Office of the Historian
No. 690.

Mr. Baker to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States,
Caracas, April 22, 1885. (Received May 7.)
No. 80.]

Sir: With reference to your dispatch numbered 51, of date 24th ultimo, relative to the case of the American schooner Lanie Cobb, and instructing me to investigate the case and report whether, in my opinion, the facts are such as to warrant a demand by our Government against that of Yenezuela for damages in favor of the master of the Lanie Cobb, I write to make the preliminary statement that I have given the matter of your said instruction my promptest practicable attention, and havé addressed a dispatch to Mr. Bird, United States consul at La Guayra, of this date (of which I inclose a copy herewith), requesting him to transmit to this legation as promptly as practicable all the information his consulate may be in possession of relative to the case, thus seeking the data essential to the formation of a proper opinion in the case.

I am, &c.,

JEHU BAKER.
[Inclosure in No. 80.]

Mr. Baker to Mr. Bird.

Legation of the United States,
Caracas, April 22, 1885.

Sir: I have recently received an instruction from the Department of State relative to the alleged careless injury of the American schooner Lanie Cobb by the Venezuelan schooner Ana Eulogia, at the port of La Guayra, on the 21st of February last, instructing me to investigate the case, and to report whether in my opinion the facts are such as to warrant a demand by our Government on that of Venezuela for damages in favor of the master of the Lanie Cobb. I will thank you, therefore, if you win transmit to this legation, as promptly as practicable, all the official information which your consulate may be in possession of relative to the case.

I am, &c.,

JEHU BAKER.