United States Congressional Serial Set Volume 4919 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ... telegram to his chief stating that unless he was advised to the contrary by 4 o'clock p. m. he would render the assistance requested by Governor Melendez to remove these laborers from the French vessel Versatile. During this Interval numbers of people who spoke French advised the men to come off the vessel quietly before they got into trouble over the matter, but they persistently refused. Three men did voluntarily come out from the crowd of negroes, but they were hissed and jeered by their companions, who called them traitors to their country, and many other jibes were flung at them. The captain of the vessel appealed to them to permit their companions to come out from the crowd. They answered, "You have tied us up here with ropes, and we can not let them out" The captain of the vessel then ordered the rope barrier to be removed, and told the men they were free to go where they pleased, and also put food and wine on the wharf, and said that If any man there was hungry and said he had nothing to eat that there were three days' rations on the shore waiting for anyone who would pass out and get It The men in the rear of the crowd still said that they were being hindered from coming out and two or three of the Colon policemen tried to make a way for them to come out, when the negroes in the first row drew knives to attack the Colon, lolicemen. The laborers were disarmed and the knives carried away by the Colon policemen. At 4 o'clock Governor Melendez requested Lieutenant Ross to bring the Canal Zone policemen on board. This was done and the laborers were given a final opportunity to withdraw peaceably. They refused, and Governor Melendez directed the policemen to draw up on one side of the poop deck, and the Zone policemen were drawn up on the othe...