Mr. Partridge to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, July 22, 1893.
(Received August 1.)
No. 64.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 7th
instant, upon the petition of the general agents of the French Transatlantic
Company, a decree was issued by this Government giving preference in
facilities for loading and discharging cargo “to postal steamers,
principally those which have postal agents on board named by the French
Government.” (Copy and translation of decree inclosed.) As such a preference
would work to the disadvantage of the steamers of the Red D Line, which are
under contract to carry the mails between the United States and Venezuela,
their agent in this city made a representation with respect thereto to the
minister of war. To-day they have received a reply to the effect that a
supplementary decree will be promptly issued putting all mail steamers upon
the same basis, and providing that they shall all be afforded port
facilities in the order of their arrival.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
64.—Translation.]
United
States of Venezuela,
Ministry of War and
Marine,
Direction of
Marine,
Caracas,
July 7, 1893.
Resolved, Having examined the petition which
Messrs. C. Hellmund & Co., general agents for Venezuela of the
General French Transatlantic Company, directs to this office, requesting
of the Government a resolution by which the administrators of customs of
the Republic, in their characters of captains of the port, may be
sufficiently authorized, so that postal steamers, principally those
which have postal agents on board named by the French Government, may be
able to load and discharge in the ports of their itinerary in Venezuela
without any delay which would prejudice their passengers and commerce
through lack of connection with the different
[Page 734]
steamers of the Pacific, which sail upon dates
connected with the arrival of the postal steamers at Colon, and the
cabinet considering the justice of the reasons adduced, the chargé of
the executive power of the Republic has been pleased to accede to said
petition.
Let it be communicated and published.
By the national executive,
