John Mercer Langston to JOSEPH BOWIE, Master of Schooner Victor, August 13, 1884

Mr. Langston to Mr. Victor.

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 287, addressed to you on the 7th instant, having reference to the case of Rev. C. W. Mossell, I have the honor, in accordance with my promise, to state further in regard to such case that Mr. Mossell, a Christian Protestant missionary, residing and laboring in the city of Port au Prince and the neighboring country as preacher and teacher for the past eight years, supported entirely by Christian friends, residents of the United States of America interested in him and his work in this country, has, not only by his devoted and laborious earnest missionary life among your people, but by many special patriotic acts of self-sacrifice, shown himself the intelligent and constant friend of the present administration of your Government and the country. A man of sound and general education, of rare christian culture and devotion, he found his desires and aspirations satisfied in his labors, freely and graciously given, even under the most difficult and trying circumstances at times, for the religious and educational elevation and advancement of such of our people and youth as happen to come within the circle of his influence. Thus he found himself laboring in his own house, with his wife, a pious, cultured, devoted, self-sacrificing person, remarkable for her efficiency and success both as a teacher and missionary, when, on the 23d of September, 1883, his home, in which the family of the late honorable Edward Pinckombe, had, at the time, found hospitable, cordial, Christian shelter, was entered again and again, first by officers and soldiers and policemen of your Government, who in rudest manner, demanded to know who was there, searched in every part to find out who was there, and, for the considerate and respectful treatment accorded them by Mr. Mossell and his family, who declared that they were all Americans and friendly and loyal to the Government of the country, insulted, threatened, and maltreated them. And finally when the Pinckombe family, well known to be in Mr. Mossell’s house, had been sent for some three times by officers of the Government and others, and was at last conducted thence by an aid-de-camp of the President, as he stated, in obedience to his orders, such officer refusing in positive and offensive terms protection or aid to Mr. Mossell and his family, even to his wife, at the time in the most delicate, feeble, and helpless condition, though demanded, implored, especially for his wife in the condition indicated, and his child, the house was entered, in the presence and through the influence of officers of your Government, by armed soldiery and police, who abusing and maltreating, as it would seem with renewed devilish, purpose, Mr. Mossell and his family, not sparing his wife nor his little girl, threatening to shoot and kill them, and to such end using their pistols, guns, and swords in the most frightful barbarous way against the person, the face, the head, and body of Mr. Mossell and in the midst of the family, finally throwing kerosene oil about the floors, stairways, doors, and woodwork of the house, set it on fire and thus with smoke and flames and threats of violence drove Mr. Mossell and his family out of his house, from the gallery of which floated at the time his American flag, into the street, where as he attempted to make his way with his wife, whom he sought specially to protect with his family, to this legation, he and they were still abused, maltreated, threatened, assaulted, by the same parties, even to the very doors of the legation, where Mr. and Mrs. Mossell, after some two hours of desperate struggle over every inch of the way, with their child and other members of their family lost from them, arrived, escaping barely with their lives through the energetic and manly conduct of one or two friends, who were good enough to aid them somewhat on the way, and Mr. Garrido on their arrival.

The facts, in this case Mr. Minister, are imperfectly stated by me; the aggravation and torment of the incidents so causeless and outrageous, connected with it, cannot be described.

The parties, too, Mr. Minister, to this case are well known both by their good name and labors in this city and country. And when we consider the work which they have already accomplished among your people in the erection of a modest but excellent church structure, situated in the southwestern part of this city; the maintenance and conduct of a large and respectable congregation of orderly worshippers assembling regularly therein; and the establishment and support of a flourishing day-school, numbering at the time of the occurrence of the sad events referred to, quite one hundred pupils, all taught free of charge, and without distinction of any sort, we may not doubt as to their loyalty and devotion to your Government and country, nor as to the value and influence of their presence in your midst.

But I do not dwell upon such considerations. Mr. Mossell and his family are American citizens residing in this country, pursuing an honest, orderly manner of life; and instead of abuse, maltreatment, threats, assaults, and outrages, they are entitled to due consideration, respectful considerate treatment and protection certainly from officers, soldiers, and policemen of the Government.

The statements made, Mr. Minister, as regards this case are, as you must perceive, susceptible of the easiest confirmation. I have indicated to you herein already sources of information with relation thereto. Mr. Mossell and his family were outraged, as stated, on the afternoon of the 23d day of September, 1883, at his house near the corner of Rue Bonne-Foi and Grande-Rue; and as they left there along Rue Bonne-Foi to the house of Mr. Etheart in the Rue du Center, which they entered for a few moments, but in hopeless protection against their pursuers; thence they were forced to return and go up Rue Bonne-Foi to Rue de la Croix, along the last named street to Rue des Miracles, down this street to Rue du Center, and thence to this office; making their way as best they might in the presence of and against a large and formidable concourse of people. The outrage upon them was perpetrated in the presence of a multitude.

Mr. Mossell himself, Mrs. Mossell, their friends, Messrs. Thomas M. Brown, George L. Brown, Francois Brown, Miss Y. G. Brown, Mrs. J. Puzo, and Miss Alice Bordie, and Messrs. Van Bokkelen and Garrido, not to name others, who were eye-witnesses of the occurrences mentioned, know all about the insults, abuses, and outrages, experienced as stated by this Christian missionary American family.

I hope, now, Mr. Minister, that this case will command the immediate serious and just consideration of your Government, and that its definite just solution and settlement may be concluded without unnecessary delay.

Renewing to you. &c.,