Mr. Culver to Mr.
Seward
No. 143.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, January 25, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to advise the department
that on the 13th of November last I received a despatch from our
vice-consul at Ciudad Bolivar, informing me that on the evening of the
18th October previous an attack had been made upon the steamer Apure,
sailing under the flag of the United States, at Apurito, in the upper
waters of the Orinoco, by an armed body of insurgents, and that the
captain, J. W. Hammer, the second captain, J. Brissot. and P. D.
Canfield, first engineer, all of them citizens of the United States, had
been killed; that there was very great excitement in the valley of the
Orinoco upon the matter, especially among the resident foreigners, as
well as on the part of the consular body at Ciudad Bolivar.
I thereupon addressed a note to the minister of foreign affairs, a copy
of which (marked A) I herewith enclose to you.
Knowing that the government here as well as the public press had received
despatches with full details of the outrage, I was surprised at the
entire silence of each. No allusion to it was made, and after a delay of
some two weeks, and after intimating privately to the foreign secretary
that it was a case where I had a right to expect a more prompt response,
I received on the 27th November a reply to my note, a translation of
which (marked B) I herewith transmit.
Very soon thereafter, I received from our vice-consul a copy in Spanish
of the evidence taken before the judge of the first instance at Ciudad
Bolivar; also a condensed statement of the facts, substantiated by that
evidence as found by the consular body in that city, of which last,
being in English, I forward you a copy (marked C.)
From this evidence, as stated by the consuls, it will be seen that
Captain Hammer had with his other passengers taking on board for
transportation up the river some fifty troops, under the command of the
president of the State of Apure, and when he reached Apurito his steamer
was in the night attacked by an armed body of insurgents from the shore,
and the captain, his mate, and engineer, were killed.
The conduct of President Garcia and his official was most cowardly in not
protecting the steamer, its officers, and passengers, while that of the
party on shore was most fiendish. It is not pretended that a state of
war existed, or any general or reorganized insurrection, but a sudden
attempt of a few restless rebel chiefs (with which the country swarms)
to overthrow the State government, and which they accomplished.
I have reason to know that the government received this evidence taken
before the judge, and also the statement and protest (C) of the consular
body, at the time that copies reached me, and yet up to this date not
one word has been communicated to me upon the subject, other than the
minister’s note (B) of the 25th November, while the government press in
the capital, which is eager to publish all that transpires in Chili,
Peru, and Mexico, has maintained a dogged silence as to this
outrage.
The cause of all this, as I infer, and indeed I am so informed, is the
apprehension that reclamations will be made. In the instructions given
to the judge who held the investigation he was distinctly ordered “to
bear in mind that the principal object in instituting the inquiry was to
protect the nation from all injustice in any reclamations which
perchance the representatives of the United States or England might
make.” A very singular caution truly to give to a judicial tribunal
whose honest and sole object one would suppose should be to elicit the
truth, let its results affect whomsoever they might.
Perceiving, as I thought, a disposition to allow the matter to slumber in
silence, on the 20th instant I addressed a second note to the minister
of foreign affairs, a copy of which (marked D) I enclose herewith.
[Page 432]
Nothing further has been heard from the government, and from my knowledge
of the way and manner in which these outrages are treated, I am prepared
to expect that nothing further will be done, nor shall I ever hear
anything further from the authorities touching it, except by dint of
hard pressing. The whole matter will be left to slumber in silence,
while others of our citizens will be invited to come with their capital
and skill to help develop the resources of the country, and ultimately
to share the fate of Captain Hammer.
In my opinion this is a clear case of wanton
murder, and the villanous chiefs who conducted the attack ought
to suffer the extreme penalties of the law; instead of which they are
now at the head of the recognized government of the State of Apure.
Each of the three citizens killed on the occasion referred to has left a
family that was dependent on him for support.
I ask the instructions of my government touching the matter.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of highest respect, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
Mr. Culver to Mr. Seijas
Legation of the United
States, Caracas,
November 13,
1865.
SIR: The undersigned, minister resident of the United States, is
pained to inform the government of Venezuela that he has this day
received a despatch from the United States consulate at Ciudad
Bolivar, under date of 2d instant, advising him as follows:
“It is my painful duty to inform you of one of the most atrocious
acts that was ever committed in this country—nothing less than the
most cruel assassination of the whole crew and officers of the
American steamer Apure.
