Hamburger to Spencer St. John, February 25, 1873

A. Mr. Hamburger to Mr. St. John.

Sir: I have the honor to bring to your notice the following occurrence:

On the evening of the 23d instant there came to my dwelling-house General Juan Nuezi, former governor of this city, and his sons Martin and Claudio Nuezi, and stated that they had been at the head of an armed demonstration to protest against the government of this republic for leasing or ceding the bay and peninsula of Samana or any other part of the territory; that the government had considered them as rebels, and fearing that their lives were in danger, they put themselves under the protection of the British flag. I took said persons under my protection, and early on the 24th I informed the governor thereof. I received no answer to my communication; but later there came a magistrate and other officials, and, by order of the governor, demanded the immediate surrender of the said Juan Nuezi and his two sons.

I replied that said persons were under my protection, that I would not deliver them against their will, and that I requested them to respect my house, which I declared was the British vice-consulate, and over which the British flag floated. Their demand to give up the refugees was repeated, and threatened me to take them out by force of arms, and if need be break open the house. I again refused to give up the men, and told them that their threat and the execution of it I would consider as an insult to the British flag and make them responsible for the consequences. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon there came a force of police and soldiers, and on my refusing to give up the refugees, they pulled down the door, filled the house with armed men, and took out and carried to prison the said General Nuezi and his sons Martin and Claudio Nuezi.

I called all the foreign consuls resident in this city, informed them of what had occurred, and they agreed that I could not have acted otherwise.

It is important to mention that Mr. Ricardo Curiel, minister of war, finances, &c., &c., and on commission from the executive to represent it in these provinces, did personally order and direct the act already mentioned, and who, on seeing that the soldiers were reluctant to enter my house, actually pushed them in with his own hands.

After having received such insult I took down the flag, and will not raise it again until this question is settled.

I have chartered a schooner to bring this communication to Cape Haytien, and request Her Majesty’s consul there to forward it to you by express.

Awaiting your arrival, or such steps as you may deem advisable,

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,