Mr. Wilson to Mr.
Seward
No. 7.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, November 7, 1866.
Sir: I beg to make known to the department that
on the 13th ultimo there arrived at the port of La Guayra, from London,
the Venezuelan war steamer Bolivar, lately purchased in that city for
this government. She was officered and manned by officers and men, it is
said, of the royal navy, who had been granted leave of absence for one
year to enter the service of the republic. The contracts made by the
consul of Venezuela were such, so far as concerned the officers and
crew, that the government felt they could not be complied with under the
provisions of the federal constitution, of which Captain Focke was duly
apprised. Meanwhile the crew became clamorous for their pay, alleged to
be due under the contract.
While these matters were under discussion, and before any conclusion had
been arrived at, Captain Focke went aboard his vessel on the evening of
the 30th ultimo at about nine o’clock; the Venezuelan portion of the
crew was shortly after put into an open boat without oars, and the
vessel took flight for parts unknown.
To what extent the captain is personally guilty is here a disputed
question, for it is stated by some, on the authority of the Venezuelan
sailors, that as soon as he went on board he was locked up in his cabin,
and the orders to raise anchor given by the first officer; while by
others it is asserted that the captain only carried out his previously
expressed determination, to which latter opinion I am inclined.
However it may be, the vessel has disappeared, and the government of
Venezuela, as you will perceive from the enclosed translation of a note
from Mr. Seijas, dated October 31, 1866, received by me on the 5th
instant, (which translation [Page 448] is
marked enclosure 1,) asks that, in case she has taken refuge in the
waters of the United States, she may be attached and delivered to her
lawful owners.
I have not deemed it necessary to enter into many of the details of this
extraordinary transaction on account of their contradictory character,
and also because of the full statement of the affair in the
communication of the minister of foreign relations, which I submit for
your consideration.
With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
No. 1.
[Translation.]
Mr. Seijas to Mr. Wilson
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN
RELATIONS—CENTRAL SECTION—NUMBER 483.
Caracas,
October 31,1866,
Third year of the law and eighth of
the federation.
The minister of foreign relations of the United States of Venezuela
has the honor to address the minister resident of the United States,
and by order of the executive of the nation make known to the
legation the following facts.
The steamer Bolivar, which arrived from London on the 13th of the
present month, was purchased in that city, for the republic, on the
31st of January last, with the intention of employing her in its
naval service. She was furnished with a Venezuelan commission in
that understanding, and brought out an English commander, officers
and crew, according to contracts made by the consul of this country
in the city of London.
The government could not approve them, as it was agreed, among other
things, that Captain John Focke should not be required to serve
under the orders of any officer unless he were of the English navy,
and of a higher rank than himself, and that in case a change of
officers and crew took place the English portion should never be
reduced to less than half of their whole number.
It being, moreover, an attribute of the national legislature,
according to article 43, paragraph 25, of the constitution, to
permit or refuse to foreigners admission into the public service, it
was shown to the captain that this was a serious difficulty, and
that the only means of remedying it, and avoiding others that might
result from their being British subjects, (under the supposition
that they continued in employ on other terms,) was that they should
renounce their character (cualidad) of foreigners, otherwise the
administration resolved to relieve them, paying what it owed them up
to the day, according to stipulation maintaining them until an
occasion presented itself for their departure, and defraying the
expenses of their return home.
The captain assented with good will to this solution, and even stated
that he himself had expected it would be so, because the government
could not act differently, but that with respect to the officers and
crew it was necessary to consult them. He went from here to La
Guayra with this view, presenting on his return propositions on the
acceptance of which depended his annulling the previous contracts.
As exorbitant and unbecoming they were refused, and the government
maintained its announced determination.
General Benjamin Arriens, chief of the squadron, was sent on board of
the vessel, and as an order of his was disobeyed the captain was
again called, and it was resolved that he should return to La Guayra
in company with the minister of war and marine, in order that he
might deliver over the command to his appointed successor.
All went on board of the vessel and General Aniens was recognized as
commander of the same.
After disembarking, the captain, who in everything had shown himself
in perfect accord with the government and the views of the
executive, hinted that the best way to come to an understanding with
the crew of the vessel was for him to go alone to see them and offer
them payment for the month, which expired on the 27th instant. His
wish being granted he went on board, and instead of returning to
shore, he fled with the vessel at midnight. They left the Venezuelan
crew (which had been placed on board) in a boat without oars; they
were saved because they had the good fortune to fall in with a
fisherman’s smack, which brought them to the shore at one o’clock a.
m.
Such scandalous rebellion, which constitutes a real act of piracy,
(because the vessel [Page 449]
belongs to Venezuela, and as such flies her flag and pennant,
carries her arms carved on the stern, and said officers and crew
were considered in the service of the republic,) has caused the
citizen primer designado to order, in consideration of this
statement, that a demand be made for the attachment and delivery of
the steamer Bolivar, with all her appurtenances, in the belief that
her course may have been directed to the waters of the United
States. And it is hoped from the kindness of the minister resident
that he will be good enough to communicate these facts to his
government, recommending and urging the just request of
Venezuela.
The undersigned renews to Mr. Wilson the assurance of his
distinguished consideration.
God and federation!
