No. 47.
Mr. Reynolds to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
La Paz,
Bolivia, February 12, 1875.
(Received March 27.)
No. 42.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 31, dated January
6, 1875, in relation to the assault and arrest of my messenger and servant
by the revolutionists, I have the honor to transmit full copy of all
correspondence which was had, for the information and criticism of the
Department.
The first is my dispatch to General Gonzala Lanza, who was reported to be in
command of all the troops of the revolutionists.
The second is his reply and apology for the assault by the soldiers to which
is attached a translation of the same.
My servant was arrested the second time, but released upon personal
application. He was then re-arrested and taken for a recruit to the palace.
It was this which called out my dispatch to Dr. Casimiro Corral. This will
be found somewhat caustic, yet I felt that my only course was to take a bold
and open stand for the dignity of my Government and safety of the legation
in the midst of the anarchy which existed in this city.
The reply of Dr. Casimiro Corral was returned the next day, while the release
of my messenger was immediate.
I will thank the Department for approval or disapproval of my course in the
premises, which will serve as a guide in the future. I did what 1 deemed
best at the time, feeling that I could not aid any
one if the
[Page 79]
legation was
invaded by unrestrained soldiery, which at one time seemed imminent. It will
be seen that I carefully refrained to recognize them as properly in
authority, yet I recognized the existing fact that
they controlled the revolutionary elements which held the city for nearly
one month.
Hoping that the Department will approve my action during the reign of
mob-rule in La Paz,
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 42.]
Mr. Reynolds to
General Lanza.
Legation of the United States,
La Paz, Bolivia, December 31, 1874.
Sir: I am under the painful necessity of
notifying you that a squad of soldiers in the uniform prescribed by
Bolivia has invaded the house of this legation, and violently attacked
and assaulted my messenger and servant within the last hour, and
attempted to take him forcibly from the premises to enlist him as a
soldier. This action toward this legation is entirely unexpected, and is
of such outrageous character that I hereby protest against it as
entirely unwarranted and without authority. It must have been done
without your orders, and, doubtless, without your knowledge. I hereby
advise you of the fact, and respectfully ask at your hands full
information as to what orders (if any) have been issued in relation to
the matter herein referred to, so that I may be informed as to the
intention of the present authorities in respect to foreign nations as
represented by their several legations and consulates in this city, and
what measure of protection may be expected.
It is my earnest wish to do my whole duty as minister resident from the
United States of America to the republic of Bolivia, acting at all times
strictly within the well-defined limits of my authority, and I shall
expect to receive that immunity from invasion and that full protection
which is promptly granted by all civilized and enlightened nations.
I direct this to you as “General Gonzalo Lanza,” not having been
officially informed as to your present official title, and ask at your
hands a prompt reply.
“Awaiting your response, I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
R. M. REYNOLDS,
United States Minister
Resident
To General Gonzalo Lanza, La Paz.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
42.—Translation.]
General Lanza to
Mr. Reynolds.
Superior Military Chief of the North,
Bolivia, La Paz, December 31, 1874.
Sir: I have been pained to learn by your
dispatch of to-day that the ignorance of our soldiers made them go into
your house with the purpose of taking your servants; and I feel it more
deeply as the authorities have proclaimed principles and guarantees in
accord with the cultivated mind of the illustrious General Quevedo,
Provisional President of the republic. The constituted authorities have
felt it their duty to respect most particularly the different flags that
honor this town.
For the future I have dictated with this date the general order you will
find inclosed.
I hope, sir, you will excuse a fault caused by the ignorance of our
soldiers.
With such a plausible motive I offer you, sir, the considerations of my
highest respect.
To the Minister of the United States.
[Page 80]
[Inclosure in 2 in No.
42.—Translation.]
General Order.
General
Headquarters, La
Paz, December 31,
1874.
