Joseph Bailey to Antonio Sergio de Souza, May 12, 1871

Mr. Bailey to Mr. Davis.

Sir: I transmit herewith a copy of correspondence between myself and the colonial governor of Macao, concerning the cooly-ship Dolores Ugarte.

I also inclose a circular containing an account of her passage last year from Macao to Callao with coolies, reciting the horrors of that voyage.

It is now my painful duty to state that, notwithstanding my earnest protest against her being permitted to reload with coolies at Macao, the governor of that colony, contrary to the spirit of his letter tome of April 24, allowed the ship to resort to the subterfuge of changing her name to that of the Don Juan, and her flag to that of Peru, and thereupon to load 665 coolies for Callao. She sailed from the Roads of Macao with her cargo of human beings on the 4th instant. But a dreadful catastrophe awaited her. Providence seems to have set her apart to shock the nations with a new horror that shall startle them to their duty in suppressing this infamous slave trade. On Saturday, the 6th, the ship was discovered to be on fire in the hold, where the coolies were kept. The captain states “that, with a view to save his own and his crews’ lives, he battened down the hatches on the passengers, and took to the boats.” The ship was burned to the water’s edge, and with it over 600 victims of this atrocious traffic in men.

I inclose the reports of the daily press here up to closing of the mail. There is a conflict of evidence as to whether the ship was set on fire, or whether it was accidental. I express no positive opinion now on that point, but incline to the belief that the coolies in desperation fired the ship. I will forward at the earliest moment such other correspondence as I may have with the Governor de Souza on the subject.

I have the honor, &c.,