Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1901

Mr. Russell to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Caracas , July 14, 1901.

No. 643.]

Sir: I have the honor to herewith forward a copy and translation of the answer to my note to the foreign office in regard to the anchorage of the U. S. S. Mayflower in a port of the island of Margarita. I also inclose a copy of my note.

I think the incident is now closed.

I have, etc.,

William W. Russell.

[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Russell to Mr. Blanco.

Legation of the United States,
Caracas , June 26, 1901.

Me. Minister: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication of June 15, 1901, in regard to the anchorage of the United States man-of-war Mayflower in a port of the island of Margarita, said port not being open to foreign commerce.

The Department of State, in a communication dated May 24, 1901, requested to be furnished with a list of the Venezuelan ports^a not open to foreign commerce, and your excellency, at my request, kindly furnished me with said list, which was sent to Washington by the mail which left La Guaira June 16, last. So that at the time of the departure of the Mayflower for the Venezuelan coast both the State and Navy Departments were in ignorance as to what ports a foreign man-of-war could not enter.

The Mayflower’s visit to the island of Margarita was made in accordance with custom, and with no intention to violate any of the Venezuelan laws, and my Government, desirous of maintaining its friendly relations with Venezuela, has in this instance merely followed the precedents of former years in sending one of its war vessels to Venezuela on a friendly visit.

In requesting your excellency to acquaint His Excellency the President of the contents of this communication, I beg to be allowed to renew to you the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.

William W. Russell.

Mr. Blanco to Mr. Russell .

[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
United States of Venezuela,
Caracas , July 3, 1901.

Sir: On receiving your attentive note of the 26th of last month in regard to the entrance of the man-of-war Mayflower into a port of the island of Margarita, I informed the President of the Republic of its contents. The President took note of all you had to say on the subject, and in addition expressed himself as being much gratified at the prompt investigation made by you of this matter, which was of the utmost importance as referring to the categorical provisions of a law of Venezuela.

Accept, etc.,

Eduardo Blanco.

1. For law in regard to entrance of foreign men-of-war into Venezuelan ports see inclosure with dispatch No. 610, page 546. For list of open ports see dispatch No. 655, p. 549.