Mr. Stilwell to Mr. Seward.
No. 20.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas,
March 12, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a
copy of a dispatch from the honorable J. G. Ochoa, minister of foreign
affairs of Venezuela, (with a translation thereof, marked inclosures
Nos. 1 and 2,) which dispatch was accompanied by a copy of a
proclamation of the acting President of Venezuela, declaring all the
ports of Venezuela, from the river Ulnare to Conoma Point, a distance of
about six hundred miles, closed and in a state of blockade, a copy of
which proclamation and translation thereof is also herewith inclosed,
marked inclosures Nos. 3 and 4.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Ochoa to Mr. Stilwell.
UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA, DEPARTMENT
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, CENTRAL BUREAU—No. 142.
Caracas,
10th of March, 1868, 5th and
10th.
Sir: The undersigned, minister of foreign
affairs of the United States of Venezuela, has the honor to inform
Mr. Minister Resident of the United States of America, hoping [Page 939] that through his organ it
may come to the knowledge of the government and citizens of his
nation that the national executive, as appears from the annexed copy
of the decree, has declared on yesterday closed and in a state of
blockade the part of the Venezuelan coast that extends from the
mouth of the river Ulnare to Conoma Point, in the State of New
Barcelona.
With such motive the undersigned renews to Mr. Stilwell the
assurances of his distinguished consideration.
God and federation.
Mr. Thomas N. Stilwell,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
[Translation.]
I, Miguel Gil, general-in-chief, primer designado, charged with the
national executive office—
A revolt having taken place in New Barcelona against the political
institutions which the nation has given itself, and it devolving on
the national executive to make use of force and other legal measures
in order to re-establish constitutional order—
DECREE.
Article 1. The coast of the State of New
Barcelona, from the mouth of the river Unare to Conoma Point, is
declared closed.
Art. 2. The same extent of the coast is
also declared in a state of blockade.
Art. 3. If any vessel shall approach any
point of the coast mentioned, the blockading force shall notify her
of the existence of the blockade, noting in its navigation papers
the day and the place, or the bearings in which she was found, and
also the notification made. In case of the vessel insisting in her
pretension to enter, notwithstanding the notice, or if she presents
herself again at said points, she becomes liable to be seized and
detained for the corresponding trial.
Art. 4. For the seizure and detention of
ships that attempt to sail from the blockade coast, the previous
notification prescribed in the foregoing article will not be needed.
But if the vessels that attempt to sail from the port of Barcelona
should have entered it before forming the blockade, their departure
shall not be impeded.
Art. 5. Vessels that convey effects
contraband of war, for the coast of Barcelona, or for the
insurgents, shall also be seized and detained; unless their captains
should agree to deliver them up to the captor, and the latter be
able to take the same on board without difficulty.
Art. 6. The commanders of the blockading
vessels shall proceed with the ships detained for violation of the
blockade, or for carrying contraband goods, in the manner it is
provided for in the ordinances respecting privateering of 1822,
wherein it is not opposed to the foregoing dispositions, being bound
to bring them captured to the port of La Guayra, in order that the
federal high court may try them.
Art. 7. This decree shall be notified to
whom it may concern, and the minister of war and marine shall take
care of its publication and fulfillment.
Given in Caracas on the 9th of March, 1868, 5th of the law, and 10th
of the federation.
MIGUEL GIL.
For the acting national executive:
ANTONIO MATA.
It is a copy:
H. TODD, The Secretary of
Marine.
