Mr. Haselton to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, December 10,
1894. (Received December 29.)
No. 28.]
Sir: Pursuant to your instruction No. 20, of
October 25 last, I had an interview with the minister of foreign affairs
regarding the opening to vessels of the United States of the various
mouths or bayous of the Orinoco River which are now closed to them.
Subsequently we exchanged notes upon the subject, copies of which are
inclosed, together with a translation of the communication of the [Page 801] minister. Nothing was said in
our conversation above referred to which is not in substance embodied in
the notes.
It will be seen that the Government of Venezuela urges the prevention of
contraband trade as the reason for its restrictive measures, and
suggests the establishment of a port upon the Gulf of Paria as a means
of facilitating commerce without prejudice to its revenues.
I shall make inquiries as to the practicability of establishing a
satisfactory port upon the above-named gulf, about, which I have some
doubts, with a view to determining and reporting how far the announced
purpose of Venezuela is in its results likely to meet the views of our
Government and the commercial requirements of the future.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 28.]
Mr. Haselton to
Señor Rojas.
Mr. Minister: Under instructions from the
Department of State at Washington, I desire respectfully to express
to the Government of your excellency the earnest desire of the
Government which I represent, that ships of the United States may be
allowed free navigation of the several mouths or bayous of the
Orinoco River which are now closed to them.
The Government of the United States would regard such a re opening to
navigation as an act of friendliness, and as a step taken in the
interest of the commerce of the two countries.
I take, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
28.—Translation.]
Señor Rojas to
Mr. Haselton.
Most Excellent Sir: I had the honor to
receive the polite communication of your excellency of the 27th of
November last, sent to manifest the earnest desire of the Government
of the United States that vessels of that nation might be permitted
to navigate’ freely the several mouths or bayous of the Orinoco, and
to express moreover that the reopening of the said passages would be
esteemed as an act of friendship and a step leading to the increase
of the commerce of both countries.
The motive which guided the executive power when it made use of the
perogatives conferred upon it by the constitution and the national
code of finance and closed to foreign commerce by decree of July 1,
1893, ratified the 6th of June of this year, all entrances to the
Orinoco other than the “Boca Grande,” was to prevent contraband
trade, the cause of the financial instability, and to assure the
life of the mercantile and industrial enterprises, which derive
their security from a strict compliance with the law. The results
reached have fully justified the steps taken; but nevertheless the
Government, although unable at present to annul the law, yet
desiring as it does at the proper time to promote those interests
which can in any manner be furthered by fluvial navigation, proposes
to establish a port of transshipment at a place near to the Gulf of
Paria, destined for foreign freight that is to be consumed at [Page 802] places situated on the
banks of the Orinoco and that may arrive in vessels that find
difficulty in entering by the “Boca de Navios,” which alone is
to-day open to foreign commerce.
This purpose when carried into effect will be equivalent to what
seems to be the desire of the United States, which, moreover, will
be particularly satisfactory to the Government of Venezuela, as it
has always a special interest in removing obstacles that can oppose
the greater development of the commercial relations of Venezuela
with the Great Republic of the North.
I renew, etc.,
