The evidence does not show the transfer of the Ambrose Light to have been
performed within United States jurisdiction, as part of a hostile
expeditionary movement against Colombia, or in violation of the
neutrality laws. (United States Revised States, Title LXVII.)
[Inclosure in
inclosure.]
Mr. Root to Mr.
Garland.
[Office of the United States attorney for the southern
district of New York.]
Sir: Your letter of June 2, transmitting a
copy of the note of the Colombian minister of May 27, 1885, to the
Secretary of State, in regard to the brig Ambrose Light, directed me
to take such measures as I might deem proper, to investigate the
facts relative to the ownership, character, and capture of said
vessel, with a view to the prevention of any breach of the
neutrality laws in connection therewith.
I have the honor to report that I have made such investigation, and
that I have been unable to obtain any testimony that substantiates
the statement of the minister that the “Ambrose Light was purchased
at Philadelphia for the Colombian rebels, by their agent, Benjamin
Gaitan, who dispatched her with some munitions of war to the scene
of the rebellion, where she was assigned to the transportation of
troops.”
The Colombian consul when called upon for witnesses whose testimony
would support the charge, named to me two persons who would, if
requested, call at this office and make their declarations. They
were the master of the Ambrose Light, Gaspar Rodriguez, and Benjamin
Gaitan, who is referred to in the minister’s letter.
On my request, Mr. Gaitan called here this morning with Mr. Santiago
Perez Triana, who acted as interpreter. Mr. Gaitan stated that he
did not purchase and was not concerned in the purchase of the
Ambrose Light; that she was not purchased at Philadelphia or any
where in the United States, to his knowledge; that he did not
dispatch her from the United States either with or without munitions
of war to the scene of the rebellion; that he had nothing to do with
her personally, and that the only information that he had about her
was that she was sold at Barranquilla by her American owner to
private persons there, whom he understood to be Ramon Collente and
Adam Gaitan; and that these persons chartered her to the insurgents
for the transport of troops to Cartagena.
The other person named by the consul, Gaspar Rodriguez, did not
respond in person to my request that he would call here, but instead
sent a lawyer, who stated that his client’s information was that the
Ambrose Light was sold by her former American owner at Barranquilla
to Ramon Collente.
The result is that the witnesses cited by the Colombian authorities,
instead of supporting the charge made, speak directly against
it.
Very respectfully, &c.,
ELIHU ROOT,
United States
Attorney.
