Mr. Seward to Señor Ribas.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has just now come to the knowledge of a note which was addressed to him by Señor Florencio Ribas, chargé d’affaires for Venezuela, on the 5th of August. In that note Señor Ribas assumes that it is already known to the undersigned that the federal district and capital of Venezuela have been occupied by a revolutionary party, and that a new provisional and military government has been established at Caracas for the republic of Venezuela, under a decree by the general-in-chief of the successful army.
Señor Ribas further assumes that it is known to this government that the constitutional government of the United States of Venezuela has removed itself to the city of Puerto Cabello, where it continues to exercise [Page 992] its authority. Standing upon these assumptions, Señor Ribas inquires of the undersigned what will be the conduct and policy of this government upon the state of things thus described in Venezuela.
In reply to the note thus recited the undersigned has the honor to state, for the information of Señor Ribas, that the legation of the United States for Venezuela remains at Caracas, which is understood to have been the constitutional capital of the United States of Venezuela. That the legation is authorized to hold such communication with the new provisional government established at Caracas as will be essential to save and protect the rights of the United States and their citizens. This government nevertheless receives for ulterior consideration the question of the formal recognition of the provisional government now existing at Caracas, or such other government there or elsewhere as may claim such recognition.
Señor Ribas is further infomed that the provisional government which is thus established at Caracas has given official notice to his government that the powers of his excellency Blas Bruzual as minister, and also those of Señor Ribas as secretary of legation for the United States of Venezuela to the United States of America, have been withdrawn by the provisional government at Caracas; and so the provisional government at Caracas claims that the powers of Señor Blas Bruzual and Señor Ribas have altogether ceased. Señor Ribas is further informed that this department has received notice from Señor Miguel Garcia Mesa, who writes in the capacity of minister for foreign relations for the republic of Venezuela, that the constitutional government of the United States of Venezuela has been removed from Caracas, and that it is now established in Puerto Cabello, under the supreme executive authority of General Bruzual, military chief of the so-called constitutional forces at Puerto Cabello. In the notice thus reviewed, that minister protests against and denounces the provisional government which is established at Caracas as factious, and unconstitutional and altogether void.
The receipt of the last-mentioned communication has been duly acknowledged by this government, on the 24th instant, to the writer thereof.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to tender to Mr. Ribas a renewed assurance of his high consideration.
Señor Florencio Ribas, &c., &c., &c.