-Gov. Charles, introduces the nominee, 97

Fountain County, Indiana, to delegation from, 162

Fresno, California, reception address at, 365

Fulton County, Indiana, to delegation from, 156

Galesburg, Illinois, reception address at, 243 address at reunion 1st Brigade, 246 Alumni Hall, Knox College, 251 Phi Delta Theta banquet, 251 at 1st Brigade banquet, 252

Galveston, Texas, great speech and reception, 322

Garfield Club of Columbus, address to, at Indianapolis, 175

Garfield Monument, address at dedication of, 225

G. A. R. veterans and Gov. Rusk, address to, at Indianapolis, 120

G. A. R. installation officers, address to comrades, 189

G. A. R. camp fire, Indianapolis, address to comrades, 216

G. A. R. national encampment, address at Boston, 228

Gilroy, California, reception address at, 377

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, reception address at, 437 address to miners, 438 address to children, 440

Godfrey Commandery of Chicago, visit from, 83

Grand Rapids, Michigan, to delegation from, 159

Greenville, Tennessee, reception address at, 296

Grundy County, Illinois, to delegation from, 134

Hamilton County, Indiana, to delegation from, June 25, 1888, 26 to delegation from, August 14, 1888, 83

Hancock County, Ohio, to delegation from, 149

Hannibal, Missouri, reception address at, 472

Harrison, Gen. Benj., biographical sketch of, 7-8

Harrison League of Indianapolis, address to, 33

Harrisburg, Pa., reception address at, 488

Hastings, Nebraska, reception address at, 461

Hendricks County, Indiana, to delegation from, June 25, 1888, 25 to delegation from, Nov. 9, 1888, 188

Henry County, Indiana, to delegation from, 67

Hill, Gov. David B., his invitation to the President, 497

Hood River Station, Oregon, reception address at, 421

Houston, Texas, reception address at, 321

Houtzdale, Pa., reception address at, 233

Howard County, Indiana, to delegation from, June 25, 1888, 26 to delegation from, July 18, 1888, 50

Huntington, Indiana, reception address at, 101

Hyde Park, Illinois, to delegation from, 166

Inaugural Executive Committee, personnel of, 193

Inaugural address, March 4, 1889, 194-203

Indianapolis, to his neighbors, June 25, 1888, 27 to Indiana delegates, June 26, 1888, 29 to colored citizens, June 30, 1888, 33 to veterans 70th Regiment, 28 to veterans 26th Infantry, 134 to veterans 7th Cavalry, 131 to veterans 79th Regiment, 176 to veterans and neighbors, 32 introducing Gen. R. A. Alger, 69 official notification, July 4, 1888, 35 to Tippecanoe veterans, July 4, 1888, 38 to railroad employees, July 13, 1888, 47 speech at State Convention, Aug. 8, 1888, 80 on returning from Put-in Bay, Sept. 4, 1888, 105 great street demonstration, Sept. 6, 1888, 106 address to children, Sept. 8, 1888, 107 to the Porter-Columbian Club, Oct. 3, 1888, 158 Labor-Day address, Oct. 25, 1888, 183 to railroad clubs of Indiana, Oct. 27, 1888, 185 to the saw-makers of city, Nov. 9, 1888, 188 to G. A. R. veterans, Jan. 1, 1889, 189 farewell to neighbors, Feb. 25, 1889, 191 dedication Soldiers' Monument, 211 at G. A. R. camp-fire, Aug. 22, 1889, 216 at reunion 70th Regiment, Aug. 23, 1889, 217 the home welcome, May 14, 1891, 481

Indio, California, received by Gov. Markham, 338

Irish-American Club, address to, Sept. 15, 1888, 125

Iroquois County, Illinois, to delegation from, 131

Jacksonville, Illinois, to delegation from, July 19, 1888, 51 to delegation from, Aug. 17, 1888, 90

Janesville, Wisconsin, to delegation from, Oct. 5, 1888, 161

Jay County, Indiana, to delegation from, Sept. 21, 1888, 137 to delegation from, Oct. 4, 1888, 159

Jennings County, Indiana, to delegation from, July 28, 1888, 65

Johnson County, Indiana, to delegation from, Aug. 17, 1888, 90

Johnson City, Tennessee, reception address at, 293

Jonesboro, Tennessee, reception address at, 295

Kankakee, Illinois, to delegation from, 90

Kansas City, Missouri, to Blaine Club from, 77 to Scott Rifles from, 121 banquet address at, 265 Chamber Commerce speech, 266 letter to Commercial Congress, 286

Kansas veterans, address to, at Indianapolis, 108

Kingston, New York, reception address at, 495

Knightstown, Indiana, to soldiers' orphans at, 192

Knoxville, Tennessee, reception address at, 299

Kokomo, Indiana, to delegations from, 26, 50 reception address at, 103

Kosciusko County, Indiana, to delegation from, 63

Labor-Day address, close of the great campaign, 182

La Porte County, Indiana, to delegation from, 132

Lathrop, California, reception address at, 368

Lawrenceburg, Indiana, reception address at, 235

Lawrence, Kansas, reception address at, 265

Leadville, Colorado, reception address at, 442

Le Grande, Oregon, reception address at, 424

Lehi City, Utah, reception address at, 434

Letter of acceptance, Sept. 11, 1888, 108

Letter to Commercial Congress, April 14, 1891, 286

Letter on tin plate, its manufacture in America, 554

Lincoln, Nebraska, reception address at, 463 thanks to travelling men, 464

Lincoln Club, Cincinnati, address to, at Indianapolis, 49

Little Rock, Arkansas, reception address at, 317

Lordsburg, New Mexico, reception address at, 336

Los Angeles, California, reception address at, 345 speech at the pavilion, 347

Los Gatos, California, reception address at, 381

Louisville, Kentucky, to delegation from, 128

Macon County, Illinois, to delegation from, 84

Madison, Wisconsin, to delegation from, 161

Mansfield, Ohio, reception address at, 279

Marion County, Indiana, to the Tippecanoe Club, 38

Marquette Club, Chicago, speech at banquet, 16 to delegates from, 31 the President received by, 219

Marshall County, Indiana, to delegation from, 156

Maryville, Missouri, reception address at, 472

Massillon, Ohio, reception address at, 282

Medford, Oregon, reception address at, 401

Memphis, Tennessee, reception address at, 315

Merced, California, reception address at, 366