No. 10.] [Inclosure 4 in No. 321.] Mr. Hanna to Mr. Scruggs. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, . La Guayra, August 20, 1892. SIR: Complying with your instruction No. 21, dated August 19, instant, I have the honor to report that on the return of the steamship Caracas to this port, I saw the master and other officers of the ship and obtained the following facts concerning the case to which your instruction refers. Capt. Woodrick, the master of the above named ship, said that while they were at Puerto Cabello receiving their cargo for New York, the chief of the civil, under orders from Gen. Urdaneta, came onto the ship and told Capt. Woodrick that there were certain passengers on board the ship which he wanted, and whom he had orders to arrest. The captain informed him that such persons had paid their fare and had taken passage on an American ship, under the protection of the American flag, and were bound for Curacao; that he could not give them up. The chief of the civil then said he would take them by force, and thereupon entered the part of the ship where the passengers were and began to take them. Some of them hid away in their rooms or in other parts of the ship, but the chief found them and took them from the ship by force, in spite of the protest of the master of the ship; six passengers, bound from La Guayra to Curacao, were taken. The master and other officers of the ship certified to the above facts, I am informed that all of the six passengers had regular tickets, and had "permits to leave La Guayra for Curacao. Capt. Woodrick informed me that he had sent you a statement of the case by mail, and Mr. H. L. Boulton said that he would see you on the subject. I have, etc., PHILIP C. HANNA, Consul. Mr. Adee to Mr. Scruggs. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 29, 1892. Mr. Adee requests a full report on the attack alleged to have been made on the consul of the United States at Ciudad Bolivar, and his being wounded, and informs him that, with a view to protecting American interests generally, a war vessel has been ordered to proceed to La Guayra without delay. No. 278.] Mr. Adee to Mr. Scruggs. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Upon the receipt of your telegram of the 22d instant, asking that a vessel of the U.S. Navy be dispatched forthwith to La Guayra, I communicated copy thereof to the Secretary of the Navy. Pending arrangments to dispatch a vessel, the arrival of the mail steamer Caracas on the 26th brought dispatches from your legation and our consuls throwing light upon the urgency of your request. In regard to the reported taking of six passengers from the steamer Caracas, at Puerto Cabello, by order of Gen. Urdaneta, the Department awaits full particulars of the occurrence before giving you positive instructions. I am, sir, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, No. 279.] Mr. Adee to Mr. Scruggs. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 30, 1892. SIR: Referring to my instruction No. 278, of this day's date, and in particular to that portion in regard to the reported taking of passengers from the Caracas, I inclose herewith for your information copy of a letter from Messrs. Boulton, Bliss & Dallett, of New York, giving some particulars of the occurrence and communicating the formal protest of Capt. Woodrick, of the Caracas. You will observe the statement that the passengers in question "had left La Guayra with the full knowledge and consent of the recognized Government of Venezuela." I am, sir, etc., [Inclosure in No. 279.] ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. Messrs. Boulton, Bliss & Dallett to Mr. Foster. RED "D" LINE OF STEAMSHIPS, (Boulton, Bliss & Dallett, general managers), 135 Front street, New York, August 26, 1892. (Received August 27.) SIR: We beg to report the following occurrence: Our steamship Caracas, which sailed from La Guayra on Tuesday, the 16th, with a number of passengers bound for Puerto Cabello and Curaçao, arrived at Puerto Cabello the following morning. On the afternoon of that day an official came cn board from Gen. Urdaneta, who was in control of the port, to demand the surrender of six of the passengers who were destined to Curaçao. As they had left La Guayra with the full knowledge and consent of the recognized Government of Venezuela, and were not charged with any crime, Capt. Woodrick declined to surrender them. The official then stated that, if necessary, force would be used, and sent on board of the ship a number of officers provided with revolvers who, in spite of the protest of Capt. Woodrick, took the passengers on shore, where they were detained. On arrival at Curaçao the next morning, Capt. Woodrick cabled the facts of the case to the United States minister at Caracas. Inclosed you will please find a copy of the protest noted by Capt. Woodrick. As the Caracas is an American vessel, we presume it is our duty to report the occurrence to you for such action, if any, you may deem proper. We have the honor, etc., BOULTON, BLISS & DALLETT. Know all men by these presents, that I, Capt. Wm. Woodrick, of steamship Caracas, of Wilmington, Del., United States of America, having sailed from La Guayra on the 16th of August bound for Puerto Cabello and Curaçao with the following passengers: Jacinto Lopez, Dr. P. Febres Cordevo, Francisco M. Casas, Antonio Salinas, M. Lopez, and Manuel Rama, and on the arrival of said steamship Caracas in the port of Puerto Cabello about 4 o'clock p. m., the authorities of Puerto Cabello boarded the said steamship Caracas and arrested the above-mentioned passengers and prevented them from proceeding further on their voyage; they having paid their passage and complied with all the requirements of the laws of Venezuela and regulations of said steamship Caracas. Therefore I, William Woodrick, captain of this steamship Caracas, on board of same, do hereby most solemnly enter iny protest against the arrest and removal of said passengers from this ship. Given under my hand this the 17th day of August, 1892. WM. WOODRICK. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, I, William G. Riley, consul of the United States at Puerto Cabello, do hereby certify that the signature of William Woodrick at the foot of the paper hereunto annexed is his true and genuine signature, made and acknowledged in my presence, and that the said William Woodrick is personally known to me. