Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward.
No. 5.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas,
July 1, 1868.
Sir: On the evening of the 29th ultimo I
received a circular (inclosure No. 1) bearing date June 28, 1868, from
the provisional government, announcing, as you will see by the
translation of the same, (inclosure No. 2, herewith appended,) that they
had organized, in accordance with the decree of General José Tadeo
Monagas, chief of the revolutionary forces, published in El Federalista
newspaper, No. 1,450, Caracas, June 27, 1868. A translation of that
decree will be found in inclosure No. 3. Inclosure No. 4 contains my
reply to the circular of the provisional government above referred to.
It will be observed that I merely formally acknowledge the receipt of
the circular, as I have not as yet received the formal and solemn
assurances I require of the intentions of this government to carry out
in good faith its treaties and conventions with foreign powers, [Page 947] particularly those with the
United States. The revolution has been a great success.
I think its permanent triumph is sure. It undoubtedly represents the
popular will.
The new government is composed of men of great ability and the highest
personal character, chosen without distinction of party, who will
administer the affairs of the nation in a constitutional, just, and
republican manner.
Bruzual, I hear, has escaped from La Guayra to Puerto Cabello, with one
or two war vessels and a few hundred men, with a view, I suppose, of
establishing himself there. General Monagas is about to follow by the
interior, with a large and well-equipped army, flushed with victory and
confident of future triumphs.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Villegas to Mr. Pruyn.
UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA, FOREIGN
AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL SECTION—No.l.
[Circular.]
In conformity with the decree promulgated yesterday by the general
and chief of the revolution army, and which was published in the
Federalista, No. 1,450, the individuals appointed to constitute, as
ministers, the national executive administration, have assembled
to-day at the government house, and have declared it installed under
the character of provisional, after having elected the undersigned
to preside over them.
The new government intends to fulfill worthily the duties prescribed
by the confidence which has been placed in it; and, being among the
principal ones to cultivate the good relations of Venezuela with the
friendly nations, is happy to inform the commercial agent in charge
of the American legation that it will be very satisfactory to him to
carry out this purpose.
The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to present to Mr.
Pruyn the testimony of his distinguished consideration.
Commercial Agent
In charge of the Legation of the United States
of America.
[Translation.]
DECREE.
Article L The heads of the national
executive administration shall continue being the same that the
letter of the constitution establishes, and shall be presided over
by one of the six ministers of the cabinet/whom his colleagues may
elect by absolute majority of votes.
Proviso.—The vacancies that may occur in said
ministry shall be filled by election and vote in absolute majority
of the remaining ministers.
Art. 2. On the members of the ministry
being appointed, the minister designated that shall preside over it,
and thus reconstituted the national executive power, the latter
shall proceed to urge the States to send their senators and deputies
to the constitutional congress of 1889, the consequent popular
elections being holden.
Art. 3. I appoint to serve the six
ministers that the law establishes the following citizens, namely:
For that of the interior and justice, Citizen Mateo Guerra Marcano;
for that of the treasury, Citizen Marcos Santana* for that of war
and navy, Citizen General Domingo Monagas; for that of the foreign
relations, Citizen Doctor Guillermo [Page 948] Tell Villegas; for that of the public works,
Citizen Doctor Nicanor Borges; for that of the public credit,
Citizen Doctor Antonio Parejo.
Art. 4. Immediately that the citizens
appointed have accepted their offices constituting the council of
ministers, and appointed who shall preside over it, the exercise of
all administrative functions in national affairs ceases on the part
of whatsoever other authorities de facto or
de jure at present existing; and the
revolutionary forces shall remain under the orders of the national
executive, in such form reconstituted.
Proviso.—The actual general-in-chief of the
armies of the revolution shall relinquish that character with which
he has been invested by the people when the complete pacification of
the country and the government thereof, conformable to the federal
democratic system, shall conclude the task for the performance of
which he has been called to that post.
Let it be communicated and published.
Given in Caracas
on the
27th of June, 1868, fifty-eighth of the national
independence, and the thirty-eighth of the republic of
Venezuela.
JOSÉ TADES MONAGAS.
Mr. Pruyn to Señor Villegas.
Legation of the United
States,
Caracas,
June 30, 1868.
Sir: The undersigned, commercial agent of
the United States legation at Caracas, has the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your excellency’s dispatch, marked circular No. 1,
bearing date June 28.
It will afford the undersigned pleasure to reply to its contents in
detail at an early day.
The undersigned avails himself of this his first opportunity to
assure Mr. Villegas of his distinguished regard and
consideration.
Hon. Guillermo Tell Villegas,
In charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs
of Venezuela, &c., &c.
