Mirabeau Lamar to Lewis Cass, February 26, 1858

Mr. Dunn a worthy and good man[,]
citizen of the United States, but then re-
siding on the San Juan had in the hu-
rry and confusion of landing the freight
accidently [sic] struck the boy with a barr-
el, while pitching it either into or ou-
t of the boat. The barrel had slight-
ly touched the boys [sic] upper lip with-
out breaking the Skin or drawing one
drop of blood. And for this trivial
accidnet [sic] the military was brought
into requisition. The Steamer stopped
and Mr Dunn arrested amidst the
loud clamor of the natives. After
much excitement and confusain [sic] the
matter was settled mainly though [through] the
Interposition of C.F. Canty an Englis-
hman in the Costa Rica Service who
was a fellow passenger on the Steamer.
The Commandante of the Castle agreede [sic]
to let Dunn go, on his paying someth-
ing to the boy and turning to the lad
asked him if he would be Satisfied
with two dollars. The boy Said he would[.]
[T]he money was paid[,] Dunn released
and the lad went on his way contented an-