Milton Turner to Julius A. Skilton, June 25, 1875

Mr. Turner to Mr. Skilton.

Sir: Referring to my dispatch of the 3d instant, I now continue an account of the progress of the revolution. On the 5th instant all the federal officers and many of the prominent men of the town left for Mazatlan, leaving the town in the hands of the revolutionists, and without custom-house, courts, or any public officers.

On the 7th instant the bishop residing in this place went to Triunfo to endeavor to rescue Governor Davalos from the hands of the revolutionists, and on the 9th a settlement was effected, a copy of which, with a copy of the “plan” of the revolutionists, I transmit herewith.

On the 17th instant all the prominent merchants were called to the government-house, and when these were notified that money was wanted in sums from $500 to $4,000, varying according to the financial standing of the individuals. They all refused to pay, and were immediately confined, without water for food, until they should come to terms. Before midnight all of them had effected a settlement by promising to pay, hut all obtained a considerable reduction from the amount first demanded.

On the same afternoon, Governor Davalos was brought to La Paz and placed in the bishop’s house, under a strong guard, and on the 18th instant a proposition was made to him that he should pay $10,000 and be sent out of the territory.

This amount he refused to pay, and some of the most influential men of the town, including the bishop and priests, interceded in his behalf. After a great deal of haggling, on the 19th instant his friends paid $3,000, and he was put on board a small sloop and sent to Altata, in the State of Sinaloa, there to be set at liberty.

Great difficulty was experienced in raising this small amount, as the town is completely stripped of money by the forced contributions.

Up to this time no battle has occurred, except a slight skirmish at San Antonio on the 16th instant, in which no one was killed, and but three wounded.

At the commencement of the trouble, I called on the acting governor, Mr. E. Rivas, to ascertain his intentions with regard to Americans. He assured me that no Americans should be molested, either in person or property, and so far, I am happy to say, he has kept his word strictly, or at least I have not heard, that the person or property of any American has suffered in the least.

Some little excesses have been committed by single soldiers, but I am satisfied that the leaders have done their best to maintain order, and they have succeeded far better than we had reason to expect they could do.

There is a small force of government troops at San José del Cabo, and it is reported that Tbarra is now on the march to attack them.

Business here is almost entirely suspended, many of the stores are closed, and a good portion of the population have secreted themselves, left the country, or been forced to join the revolutionary forces.

We are now hourly expecting the arrival of the government troops from Mazatlan. I do not expect the revolutionists will make any resistance, and presume that affairs will return to their normal condition immediately upon their arrival.

As far as I can ascertain, the amount of cash collected by the revolutionists here in Triunfo, and in other places, reaches $23,000; and, besides, they have taken all the arms, about one hundred horses and mules, and all the saddles they could lay their hands on.

The steamer from San Francisco, which was due on the 16th instant, did not touch, and no one can tell when our communications with the outside world will be re-opened.

June 26.—Here my writing was interrupted by a new revolution, which took place at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. It seems that thirty or forty men, sympathizing with the government, have for some time been, lurking in the outskirts of the town, and were in communication with the guard at the government-house, which consisted principally of pressed men. Watching a favorable opportunity, they rushed upon and made prisoners of the revolutionists in the house, including the acting governor, Mr. Rivas. But one man was killed. They got together about sixty men, seized a schooner, and during the night sailed for San José, there to join the government troops, and this morning the town seems entirely deserted.

To-day the old ayuntamiento will resume its functions, and, I presume, will be able to raise among the merchants a sufficient guard to maintain order.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,