“The following is a list of the victims: Captain J. W. Hammer,
general agent of Orinoco Steam Navigation Company, from Iowa;
Captain J. Brissot, of Louisiana; and Philip Canfield, of New York,
first engineer.:
“The crime was perpetrated at the town of Apurito, on the 19th of
October, and has called forth the general indignation of all the
inhabitants of this city, and is considered by the whole community
as the most outrageous and unprovoked crime ever perpetrated, and
should call the serious attention of the representatives of the
different governments resident in Venezuela.”
The undersigned is further advised that all the victims of this
murder were citizens of the United States, and each leaves a wife
and children in Venezuela, in indigent circumstances.
As these murdered citizens were pursuing a legitimate commerce under
the flag of their country in the waters of Venezuela, by and with
the consent of its authorities, the undersigned cannot too strongly
assure the minister of foreign affairs, that the government of the
United States will expect that of Venezuela, first, to institute a
prompt and effective investigation of the affair; and, second, bring
to a sure, speedy, and condign punishment the guilty parties.
In the mean time the undersigned has directed his consul at Ciudad de
Bolivar to take and forward to him the depositions of any and all
witnesses whose evidence can throw any light on the atrocious
crime.
The undersigned would respectfully ask to be advised by the
government of Venezuela of any new or additional facts in the case,
which may have come to its knowledge, and which it may deem proper
to communicate.
The character and atrocity of the crime seem to the undersigned to be
of a nature that it should not be allowed to rest for a day without
a searching investigation.
The undersigned has a copy of an official note from the president of
the State of Apure, to that of the State of Guayana, corroborating
the statement of his consul, and which copy he will cheerfully
furnish if desired by the government of Venezuela.
The undersigned has the honor to renew to Mr. Seijas the assurance of
his distinguished consideration.
His Excellency Señor Rafael Seijas, Minister Foreign Affairs, &c., & c.,
& c.
[Page 433]
B.
[Translation.]
Mr. Seijas to Mr. Culver
Caracas,
November 25, 1865—
Year second of the law and seven of
federation.
The undersigned, minister of foreign affairs of the United States of
Venezuela, had the honor to receive the note in which the minister
resident of the United States of America communicates the
intelligence which had been received from Ciudad Bolivar, concerning
the assassination of the officers who manned the American steamer
Apure.
The citizen first vice-president charged with the duties of the
presidency of the republic has learned with profound regret of that
crime, which has been undertaken against life, property, security,
and the other interests which the association had confided to its
agents.
The government is in possession of no reliable data concerning the
affair, of which different relations are given, but which
nevertheless represent it as having occurred in a fight between the
forces commanded by the president of the State of Apure, and others,
who had arrayed themselves against its authority.
In order to arrive at the truth about the affair, and to adopt the
requisite measures, the -national executive on receiving Mr.
Culver’s note gave orders that every possible means be taken to
investigate the causes of those deaths, together with the attending
circumstances; the results of all which shall be opportunely
communicated to the legation.
The undersigned renews to Mr. Culver the assurance of his
distinguished consideration.
E. D. Culver, Esq, Minister Resident, &c., & c., & c.
C.
Proceedings of a meeting of consuls and foreign
residents held at Ciudad Bolivar Venezuela, November 12,
1865.
United States Consulate,
Ciudad Bolivar, November 10, 1865.
Sir: You are respectfully invited to attend
a meeting of the consuls and foreign residents in this city, to be
held at the rooms of the Club del Comercio, on Sunday, 12th instant,
at 12 o’clock, noon, for the purpose of taking such action as may
then be deemed necessary in regard to: he recent unhappy occurrence
at Apurito.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
JOHN DALTON, United States
Consul.
In accordance with the above circular a general assemblage of the
gentlemen invited took place at the appointed time, when, upon the
motion of the British consul, seconded by the consul of the
Hanseatic cities, John Dalton, esq., United States consul, was
called to the chair; Doctor Louis Plassard, consul of France,
appointed vice-president, and Mr. Joseph B. Austin, of New York,
United States, appointed secretary.
The meeting being thus duly organized, after a few appropriate
remarks by the president, the following preamble and resolutions
were read by the secretary:
Whereas recent most calamitous events have impressed upon this
community a profound sense of gloom and insecurity, while we have to
lament the sacrifice of valuable lives, the exposure to damage or
destruction of large amounts of property, and the obstruction of the
only reliable channel of communication with the interior of the
republic, it seems necessary that public attention should be
directed to a plain statement of the facts attendant on the late
outrage perpetrated at Apurito, and measures adopted to prevent a
recurrence of similar indignities.
