No. 805.
Mr. Russell to Mr. Fish.
July 13, 1874. (Received August 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to report that many applications for relief have been made at this office by immigrants from the United States, who complain that they were deceived by false promises of high wages. They all came by the steamer Albemarle, and the agent of that steamer promptly agreed to carry home all that had applied before her return.
The Venezuelan government is wholly blameless in the matter, and has, through the board of immigration, treated these men with great kindness and consideration.
Their grievance is, that one Zander, a passenger agent at New York, has represented that each laborer would receive $1.65 in gold. No such wages are paid in this country for unskilled labor. And I write, because it may be deemed an act of humanity to warn our people against such misstatements. The condition of many who have come is deplorable.
I am, &c,