Mr. Scruggs to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, September 7, 1892.
(Received September 19.)
No. 325.]
Sir: Messrs. H. L. Boulton & Co., of this city,
agents of the American line of steamers, known as the “Red D,” which ply
regularly between New York and the Venezuelan ports via Curaçao, have, upon
several occasions during the present civil war, been applied to by one or
the other of the several factions contending for power for use of their
steamers out of their regular itinerary. In a note of the 31st instant, a
copy of which I inclose, the agents referred the matter to me.
In my reply of the same date, a copy of which is likewise submitted, I
advised them to uniformly, but courteously, refuse all such service, as the
surest method of preserving the neutral character of their vessels and of
avoiding troublesome questions.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in 325.]
Messrs. Boulton & Co.
to Mr. Scruggs.
Caracas, August 31,
1892.
Sir: As agents of and shareholders in the
American line of steamers, known as “The Red D Line,” we have on
different occasions been asked by one or other of the two military
factions now at war in this country for the service of our steamers, and
especially for that of the auxiliary steamer, the Merida, and fearing that such service may prejudice the
neutrality of the line, as well as our own, and affect moreover the
postal contract we are under with the Government of the United States
for carrying the mail between the two countries, we take the liberty of
applying to you, with the object of asking the favor of your opinion and
advice on these all important points, as we are naturally desirous of
doing no act that may compromise the steamers, as American vessels, or
as the property of the Red D Line, or in anywise endanger bur
neutrality, or failing in the performance of the postal contract of the
Red D Line with the American Government.
At the same time we are anxious at all times to prove to the authorities
of this country, whether legitimate or revolutionary, whenever the
services of the steamers may be applied for, that we are not acting from
caprice or as partisans of this or that side in our refusal to comply
with their wish.
We shall feel particularly obliged if you will favor us at your earliest
convenience with an answer to this note, and thanking you beforehand for
your courtesy,
We remain, etc.,
H. L. Boulton & Co.
[Page 621]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 325.]
Mr. Scruggs to
Messrs. Boulton & Co.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, August 31,
1892.
Gentlemen: Replying to your courteous note of
this date, I have to say that the ships of the Red D Line, being
registered American vessels, entitled to all the privileges and
immunities as such, and being besides under contract with the United
States Government for carrying the mails, can not be chartered or
otherwise used by any one of the factions now contending for power in
Venezuela, without manifest prejudice to their neutral character and to
the interests of the United States. It is hoped, therefore, that you
will courteously but firmly refuse to allow them to be so used.
I am, etc.,