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the consulate at Puerto Cabello, this day and year next above written, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and seventeenth. [SEAL.] WILLIAM G. RILEY, United States Consul. No. 325.] Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Foster. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, September 7, 1892. (Received September 19.) 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.] WM. L. SCRUGGS. 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 importaut 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 our 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., II. L. BOULTON & CO. [Inclosure 2 in No, 325.] Mr. Scruggs to Messrs. Boulton & Co. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, GENTLEMEN: 7: 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., WM. L. SCRUGGS. No. 326.] Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Foster. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Caracas, September 7, 1892. (Received September 19.) SIR: On the 31st ultimo I received from the Venezuelan ministry of foreign affairs a verbal note, dated the 26th, transmitting a copy of an executive decree of the last-named date, closing the ports of Ciudad Bolivar and Puerto Cabello. Copies and translations are inclosed herewith. Each of my colleagues of the other legations received a similar note, most of whom, I believe, attach so little importance to it as to refuse to even transmit it to their respective governments; while none of them regard it as being anything more than a mere brutum fulmen of an important faction against its rival, who is now, and has been for weeks past, in actual possession of the ports named. I have, etc., WM. L. SCRUGGS. [Inclosure 1 in No. 326.-Translation.] MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, The minister of foreign affairs of the United States of Venezuela salutes the most excellent minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, with this object of remitting herewith No. 5627, of the "Official Gazette," of this same date, wherein is inserted the executive decree by which are suppressed the custom-houses of the ports of Ciudad Bolivar (State of Bolivar) and of Puerto Cabello (State of Carabobo). Manuel Clemente Urbaneje improves this opportunity, etc. [Inclosure 2 in No. 326.-Translation.] PRESIDENCY OF THE REPULIC. Doctor Guillermo Tell Villegas, Constitutional President of the Republic. In view of the perturbations occurred in the State of Bolivar and Carabobo, and in exercise of the authority vested in me by Article 3 of the legislative decree of May 17, 1873. Decree: Article 1. The custom-houses established in the ports of Ciudad Bolivar (State of Bolivar) and in Puerto Cabello (State of Carabobo) are suppressed; the commerce of importation and export to foreign ports with said custom-houses cease in fact, as also the coasting trade therewith. Article 2. The trade imports and exports of Ciudad Bolivar have to be made throngh the port of Guanta (State of Bermudez) and the trade imports and exports of Puerto Cabello have to be made through the port of La Guayra (State of Miranda). Article 3. Every vessel bound to the ports of the Orinoco River or to Puerto Cabello, will be detained by the Government ships cruising at the mouths of said river and at the entrance of the bay of Puerto Cabello, and will be conducted to the nearest qualified port, to proceed with its cargo in conformity with the dispositions of the Codigo de Hacienda, and other laws that regulate the commerce of foreign origin or coasting trade. Article 4. The authority of the foregoing article will take effect fifteen days after the publication of this necree in the "Official Gazette," for ships hailing from the Antilles; thirty days after for ships hailing from the United States of America, and forty-five days after for those hailing from Europe. Article 5. After the terms, conceded in favor of the importers, shall have become due, said ships will be considered as smugglers, persecuted and captured as such and conducted to the nearest qualified port, there to be tried in accordance with the ruling fiscal laws. Article 6. The national or foreign vessels, armed for war by the insurgents, in the Orinoco or in its contiguity, or in the bay of Puerto Cabello or its contiguity, will be considered pirates, and as such will be persecuted and captured till brought to the power of the nearest competent tribunal. Article 7. The ministers of foreign affairs and of Hacienda are charged with the execution of this decree and with transmitting it to the diplomatic and consular bodies of this city, to the consuls of the republic abroad, and other authorities to whom it may concern. Given under my hand, sealed with the seal of the national executive and countersigned by the ministers of foreign affairs and hacienda, in the federal palace of Caracas, the 26th day of August, 1892, twenty-ninth year of the law and thirtyfourth of the federation. Countersigned: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Countersigned: LORENZO ADRIAN ARREAZA. GUILLERMO TELL VILLEGAS. 1 No. 283.] Mr. Foster to Mr. Scruggs. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 8, 1892. SIR: Since the Department's instruction, No. 278 of the 30th ultimo, was sent to you in care of the commander of the U. S. S. Concord, the anarchic condition of Venezuela and the prevalence of acts of lawlessness affecting the persons and interests of foreigners have rendered it expedient to dispatch another ship of war to that quarter, and the Kearsarge, which was on service in the waters of Haiti and Jamaica, has been ordered by telegraph to proceed with all possible dispatch to La Guayra, to cooperate with the Concord for the necessary protection of the persons and interests of citizens of the United States in that quarter. In addition to this, the Philadelphia, now at New York, has been relieved from the detail to which she had been assigned, and is under orders to sail for La Guayra, to serve as flagship of the squadron on the Venezuelan coast, should events so require. The latest information that reaches the Department through unofficial channels, indicates the eventual success of the revolutionary party led by Gen. Crespo, and it is trusted that order in some shape may speedily be restored, and a responsible government be in de facto and efficient control of the power and authority of the State. Through the same unofficial channels the Department learns that, as late as the 30th ultimo, when the Venezuela's mail left La Guayra, |