El Triunfo War

Id

474

Idno

G0851

Type

Document

Title

El Triunfo War

Description

Article about the altercation between the Mexican government and the American government, around the El Triunfo Mining Company in Brooks' time. Take with the subjectivity of being the narration with only the American version.

Authorship

Daily Alta California

Language

English

Transcription

A compromise effected – Brooks´ men disarmed / Readers of the Alta will remember the recen attempt at insurrection by the Lower California leader, Chavero, formerly Collector of Customs at La Paz. Chavero´s partisans, to the number of about one hundred, were captured in small parties by the State tropos collected by Governor Davelos. Two of the insurrectionists were shot. It seems that, after this trouble was over, the troops were not disbanded, but were, for some unexplainable reason, gathered about Triunfo. From Mr. John F. Janes, who reached this city last night, we learn the following particulars: / The Works of the Homegerine Silver Mining Company are at Triunfo, about fifty-two miles from La Paz. The company owns twenty-seven miles of ground, and it´s operations are extensive and succesful. Mr. Henry S. Brooks is a large stock owner and General Superintendent. For years he has been subjected to petiy annoyances of all kinds by the military authorities. His house has been surrounded by armed men in the middle of the night, and he himself called out of bed and arreste don trumped-up and trival charges. It has seemed apparent that there was a disposition to interfere with the company´s operations and harass them in every way. About a month before the recent insurrection the military suddenly seized the goods in the store of Mr. Brooks on the pretence that they had been charged with poison, arrested Mr. Brooks, and put a guardo ver the establishment. The Saranac was ordered to La Paz, to protect Americans if necessary. Subsequently, Mr. Brooks was released, and his property restored to him, there being, of course, no ground whatever for the outrage commited by the military. For this and all previous outrages, Mr. Brooks has been unable to obtain any satisfaction from the Mexican civil authorities. / The ¨war¨ / After the quashing of the attempt at insurrection, the troops, to the number of four hundred or more, were assembled around Triunfo, and principally about the hacienda of the Mining Company. Americans, and other ¨Gringos¨, were frequently insulted and abused by the insolent soldiery, and a reign of martial law of a very rough sort inaugurated. This, with the known jealousy of the natives toward americans, and the prevailing habit of throwing obstacles in his way and harassing him at every turn, forced on Mr. Brooks the conviction that it was the intention of the leaders of the troops to créate some pretext for sacking his hacienda and despoiling the Company of the money, bullion and arms known to be about the works. About this time Mr. Janes arrived there from La Paz and volunteered to lend a hand in defence of the place, if necessary. Mr. Brooks acceptedhis offer, and put him in command of a number of workmen, who were armed and formed into a sort of home guard. Captain Janes therw up barricades around the hacienda, and fortified the place. It´s boundary was marked by white flags, and every Mexican who crossed over was disarmed. This state of hostility continued for some time, Janes´ Little party keeping up a bold front and the troops maintaining their seige; but no actual collision took place. / Peace declared / Finally a treaty was made. Mr. Brooks, Lieut. Hoff of the Saranac, Mr. Galen, Governor Davelos, Commandante Martínez, Capt. Juanes, and several Mexican officers, met in Mr. Brooks´ house, and, alter parley, Mr. Brooks agreed to disarm his force, the Mexicans agreeing to withdraw the troops from the hacienda. Mr. Brooks at once carried out his part of the agreement, disarming his men and sending them to work in the mines. At latest information, the Mexicans had failed to stand to their agreement; the troops were still there. / Jane´s scape / As one condition of peace, the Mexicans had insisted that Janes should at once leave the country. This was agreed to. Janes made his way to La Paz, at night, to avoid danger; and, after secreting himself near that city for several days, got on board the next steamer bound for this city.

Broadcast date

28/11/1874

Length

Width

High