General Sickles to Mr. Fish
Sir: I regret to have to report to you that last evening, while the president of the council, General Prim, accompanied by two of his aides-de-camp, was driving home in his carriage from the palace of the Cortes, he was fired upon and dangerously wounded by a party of armed men who had placed themselves in Turk street, not far from the palace of the minister of war, where General Prim resides. One of the aides-de-camp was likewise seriously wounded. It appears that neither the police nor the military guard were near enough to the scene of the occurrence to make any arrests, and in the absence of any knowledge on the subject it is supposed that political motives prompted the attack. The approaching consummation of General Primes scheme to place a member of the royal family of Savoy on the Spanish throne had provoked intense animosity among the partisans of other dynasties—Isabellina, [Page 751] Orleanist, and Carlist. Symptoms of irritation and impatience had likewise been shown by a few republicans, although for the most part the supporters of this advanced system of government evince a wise adhesion to the temperate counsels of their leaders, who advise a reliance on peaceful and legal means to obtain power, so long as the rights secured in the constitution of 1869 are respected by the government and enjoyed by the people. I heard of the sad occurrence while at the opera, and immediately repaired to the war department to inform myself of the condition of the minister and to assure him of the solicitude with which I should look forward to his recovery from the injuries he had received. I learned that already several balls had been extracted from his left shoulder and chest, and that one or two of the fingers of his left hand had been badly shattered, rendering amputation necessary. I was, however, told by some of his colleagues and by several officers of rank that the surgeons did not regard the injuries as mortal. This favorable view of the case is confirmed this morning by the official gazette, in its bulletin; nevertheless I am not without apprehension, considering the number of shots said to have taken effect and the somewhat impaired health of General Prim, that the deplorable event may have a fatal result. The most profound agitation pervades the capital, and strong measures are taken to prevent the revolutionary outbreak which is apprehended. Deeming the occasion a proper one for some official expression of regret, I have to-day addressed a note to the minister of state, referring to the incident in terms which I trust you may not find inappropriate.
I have the honor to inclose a copy of my communication, and to remain, sir, &c.,