The steamer Apure, a boat regularly engaged in the navigation and
transportation of passengers and freight upon the rivers Orinoco and
Apure, between the ports of Ciudad Bolivar, in the State of Guayana,
and the Nutrias, in the State of Zamora, each State being a
constituent portion of the republic of Venezuela, the steamer
operating under a special charter from the republic of Venezuela to
the corporation known as the Orinoco Steam Navigation Company, said
corporation being located and established in the city of New York,
in the United States of America; her captain, John W. Hammer, being
the general agent of the said corporation, and himself, Julius de
Brissot, first officer, Philip D. Caufield, first engineer, and
Jacob Stackpole, third enginer, being citizens of the United States
of America, and Daniel Rink, second engineer, a subject of her
Britannic Majesty. The said steamer, being engaged
[Page 434]
in making one of her regular
commercial voyages, conveying passengers and freight between the
above-named and intermediate ports, did, on the 16th day of October,
1865, in the usual course of such voyage, make her regular call at
the, port of San Fernando de Apure, the capital of the State of
Apure, in the republic of Venezuela.
At this place General Juan B. Garcia, the president of the State of
Apure, demanded transportation for himself, seven officers, and
fifty-one soldiers, with their military material, to be taken at the
usual rates of passage and freight stipulated for in the charter of
the said corporation, and to be landed at any point which he might
direct within the limits of the said State of Apure, assurance being
given that it was merely intended as a corps of observation, no
insurgent enemies having established themselves at any point upon
the route of the steamer. Under these representations and
circumstances the officers, men, and military material were
embarked, and on the 17th of October the steamer proceeded upon her
voyage up the Apure river.
At about seven o’clock on the evening of the 18th of October the
steamer reached the port of Apurito, in the said State of Apure, one
of her regular stopping places, and at which passengers and freight
were to be landed. The captain, not suspecting any danger, and as it
was quite dark and considered imprudent to run at nights with the
existing stage of water in the river, ordered the boat to be tied up
until daylight, which was accordingly done, hawsers being made fast
to trees on shore from the forward and after parts of the main deck,
together with the chain cable from the bow; the forward and
amid-ship gang-planks run ashore, and preparations commenced for
landing cargo. At this moment General Garcia ordered thirty men to
be disembarked, and while this was being done, most of them having
landed, and a few remaining on the gang-planks, a heavy and
sustained firing was suddenly opened upon the steamer from a force
of insurgents ambushed upon the shore. Immediately upon the
commencement of the firing, the military officers ran to cover,
leaving their men, who, retreating, clustered about the gang-planks,
whereupon the steamer’s first officer, Mr. de Brissot, while engaged
in pushing them ashore that he might clear the decks and cast off
the fastenings of the steamer, was struck in the head by a ball from
the shore party and severely wounded. He passed up the saloon deck,
and while urging General Garcia to go down to the main deck and take
command of his men, as their officers had all disappeared, and he,
Brissot, wished to cast the boat loose and save the lives and
property on board, received a second shot in the breast from the
shore party, and fell dead. At about the same time portions of the
steam-pipes on the main deck having been cut by balls, and it being
necessary to start the water into the boilers, as the boat was
exposed to great danger of blowing up, the third engineer, Mr.
Stackpole, while engaged in these duties, exposed to a heavy fire
from the shore, received a ball through his right arm. The greatest
confusion now reigned on the main deck; the military officers having
generally secreted themselves, the soldiers took to such cover as
they could find, keeping up a desultory fire on the enemy ashore,
while the volleys from the shore were heavy and constant, being
mainly directed to the saloon deck, where it must have been well
known none but passengers and non-combatants would be placed. A
party from the shore, also, held the forecastle of the steamer,
rendering it impossible to east off the chain cable. The only
persons on board remaining at their posts of duty seem to have been
the captain and first and third engineers, who were upon their
regular watch at the engines. Somewhere between the hours of 10 p.
m. and midnight Captain Hammer, finding that it was hopeless to
expect any action to be taken by the military officers on board, and
deeply solicitous in regard to the lives and property intrusted to
his charge, decided to go on shore and endeavor to prevail on the
officers of the insurgents to suspend firing. This resolution he
carried out with the most salf-sacrificing gallantry, landing in the
midst of the firing from both parties, and having met one of the
insurgent officers, was proceeding up the bank, having taken his
arm, and engaged in earnest conversation, when he fell dead, pierced
by a ball through the body.
