Mr. Becerra to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, May 27, 1885. (Received May 27.)
Sir: I have information whose authenticity and reliable source sufficiently authorize me to assure the Government of the honorable Secretary of State that the brig Ambrose Light, captured on the 17th instant by the American war vessel Alliance, in the Caribbean Sea, under circumstances which caused her, with reason, to be suspected, was bought in Philadelphia for the use of the Colombian rebels by their agent, Benjamin Gaitan, who sent her with some munitions of war to the scene of the rebellion, where she was detailed for the transportation of troops. The said agent, the purchaser of the vessel, has just given this information to the Colombian consul at New York, assuredly because the rebellion being overcome, he has no further interest in pursuing or in concealing his operations.
I therefore request the honorable Secretary of State to be kind enough to consider the information alluded to and to forward it, in the manner he may deem most appropriate, to the officer intrusted with elucidating the facts relative to the ownership, character, and capture of the said vessel.
It gives me pleasure to renew, &c.,