Mr. Wilson to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 16, of date of April 6th, in reference to the claims of the representatives of the American citizens killed on the steamer Apure, in 1865. With all due respect, I beg leave to state that, while regretting that my government has not in this case deemed proper to adopt more active measures, still, as it continues to be of the opinion that the families of those citizens are entitled to indemnification from the republic of Venezuela, it will afford me the highest pleasure to employ every good office in my power in their behalf.
From interviews held with President Falcon, at my request, in regard to this case, and from the conversations had upon this subject, as well as by the sympathy expressed by him at the time in favor of the families of the victims, I am led to believe that some voluntary action of this republic in their behalf may yet be obtained without submitting the matter to the great delay of the payments of the international commission. Knowing, however, the almost entire want of faith to be placed in the promises of this government, I have considered it my duty, without entering into any further discussion, to press earnestly and repeatedly the necessity of immediate relief to those unfortunate families, informed, as I am, of their extreme destitution.
President Falcon is at this time absent from Caracas, but will return soon. I shall then take the earliest opportunity of speaking to him again in regard to this case, and will exert to the utmost my good offices for immediate relief and liberal indemnification in favor of those distressed parties.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.