During the night General Garcia was re-enforced by about 60 men, who
reached the steamer in canoes, but they all retreated to the same
cover with those on board, and no attempt was made to attack the
party on shore. About half-past two o’clock on the morning of the
19th the fire from the shore having slackened somewhat, Mr.
Caufield, first engineer, succeeded in inducing General Garcia to
order the boat to be cast loose. He accordingly offered a reward of
$100 to any one accomplishing the service, and one of his officers
with one of the passengers finally effected it, both being severely
wounded, one since dead. The steamer drifted out into the stream,
and came to anchor about a quarter of a mile below the scene of
action. About 6 o’clock in the morning Mr. Caufield went ashore in
the steamer’s yawl, found the captain’s body, and made arrangements
for having it properly interred, when he returned to the boat. At 7
o’clock General Garcia embarked his men in canoes, and abandoned the
steamer, the excellent shelter they had found being established by
the fact that though over one hundred men had been exposed to an
almost uninterrupted fire at close quarters for more than seven
hours, but one was killed and only six wounded. When the boat had
reached a safe position they laid on their oars, gave three cheers
and retreated down the river. Mr. Caufield again went on shore after
the departure of General Garcia, had an interview with the insurgent
leaders, General Sosa and Juan Santos Mendez, found that no
objection would be made to the steamer’s landing, and upon returning
on board the landing was made, passengers and freight discharged,
the funeral of the captain and first officer
[Page 435]
properly attended by their surviving comrades,
and upon the evening of the 19th the steamer proceeded on her voyage
to Nutrias.
In view, therefore, of this recital of facts the undersigned, consuls
of foreign powers, merchants engaged in business in Ciudad Bolivar
and with the interior ports, and strangers temporarily resident in
this portion of the republic, enter their solemn protest, in the
name of humanity and international right, against such wanton
sacrifice of valuable lives, such exposure to deadly peril of
innocent passengers, women and children, such reckless disregard of
the rights of neutral property, and such interruption to trade,
commerce, and enterprises of internal improvement. Uniting,
therefore, unanimously in the following resolutions:
Resolved, That in the death of Captain John W.
Hammer, for sixteen years so intimately associated with this great
enterprise of steam communication with the interior, a man so
energetic in purpose, so gentle and generous in disposition, and so
honorable and disinterested in all his transactions, this community
has experienced an irreparable loss, and each of us, individually, a
valued and tried friend. That while we mourn his loss, there is
alleviation in the consideration of the noble courage and intense
devotion to duty evidenced in that closing scene of his life, when,
mindful only of the interests of the defenceless, he fell in the
endeavor to secure their safety.
Resolved, That our sincere sympathies be
tendered to Mrs. Hammer and Mrs. de Brissot, with their families, in
view of this overwhelming affliction which has so suddenly fallen
upon them.
Resolved, That the thanks of the merchants of
this city, and the passengers on board the steamer Apure, are due
and are hereby tendered to Mr. Caufield, first engineer, and Mr.
Stackpole, third engineer, for their courageous attention to duty
throughout that perilous night; as also to Mr. Salom, the secretary
of the steamer, for his unwearied exertions and attention to the
commercial interests so unexpectedly devolving upon him in the
resumption and prosecution of the voyage of the steamer.
Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and
these resolutions be presented to his excellency General José L.
Arismendi, with the thanks of this meeting for his prompt and
energetic measures towards a thorough examination into the details
of this outrage, coupled with the assurance that confidence is
placed in his determination and ability to establish security,
maintain order and administer justice throughout the boundaries of
his presidency of Guayana.
Resolved, That copies shall also be presented
to the consuls of foreign states here represented, with the request
that they be forwarded to their respective governments.
Resolved, That the same shall be published in
the Spanish language in the daily papers of this city.
JOHN DALTON, U. S. Consul, President.
L. PLASSARD, Vice-Consul of France,
Vice-President.
KENNETH MATHISON, H. B. N. Vice-Consul.
H. KROHN, Consul of the Hanseatic Cities.
H. COCRLAENDER, Vice-Consul of Denmark.
ANTO. BATALLA, Vice-Consul of Spain.
CHRISTIANO VICENTINI, Consular Delegate of
Italy.
DESTEIN, Vice-Consul of Brazil.