Only article: It is ordered, most especially to the chiefs and officers
of the liberating army of the north, to respect the foreign flags, and
to protect with the greatest consideration the houses of ministers and
consuls, as well also their servants and attaché, resident in this
capital. They will not be permitted to enter the lodgings of any of
those named officials, under any pretext whatever; nor will they molest
or take any of the dependents, domestics, or servants for enrollment in
the service or army. As a warning to those who break or violate the
present order, all such will be subject to be brought to justice and
punished with the severest penalty of the law; besides, the government
has recently proclaimed, through the illustrious General Quevedo,
commander-in-chief of the army of the north, and also the departmental
authorities, giving the most ample guarantees to the inhabitants of the
city, which they will observe with peaceful conduct.
This will be published with the general orders of the day for the
information of the army.
Colonel-in-chief, Garcia. Communicated, chief of the section, Gardanella,
&c., &c.
This is a true copy of the original.
NAIL GARDANELLA,
Chief of
Section.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 42.]
Mr. Reynolds to Dr.
Corral.
Legation of the United States,
La Paz, Bolivia, January 12, 1875.
Dr. Casimiro Corral, La Paz:
Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you
that this legation has been invaded and wantonly insulted by the
re-arrest of my messenger in violation of the laws of nations, in
violation of general order dated December 31, 1874, to which my
attention was called by General Lanza in a letter of the same date; and
notwithstanding your assurances to the contrary, my messenger, Leandro
Ordoñes, has this day been assaulted and forcibly taken to the palace
building by persons claiming to be soldiers under your command, and all
in the face of the fact that he has in his possession a certificate
showing that he is in the employment of the legation, duly signed and
under the seal of the United States.
I most solemnly protest against such unwarranted and outrageous treatment
shown to this legation, and I ask and demand that the soldiers and
officers engaged in the assault be punished under the severest penalties
of the law; and I also demand that Leandro Ordoñes be at once released,
so that he may return to duty.
I further respectfully ask that safe-conduct be guaranteed to ail
attaches and employés of this legation, by day or by night, in the
discharge of duty, by those in authority in this city. If this cannot be
done, I would ask that due notification be given to me as
minister-resident from the United States, stating fully the reasons why
this legation shall not receive that immunity from invasion and that
protection which is promptly granted by all civilized and enlightened
nations.
Awaiting your reply, I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
R. M. REYNOLDS,
United States
Minister-Resident to Bolivia.
[Inclosure 4 in No.
42.—Translation.]
Dr. Casimiro Corral
to Mr. Reynolds.
La Paz,
Bolivia, January 13,
1875.
Mr. R. M. Reynolds,
Minister of the United States in Bolivia:
I have had the honor to receive your esteemed dispatch dated yesterday,
intended to complain of the unlawful conduct of the persons who are
actively engaged in organizing the national guard and who had seized
Leandro Ordoñes, a servant of that legation.
[Page 81]
I had the honor to assure you upon a former occasion that your
illustrious person should not suffer the least inconvenience on account
of the exceptional situation in which the republic finds itself, and
especially this department, the theater of war. The same servant,
Ordoñes, was set at liberty immediately by my order, and knowing the
chief of the column who had recruited him anew, I have been equally
prompt in depriving him of his commission. He calls himself Leucias
Larrea, and he has been replaced by Juan Feyda.
The repetition of this act would not have taken place if the servant
Leandro Ordoñes had shown his warrant of security which I suggested to
you to give him.
The knowledge that Mr. Reynolds had not been received or acknowledged as
minister plenipotentiary by the government of Bolivia did not lessen the
deferences shown to him. The manner of this answer has been inspired by
motives of high regard for his person.
The import of the attached authorized order which I communicate to Mr.
Reynolds will convince all of the deference shown to the diplomatic and
consular corps by the revolution, assuring Mr. Reynolds that the
immunities to his person, his suite, and domicile will be the same as if
he had been recognized and received by the Bolivian government.
I avail myself of this opportunity to offer to Mr. Reynolds my most
distinguished consideration, and subscribe myself his obedient
servant,
