No. 454.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, May 6, 1884.
(Received May 19.)
No. 918.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 839 of date February 6
last, and to your dispatch numbered 276, of date February 29 last, both
relative to the case of Mr. John E. Wheelock, I write to say in reply to
your dispatch numbered 286, of date 8th ultimo, relative to the same case,
that I have, as promptly as practicable, executed the instruction contained
in the last-mentioned dispatch, wherein I am informed that it is found to be
inexpedient and impracticable to accept the contention of the Venezuelan
Government in that case, and wherein I am accordingly directed to renew the
demand heretofore made in Mr. Wheelock’s behalf, and to press it with all
consistent dispatch to a speedy and equitable conclusion.
I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the note which I have this day
addressed to Señor Amengual in the premises. Though not long, it is intended
to be a complete, accurate, and properly phrased execution of your
instruction.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure to dispatch No.
918.]
Mr. Baker to Mr.
Amengual.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, May 6,
1884.
Sir: Referring to the case of Mr. John E.
Wheelock, and for accurate understanding, referring particularly to the
verbal note of his excellency the minister of exterior relations, Senor
Seijas, to myself, of date 19th of January last, indicating to me, with
reference to interviews touching that case, that at that opportunity
instructions on the particular were given to the chargé d’affaires of
Venezuela at Washington, I have now to say, in pursuance of an
instruction recently received from my Government, that it finds it
inexpedient and impracticable to accept the contention of the Venezuelan
Government in that case; and that I am accordingly directed to renew the
demand heretofore made in Mr. Wheelock’s behalf, and to press it with
all consistent dispatch to a speedy and equitable conclusion.
In complying with this instruction of my Government, permit me to recall
your excellency’s attention to the signal and enormous cruelty of the
outrage perpetrated upon the person of Mr. Wheelock by the Venezuelan
commissary Sotillo and his accomplices; to the long time that the case
has been pending in your excellency’s ministry; to the numerous times
that in pursuance of instructions from my Government it has been urged
upon the attention of your excellency’s Government; and to respectfully
add that, in the view which my Government takes of its obligation to
protect its citizens, and in the view which it takes of the facts and
the law of this case, it appears to me that the case has now reached a
stage when no other discussion than that which looks directly to its
equitable settlement can longer be profitable.
I avail, &c.,