C. VANSELOW, Consul of Prussia.
ANTO. DALLA COSTA, Consul of Sweden and
Norway.
ADOLP VINNEN, Consul of Hanover.
T. FELDHUSEN, Consul of Oldenburg.
M. PLESSMANN, Acting Vice-Consul of the
Netherlands.
THEO. MONCH, Hamburg.
R GROSS, Bremen.
L. BROCKMANN, Lubeck.
H. HOLST, Hamburg.
J. B. AUSTIN, New York, U. S.
A VOZELTTTS Denmark
WILLIAM DALTON, Brooklyn, U. S.
D. M. BATTISTINI, France.
H. SPRICK, Hanover.
FELIX CAZABAT, France.
OSCAR G. D. MONCH. Hamburg.
HERMAN R. MONCH, Hamburg.
A. KOENITZER, England.
H. LARRIEU, France.
JOHN WULFF. New York, V. S.
F. UMLAUFF, Hamburg.
F. PRAHL, Lubeck.
H. HUGUENIN, Cassel.
THEO. ALDAG, Hamburg.
CARLOS ARNESEN, Denmark.
HERM. BOLLAND, Bremen.
A. VAUDAIS, France.
ALEX. McCALLUM, Maine, V. S.
L. MORGAN DAVIS, Philadelphia, U. S.
J. M. PERFETTI, France.
A. BFRATTO, Italy.
C FRUSTUCK. France.
LOR. LOREXZEN, Hamburg.
C. A. SOULE, France.
On motion of the British consul, seconded by the consul of the
Hanseatic Cities, the preamble and resolutions were unanimously
adopted, and afterwards signed by the gentlemen present; whereupon
Mr. Krohn moved the following:
Resolved, That the merchants and citizens of
this place be requested to unite in a subscription for the erection
of a monument upon the public esplanade of this city, to the memory
of Captain John W. Hammer, and that a committee be appointed to
collect subscriptions, procure from the authorities a suitable
location, and attend to the purchase and erection of the
memorial.
[Page 436]
This resolution having been passed unanimously, the chairman named
Mr. Krohn, Mr. Antonio Dalla Costa, and Doctor Passard as members of
the committee, and the meeting thereupon adjourned.
Ciudad Bolivar, November 12,1865.
D.
Mr. Culver to Mr. Seijas
Legation of the United
States, Caracas,
January 20,
1866,
Sir: It is near two months since the
undersigned was assured by your excellency, in your note of the 25th
of November last, that the government of Venezuela had ordered an
investigation as to the cause of the death of Captain J. W. Hammer,
and other citizens of the United States, at Apurito, on the Upper
Orinoco.
The undersigned has been informed that such an investigation has been
had at Ciudad de Bolivar, and the depositions touching the same
taken before the judge of the first instance, and forwarded to
Caracas; and the undersigned has waited with some surprise at the
delay to be advised, as your excellency had assured him he should
be, of the result of that investigation, and of the opinion and
purposes of the government touching the same.
The undersigned has been pained to notice not only the entire silence
of the press in this capital supposed to represent the views of the
government, as to the facts and character of that outrage, but also
the silence of the government itself.
The undersigned has seen, as he has no doubt the government has, the
testimony taken on that investigation. No doubt can remain as to the
character and atrocity of the outrage. These unoffendig citizens
were plying their legitimate vocation in the waters of Venezuela
under the invitation and promised protection of its authorities.
They had violated no law, were parties to no plot or treason, and no
crime or offence was imputed to them, when they were fired upon by
an armed body of rebel forces, commanded by insurgent chiefs, and
their lives wantonly sacrificed.
And as some weeks have transpired since the facts established on the
investigation have been before the public and the government, the
undersigned deems it his duty to inquire of the government whether
it has ordered the arrest and trial of those chiefs; what action it
has taken or purposes to take in the premises. The undersigned can
hardly believe it possible that the authorities of Venezuela should
allow this outrage to go unredressed; these murderers to go
unwhipped of justice. What adds to the pain and solicitude of the
undersigned is the report that comes to him that the insurrectionary
party committing these murders has been recognized by the general
government as the legitimate government party in the State of
Apure.
The undersigned will wait with anxiety to be advised, in reply to
this note, of the action and purpose of the government of Venezuela,
to the end that he may communicate with his government; and in the
mean time he renews to Mr. Srijas the assurance of his distinguished
consideration.
His Excellency Señor Rafael Seijas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, &c., &
c., & c.
