Bassett to L. Ethéart, July 12, 1872

Mr. Bassett to Mr. Ethéart.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Clement Eldredge, an American citizen, and master of the American schooner Lucy Holmes, which is now lying at the customhouse wharf, was assaulted, placed under arrest, and brutally treated by a government guard of about fifteen men, as he was passing quietly last evening from the residence of Mr. Oliver Cutts to his ship. This guard leveled their muskets at Mr. Eldredge, and marched him in a rude and violent manner through the streets of the city for the space of more than an hour. He was only released when he promised to pay the officer in command. Mr. Eldredge is a quiet, peaceable man, and offered no resistance to them whatever. He is incapable of violating knowingly any law or regulation of the country. He does not understand the language of the country, and does not yet know why he was arrested and subjected to such brutal treatment.

I send you herewith inclosed the sworn statement which he made before me. I call your attention to it, and would thank you for such explanation of the conduct of the officer in charge of the guard referred to as you may be pleased to give me.

I regret very much that such cases should occur, and I cannot understand why they are allowed to occur. If American citizens in Hayti violate any law of the country, I am perfectly willing that they should be dealt with according to law. But I am sure that you will regret as much as I do that officers and soldiers in the service of your government should indulge in useless and wanton violence against quiet, peaceable Americans, like Mr. Eldredge. Officers in the service of your government who indulge in such proceedings, and who are open to bribery, ought certainly to be called to a proper account for their conduct.

I have, &c,