No. 688.
Mr. Russell to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, June 19, 1875.
(Received July 12.)
No. 79.]Sir: I have the honor to report some facts as to
the earthquake of May 18, although the details may be better known in the
United States than here. It is hard to get trustworthy accounts, and I have
asked in vain for official statements. But there is no doubt that San Jose
de Cuenta, in Colombia, and San Cristobal, in Venezuela, were wholly
destroyed, with at least ten smaller towns. Other places were injured but
not destroyed. The loss of life at Cuenta is estimated at 3,000. Probably an
equal number have perished elsewhere. The number of the maimed is fearful.
Much disease has resulted from the decay of the dead bodies. Scenes of
violence and robbery followed the earthquake, but order has been restored by
the shooting of a large number of the criminals. It is needless to say that
the suffering which comes from this disaster is wide-spread and will
continue long. The news was received here on June 7, and prompt measures of
relief were taken. The President at once sent $5,000 for the Venezuelan
sufferers and a like sum for the Colombians; and he headed a subscription,
which has produced a large amount.
One effect of this calamity will be to check for the present all rebellious
movements in the disaffected States of the Cordilleras where it occurred,
and in Zulia, where the pecuniary loss is great. Trusting probably to this,
government has released several political prisoners. A recent revolt at San
Carlos Maracaibo was only a soldiers’ mutiny, and of no political
significance. I inclose a copy of an unofficial letter to the minister of
foreign relations on the earthquake, with his reply, and also a translation
of his reply.
I have, &c.,
[Page 1380]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 79.]
Unofficial letter from Mr. Russell to Mr. Blanco.
United
States Legation, June 14,
1875.
Dear Sir: I wish to express to your excellency,
and through your excellency to your government, the deep regret and
sympathy with which I have learned the terrible calamity that has
befallen so many of the inhabit unts of Tachira, as well as their
neighbors of Colombia. This sympathy will be felt by the people whose
Government I have the honor to represent as it was felt in days past for
the distress of Caracas. They will grieve for the lost and suffering at
Tachira and Santander as for brothers. The bereaved survivors of this
great disaster may be assured that the heart of the world beats for
their affliction. I am glad that prompt and generous measures have been
taken by the President to alleviate the misery that must follow such a
calamity. Your excellency will do me a favor by sending in time for the
next mail any special facts that government may have as to details of
this catastrophe, so that my letters may be full, more authentic, and to
some extent official.
Repeating my assurances of regret, I need not renew my assurances of high
consideration.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
79.—Translation.]
Mr. Blanco to Mr.
Russell.
His Excellency the President of the Republic has been informed of letter
of the 14th, in which your excellency is pleased to express in terms as
cordial as expressive has been caused to your excellency, and which will
be caused to the people whose Government your excellency worthily
represents, by the terrible catastrophe which has sunk in desolation and
ruins the towns of Tachira and Santander; and His Excellency has
directed me to express to your excelleucy that he acknowledges and
esteems highly the noble sentiments with which your excellency shows
your interest in the fate of those unhappy people whom the weight of
this misfortune oppresses.
I shall have the honor to transmit to your excellency the news and
details which the government may obtain as to the sad event of May 18,
and meantime it is pleasant to me to renew to your excellency the
assurance of my high consideration.
