File No. 4832/21–29.
Chargé Sleeper to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Caracas, June 22,
1908.
No. 335.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the department’s telegraphic instructions of the 15th instant
(inclosure No 1), relative to the withdrawal of this legation from
Caracas and the transfer of its interests, property, and archives to the
representative of Brazil, Mr. Luis de Lorena Ferreira.
[Page 822]
In reply I beg to advise you that the aforesaid instructions were
received by me on the evening of June 19, and that on the next day I
addressed a note to the minister for foreign affairs of the Republic,
copy herewith inclosed, closely following the phraseology of your
telegram On the afternoon of the 21st instant (Sunday) I received Dr
Paul’s reply (copy and translation inclosed herewith), which was, of
course, either written or dictated by the President himself.
In regard to my request for a safe conduct to my port of departure he
replied that none was needed, inasmuch as the Government of Venezuela,
having no cause for complaint respecting me
personally, would preserve me in the enjoyment of my diplomatic
immunities and prerogatives until my embarkation in Puerto Cabello on
the U. S. S. Marietta, by which phrase he
disposes of my request both for safe conduct and a passport Further
comment on the note is unnecessary, as it speaks for itself.
I have made the necessary arrangements for continuing the rental of the
premises heretofore occupied by the legation and have placed the
archives in the care of Mr. Brewer, the legation clerk.
I also beg to-transmit herewith copies of my note to the Brazilian chargé
d’affaires of the 20th instant, and his reply thereto of the same date,
together with copies of my communication to Monsieur P. Desmartis,
custodian of the archives of the French Legation here, and his reply
thereto and of my letter to the American consuls in Venezuela.
In conclusion I have to inform you that it is my intention to leave here
on the 24th or 25th of this month for Puerto Cabello, where I shall
embark on the Marietta, which should have arrived
by that time, and proceed via Guantanamo to the United States.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Chargé Sleeper
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
Caracas, June 20,
1908.
Mr. Minister: Acting under instructions
from my Government, it devolves upon me to inform your excellency
that in view of the persistent refusal of the present Government of
Venezuela to give redress for the governmental action by which all
American interests in this country have been destroyed or
confiscated, or to submit the claims of American citizens for such
redress to arbitration, and in view of the tone and character of the
communications received from the Venezuelan Government, the
Government of the United States is forced to the conclusion that the
further presence in Caracas of diplomatic representatives of the
United States subserves no useful purpose and has determined to
close its legation in this capital and to place its interests,
property, and archives in Venezuela in the hands of the
representative of Brazil, which country has kindly consented to take
charge thereof.
Pursuant to the aforesaid instructions” I shall intrust the archives
and property of the legation to the care of Mr. Luis de Lorena
Ferreira, and shall proceed to Puerto Cabello and embark on the U.
S. S. Marietta, which should arrive at the
said port at any moment.
I therefore respectfully apply for my passports, and request that I
be given safe conduct to my port of departure and until embarkation
on the Marietta.
I avail, etc.,
[Page 823]
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Chargé Sleeper.
United States of Venezuela,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs,
Caracas, June 20,
1908.
D. P. E. No 730.]
Sir: If the grounds which you set forth in
your note of this date are those on which President Roosevelt
persists in seeking reparation for American interests or
individuals, which are wanting in all reason and right; if this
persistence arrives at the point of wishing that matters again be
submitted to arbitration, which upon the request of the United
States Government were already definitely decided by a tribunal of
arbiters, wherein said Government was duly represented, a pretension
which is equivalent to contradicting itself and protesting against
its own acts; and if, lastly, the tone and character of our clear
and precise arguments have not been pleasing to President Roosevelt,
it is not in any way the fault of the Venezuelan Government if,
obliged to fulfill its duty, it does not permit that there be taken
away and impaired the rights of the nation, free, independent, and
sovereign This attitude can be a motive of congratulation for
Governments truly friendly with Venezuela, because therein are
joined the rights and prerogatives of a whole continent.
It was upon these very worthy considerations that the Government of
Venezuela, in its note of February 29 of the present year, informed
the American minister, in reply to his communication of the 22d of
the same month, that his Government not having presented any
argument which would make its opinion prevail, and the case not
being one calling for diplomatic action, the Government of Venezuela
would view it with satisfaction if President Roosevelt would desist
from his contentions in order that the American claimants should
appeal to the tribunals of the Republic with the submission they owe
to its laws to defend the rights which they might consider injured,
since those laws, to which every foreigner in the country is
subjected, are not to be broken, thereby permitting that there be
substituted for this legal procedure, per saltum, a diplomatic
action.
All this is to be regretted on account of the hereinbefore-mentioned
reasons.
