Florida and the Spanish-American War of 1898

Documents

Consulado de España en Key West to Governor H.L. Mitchell

From: Correspondence of Governor William D. Bloxham (Series 578, Box 15, Folder 7)

This letter was found in the official correspondence of Governor William D. Bloxham. It was written to the previous governor of Florida, Henry Laurens Mitchell, in the time leading up to the Spanish-American-War.

In this letter to Governor Mitchell, the Spanish consul expresses concern about an event that occurred in Key West. He protests the treatment of the Spanish flag and "the insulting and intemperate words” directed against his government and his country.

Consulado de España

Consulado de España en Key West, Florida

19th August - 1896

To his Excellency
Honorable H.L. Mitchell.
Governor of the State of Florida.
Tallahassee (Fla)

Sir,
The events which occurred at Key West during the evening of the 17th inst. at a mass meeting before the City Hall for the purpose of requesting federal investigation as to the alleged killing in Cuba of a certain Charles Gavin, compel me to denounce and protest against the negligence of the Municipal authorities in that no action was taken to prevent the disgraceful proceedings of certain citizens;

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such proceedings having a tendency to strain the friendly relations between the governments of the United States and Spain. I protest:

1st Against the action of Mr. C.B. Pendleton who threw to the populace a Spanish flag with the obvious intention of ridiculing and scoffing that emblem of my country. This flag was torn and otherwise insulted by the populace.

2nd The insulting and intemperate words directed against my government and my country. These insulting and intemperate expressions showing a lamentable ignorance of the history of Spain by the speakers.

3rd Although it was known some time in the afternoon before the meeting that the Spanish flag was to be contemned [sic] and scoffed, and the employees

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of this consulate abused, the Municipal Authorities refrained from taking any precautionary measures. That the persons of the employees were not placed in jeopardy was one purely to accident.

Until the present moment I am unaware of any steps have been taken by the Municipal authorities to disavow the proceedings of this mass meeting.

As against this, and standing out in bold relief, I desire to direct the attention of your Excellency to the measures taken by my government, and practiced with the greatest scrupulosity to maintain the ties of friendship with the Supreme Government of the United States.

Very

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respectfully

Your obedient servant

Manuel Garcia y Ruiz
Spanish Consul

 

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