SUTTER, Jr. , United States Consul to Julius A. Skilton, February 1, 1875
Mr. Sutter to Mr. Skilton.
February 1, 1875.
No. 5.]
Sir: Confirming to you my communications, Nos. 3 and 4, of January 27th ultimo, I beg leave to state that the town is more quiet at present. Last night, however, a body of; men, assembled near the cemetery, did not reply to the call of a detachment of national guard, who, at the command of their captain, fired upon and pursued the unknown body of men, which filed and disappeared in the bushes.
Until to-day, eight deaths have resulted from the massacre. Until now nobody has been clearly convicted of having participated in the massacre, and I fear that nobody ever will be convicted and punished. In a few days the excitement caused by this atrocious assassination will subside, and make room for another sensational affair of a similar nature.
In June last five men were killed at Tres Palos; in September, eleven persons at Dos Arroyos; in January, three at Tespan; January 26, the massacre at Acapulco; night night before last a man was killed at Sabano.
Fights of all descriptions, and family feuds, in which somebody is killed, are very common occurrences. Hardly ever anybody is robbed. This is the character of the people here, and they become worse, as they never are properly punished, every one generally alleging to have acted in self-defense.
The governor has not arrived as yet; nobody knows when he may come. Mr. Hutchinson is on board the “Ida Lilly,” and will leave, per steamer, for San Francisco. I do not consider the road to Mexico safe for him, not even with an escort.
May I beg of you to communicate the contents of this letter to Colonel Foster, and oblige your obedient servant,
United States Consul.
Julius A. Skilton, Esq., United Slates Consul-General, Mexico.