Department
of State,
Washington, April 22,
1885.
No. 59.]
[Inclosure in No. 59.]
Mr. Bird to Mr.
Hunter.
United
States Consulate,
La
Guayra, March 16,
1885.
No. 202.]
Sir: As pertinent to the subject of dispatch
numbered 201 of date March 14, instant, from this consulate, and as
supplemental thereto, I have the honor to communicate the following
additional information:
On the morning of February 22, ultimo, the day after the casualty to the
American vessel Lanie Cobb, the master of the Venezuelan vessel, Ana
Eulogia, was ordered to Caracas, and on arrival there was committed to
prison, where he still remains. The crew of the Lanie Cobb stated that
the said master was in his cabin in a state of intoxication when the
collision occurred, and from his known intemperate habits this statement
maybe regarded as highly probable.
Attention is directed to the fact that although the captain of the port
was informed on February 24 ultimo, through an official note from this
consulate as well as in a personal and official interview with him on
the same day, of the damages done to the American vessel by the
Venezuelan vessel, yet, contrary to all precedent in such cases, he
permitted the Venezuelan vessel to sail from the port on the following
night.
On the 2d instant, as the American vessel was about to sail a party of
Venezuelan officials went alongside or on board of her. It has been
since learned that they had resolved themselves into some sort of
commission, had investigated the matter in the absence of the crews of
both vessels, and without any notice given to this consulate, and had
arrived at a judicial conclusion that the American was not entitled to
recover damages, and that this action had been
submitted to and approved by the President himself.
I am, &c.,
