To His Excellency Hon. George Williamson to George Williamson , American, January 9, 1875

No. 103. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a letter from Consul Duke addressed to me, also copy of his letter addressed to the captain of the Arizona, printed copy of the protesta of Mrs. Pena, and translation of the same, and copy of my letter in reply to Mr. Duke.

The man Peña is an unhappy wretch, who, having been arrested in Costa Rica by the minions of Guardia, either by compulsion or voluntarily, for a bribe of four hundred dollars, confessed that he had been hired by President Gonzales, of Salvador, and by Don Joaquin Fernandez to assassinate Guardia. As soon as the confession was made, Guardia had his likeness taken, and the printed or written confession pasted on the back. He then sent the man Peña, under charge of two officers, by the steamer Mohongo to La Libertad, in Salvador, As soon as he was on shore at La Libertad, and assured of his personal safety, he declared the previous confession was extorted from him under threats of death and a promise of a reward of four hundred dollars by Guardia. He was then, it is said, turned over to the courts of Salvador to be dealt with accordingly.

The protest and rumor say the courts had ordered him to be returned to Costa Rica under the charge of the same officers that brought him. It is presumed, if this was intended, the protest and Mr. Duke’s action may have prevented its execution.

The affair has created, I learn, great bitterness of feeling on the part of Gonzales toward Guardia, and numerous rumors of war are afloat.

I do not apprehend any danger of war at present.

I have, &c.,