To-day it is the turn of the people of each country to judge of what
has happened, in the light of reason and impartial justice, and from
what their mutual interests and advantages advise, and later of the
sovereign bodies, representatives of those peoples, upon whom it
devolves in each country to take cognizance of and decide the case
in the last resort.
As it is your honor’s Government which has placed an end to your
diplomatic functions in this country and as the Government of
Venezuela has no cause for complaint respecting you personally, this
Government will preserve you in the enjoyment of your diplomatic
immunities and prerogatives until your embarkation in Puerto Cabello
on the steamer Marietta Not only for the
reason above mentioned, that it is not the Government of Venezuela
which bids you leave, but also as our actual situation with the
United States is not that of war, in which case it would be proper
to issue a safe conduct to the diplomatic agent crossing the
territory, my Government does not consider it necessary or fitting
to send it to you for your journey to Puerto Cabello, passing as you
do through civilized and cultured towns which know how to respect
those prerogatives and immunities I take this occasion to remind
your honor that important members of the American Legation and
tourists come to this country for scientific purposes, and
recommended to the aforesaid legation, have traveled over a great
part of the territory of the Republic, manifesting their
satisfaction to all the authorities along the way for the
attentions, facilities, and personal security of which they were the
object; and it would be very laudable on your part on your arrival
in the United States to so inform your Government, so that, as a
tribute to truth, the American people may know how foreigners are
treated and considered in Venezuela who, by their loyal and correct
conduct, make themselves worthy of esteem.
My Government has made a note of the fact that, by orders of your
Government, the interests, property, and archives of the legation in
Caracas have been placed in the hands of the Brazilian chargé
d’affaires.
I close by expressing to you, in the name of my Government, the most
cordial wishes for your pleasant journey, and I avail myself of the
opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my distinguished
consideration.
[Page 824]
[Inclosure 3.]
Chargé Sleeper
to the Brazilian Chargé.
American Legation,
Caracas, June 20,
1908.
Sir: For reasons well known to you, the
Government of the United States has decided that the further
presence in Caracas of diplomatic representatives of the United
States subserves no useful purpose and has determined to close its
legation in this capital and to place its interests, property, and
archives in Venezuela in the hands of the representative of Brazil,
which country has kindly consented to take charge thereof.
I have this day notified the minister for foreign affairs of
Venezuela to this effect and have requested my passports.
I now therefore, in accordance with information, have the honor to
place in your hands the interests, property, and archives of this
legation and to inform you that the archives and property will
remain in this building under the charge of the legation clerk and
American consular agent, Mr. John Brewer, to watch over the same
under your direction and protection.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure
4.—Translation.]
The Brazilian Chargé
to Chargé Sleeper.
Legation of the United States of Brazil,
Caracas, June 20, 1908.
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day, in which you advise
me that, under instructions from your Government, you have applied
to the Venezuelan Government for your passports.
In accordance with the wish of your Government, an honor for me,
which you have expressed in the aforesaid note, and duly authorized
by my Government, I shall have the agreeable duty of informing the
Government of Venezuela that I have upon this date taken charge of
the archives and of the legation building as well as the protection
of American interests in Venezuela.
In assuring you, Mr. Chargé d’affaires, of my zeal and of my
solicitude in the exercise of these new functions, I take the
occasion to renew to you, etc.,
[Inclosure 5.]
Chargé Sleeper
to the French Vice Consul, guardian of the
archives of the French Legation.
American Legation,
Caracas, June 20,
1908.
Sir: I have to inform you that the
Government of the United States has decided to close its legation in
Caracas and to place its interests, property, and archives, in
Venezuela, in the hands of the representative of Brazil.
I have to add that I have this day notified the minister for foreign
affairs to this effect, and requested my passports.
No instructions regarding French interests have been received by this
legation.
Very respectfully,
[Inclosure
6.—Translation.]
The French Vice Consul,
guardian of the archives of the French Legation to
Chargé Sleeper.
French Legation,
Caracas, June 21,
1908.
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s date, in which
you inform me that the Government of the
[Page 825]
United States has decided to close its
legation in Caracas and to place the archives as well as American
interests under the protection of the Brazilian Legation in
Venezuela.
With my regrets at seeing your legation withdrawn, which for the last
three years has so devotedly cared for our interests in this
country, I beg that you accept, Mr. Chargé d’Affaires, the
assurances, etc.,
[Inclosure 7.]
Chargé Sleeper
to American Consuls in
Venezuela.
American Legation,
Caracas, June 20,
1908.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
the Government of the United States has decided to close its
legation in Caracas and to place its interests, property, and
archives in Venezuela in the hands of the representative of
Brazil.
Matters of a nature calling for diplomatic intervention should be
referred therefore to the Brazilian minister here, Mr. Luiz de
Lorena Ferreira.
No instructions have been received varying the position or action of
consuls.
Very respectfully,
