Now. sir. Captain Pitts. of the Acapulco. when he received General Barrundia upon his vessel as a passenger. undertook to deliver him at Panama. and he then seemed to properly appreciate his duty and responsibility. When he entered the port ol Champerico the day before the killing. the Guatemalan authorities demanded that General Barrundia be surrendered up to them. but Captain Pitts. as he should have done. refused to deliver him up. declaring that Barrundia was a political refugee and his passenger bouhd for Panama. but when he arrived at San Jos6. another Guatemalan port. and received a letter from United States Minister Mizner. he seems to have ceased to appreciate his duty and to have backed down from the position taken by him at Champerico. which he should have maintained at all hazards. There aresome who allege that the assault was commenced by General Barrundia himselt. I deny that allegation.