Francisco Javier Leon to Rumsey Wing, October 23, 1871

Mr. Leon to Mr. Wing.

Sir: According to the suggestion that your excellency made me, extra officially, of asking authorities of Guayaquil for private information in respect to the arrest of Doctor Wilson, an American citizen, I have received the following data, from which it appears that Doctor Wilson presented himself at the police office, complaining that his servant, to whom he had given the sum of $500 to change, instead of doing so, had abused his confidence and gambled away the money; and requesting at the same time the apprehension of the delinquent, and his being put in prison until such time as he should refund the $500.

Immediately the most stringent and urgent orders were given for the arrest of the servant. A patrolman, who knew neither Doctor Wilson nor his servant, through a mistake, took one for the other. As soon as this mistake was made known to the commissary of police, he immediately put Doctor Wilson at liberty, after giving him the most explicit and sincere explanations for the error that had caused his arrest.

In effect, he appeared completely satisfied, and the police continued their search for the servant until he was apprehended and placed in prison. This is what occurred in the regard to which your excellency asked for information in your esteemed dispatch of the 17th of the present month.

This report will be most fully sent to your excellency, should you so desire, as soon as the authorities of Guayaquil send the result of the trial that this office has ordered him to be brought to.

I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency, Sōr Ministro, the assurances of my high and distinguished consideration, and I have, &c,