No. 466.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, October 13, 1884.
(Received October 28.)
No. 1027.]
Sir: Referring generally to the past correspondence
between myself and the Department relative to the Dalton case, and
especially to my Nos. 994 and 938, relative thereto, I have the honor to
inclose herewith, a copy of a dispatch, of date 23d ultimo, from Mr. William
Henderson, United States vice-consul at Ciudad Bolivar, to myself, relative
to said case.
* * * * * * *
Mr. Henderson’s dispatch was received on the 10th instant, and I bring it
promptly to the attention of the Department, at the same time drawing
attention to what I say in my dispatch in response thereto.
* * * * * * *
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 1027.]
Mr. Henderson to
Mr. Baker.
Consulate of the United States,
Ciudad Bolivar, September 23,
1884.
Sir: I have the honor of owning receipt of your
dispatch dated August 29, last, and must beg your pardon for my seeming
inattention in not answering your dispatch of 29th May, but the fact of
the matter was that said dispatch arrived on or about the time of the
death of my late superior, Mr. Dalton, and was, unfortunately, mislaid.
As regards the imprisonment of Mr. John Dalton, jr., in the place of his
father, would say when Mr. Dalton, sr., was notified of his arrest
(along with the other principal merchants of this place) he was confined
in his bed in a very low state of health, so much so that his doctor
said his life would be endangered should he be put in prison. For this
reason the president of this state of Bolivar, Mr. José Ma. Bermudez
Grau, accepted as a substitute his son John Dalton, jr., who remained
under arrest three days.
Regarding the citizenship of John Dalton, jr., I am quite sure it would
not be recognized here, as according to the laws of this country (as per
message to the congress of the ex-President Guzman Blanco) any person
born in Venezuela is a Venezuelan and always remains one. John Dalton,
jr., was born in this town the 17th of April, 1859. He has been educated
in the United States, going there when he was about eight years of age.
He returned from there after having completed twenty-one years. If he
resided in the United States he would be recognized as an American, but
as long as he stays here this Government will not qualify him, but as a
Venezuelan, although his father was an American citizen.
* * * * * * *
Hoping you will please excuse the delay in answering your dispatch, I
have the honor to be, &c.,
WM. HENDERSON,
United States
Vice-Consul.
