[Extract.]
Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward.
No. 13.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas,
July 22, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith, for
the information of the department, a communication dated July 7 but
received July 18 inclosure No. 1, with the translation of the same,
inclosure No. 2, relative to the conduct of General J. M. Aristiguieta,
the chief of staff of General Bruzual, before and during the recent
siege of Caracas. In inclosure No. 3 will be found a copy of the
argument between General Aristiguieta and General José T. Monagas,
concerning terms of capitulation, &c., and inclosure No. 4 contains
a translation of the same. * * *
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, DEPARTMENT
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, CENTRAL BUREAU—No. 75.
Caracas,
July 7, 1868.
Fifth year of the law and tenth of the
federation.
The undersigned, minister of foreign affairs of the United States of
Venezuela, has the honor to call the attention of the incumbent of
the legation of the United States to the inclosed authorized copy of
the convention which, on the 25th of last month, was entered into
with General J. M. Aristiguieta, chief of staff of the forces of
General Bruzual: a communication which had not been made heretofore,
because it was still doubted that the convention, conceded by the
generosity of the conquerors, would have been violated to the point
of attacking neutral interests.
After the army of General Bruzual became completely conquered within
this city, where it had intrenched itself in its rash resistance,
those who had taken refuge in the barrack of Saint Carlos proposed
to surrender themselves to the conquerors. Their surrender was
accepted and guarantees were conceded to them under the stipulations
of that covenant, wherein General Aristiguieta in his expressed
characters bound
[Page 956]
himself
by his word of honor to deliver up all the individuals of the troops
and elements of war upon which the government counted, which he had
defended, the town of La Guayra, and the forces there existing, and
to give orders for the delivery of the vessels of war of the nation,
the castle and town of Puerto Cabello, and other points garrisoned
by national forces, together with all the elements of war that they
might have.
Far from having fulfilled the convention, the conquered took away
with them from La Guayra the garrison, armament, and ammunitions,
not without first rendering useless the artillery, too cumbersome to
transport, and, after seizing the vessels of war, went off to Puerto
Cabello.
From the facts set forth, and others that are notorious, it is
evidently deduced that no right assists the refugees in Puerto
Cabello to decree blockades, nor any other measures hostile to the
government of the republic.
As the national executive has information that the herein mentioned
legation has received some note relative to the matter, he has
deemed it opportune to convey this copy to it, as a new foundation
for its ulterior proceedings, which, the uudersigned hopes with
reason, will be conformable to the principles of justice that have
always distinguished the relations of friendly nations with
Venezuela.
The undersigned, &c., &c. Union and liberty.
[Translation.]
The general-in-chief of the armies of the revolution that have
occupied the city of Caracas, to the end of causing to cease
fraternal bloodshed, and the painful situation that afflicts the
country, concedes to all the individuals who have sustained the
government of General Manuel E. Bruzual the guarantees that the
constitution grants; in consequence, if they should desire to go out
of the territory of the republic, passports in that event shall be
issued to them.
The same general-in-chief insures and guarantees to General Jesus Ma.
Aristiquieta, chief of staff, his departure from the territory by
sea, preferring therefor to make use of a national vessel, if there
should be any in La Guayra, in which case General Natividad Mendoza
shall be the chief of said vessel.
General Jesus Ma. Aristiquieta, in his character of chief of staff of
the defensive forces of that government, shall deliver up to the
general-in-chief of the armies of the revolution, or to whom may
represent him, all the individuals of the troops which he commands,
as likewise also the elements of war, upon which the government
counted that he has defended.
The same General Aristiquieta, in the character he holds, shall also
deliver up the town of La Guayra, with the forces that defend or
garrison it, and shall give orders that the vessels of war of the
nation, the castle, and town of Puerto Cabello, and other points
garrisoned by the national forces, together with all the elements of
war that they may contain, be also delivered up to the
general-in-chief of the armies of the revolution, or to whom may
represent him.
General Aristiquieta, for the fulfillment of what may correspond to
him, according to the preceding articles, pledges his word of honor,
towards which end, he signs the present act, which is extended in
duplicate.
Given in Caracas on the 25th of June. 1868.
It is a copy.
RAFAEL SEIJAS, The Secretary of
Foreign Affairs.
