No. 658.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, February 16, 1880.
(Received March 9.)
No. 205.]
Sir: Referring to my Nos. 203 and 204, I inclose
herewith—
- 1st.
- A copy of a decree of General Guzman Blanco, as the same appears
in the Gaceta Oficial of the 11th instant, together with a
translation thereof.
- 2d.
- A copy of another decree of General Guzman Blanco, as the same
appears in the Gaceta Oficial of the 11th instant, together with a
translation thereof.
By the first of these decrees he purports to suppress the port of Ciudad
Bolivar, to substitute that of Guzman Blanco or Barcelona; to announce what
has the verbal appearance of an actual blockade of the mouths of the Orinoco
5 to indicate fifteen days’ notice after publication of the decree in the
Gaceta Oficial for vessels proceeding from the Antilles, thirty days for
those proceeding from the United States, and forty-five days for those
proceeding from Europe, &c. By the second he purports to provide for a
marine station and tribunal at Carúpano.
I recommend that these decrees be examined in full. They imply that the
insurrection at Ciudad Bolivar is regarded as of moment by this government.
I find them in the press, and send them to you. Affecting though they do on
their face the commerce of all nations whose vessels trade to Ciudad
Bolivar, I have received from the minister of exterior relations no
communication on the subject, verbal or other.
I am, &c.,
[Page 1033]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
205—Translation.]
Guzman Blanco, Illustrious American, Pacificator,
Regenerator, and Provisional President of the Republic.
In view of the disturbances which have taken place in the State of
Guayana, in consequence of the rising and criminal offense committed in
Ciudad Bolivar on the 29th of last month, and in use of the authority
which article 3 of the legislative decree of the 17th of May, 1873,
concedes to me, I decree:
- Article 1. The custom-house
established at the port of Ciudad Bolivar is suppressed, ceasing
forthwith the commerce which is carried on by the Orinoco, of
importation and exportation with foreign ports, and that of
cabotaje, or coasting trade.
- Art. 2 The importations and
exportations of the commerce of Ciudad Bolivar will be carried
on by the port of Guzman Blanco; and whilst the road leading
from Barcelona to Soledad on the Orinoco is being expedited, the
port of Carúpano is qualified, without restriction, to serve the
same ends.
- Art. 3. Every vessel bound to the
ports of the Orinoco will be detained by the vessels of the
government which are detailed for cruising service on the mouths
of said river, and conducted to the nearest port open to
commerce, in order that its cargo may be proceeded against
conformably to paragraph 2, article 75, law xvi of the code of
finance, and other laws which regulate commerce proceeding from
abroad, and the coasting trade.
- Art. 4. The foregoing article will
take effect fifteen days after the publication of this decree in
the Gaceta Oficial of this city, for vessels proceeding from the
Antilles; thirty days after for those which proceed from the
United States of North America; and forty-five days for those
proceeding from Europe.
- Art. 5. After the expiration of
these periods, which are conceded in favor of importers, said
vessels will be considered as contraband, and as such will be
pursued and captured, and immediately conducted to the nearest
qualified port, in order that they may be there judged according
to the fiscal laws in force.
- Art. 6. National or foreign vessels
which are found armed on the Orinoco, or its neighborhood, by
the insurgents, will be considered as pirates, and as such will
be pursued and seized, to place them at the disposal of the
marine station, established by decree of this date, in the port
of Carúpano, in the State of Cumaná.
- Art. 7. The minister of finance is
charged with the execution of this decree, and with
communicating it to the consuls of the republic abroad, and to
the other authorities whom it concerns.
Given, signed with my hand in the federal palace of the capital at
Caracas, the 10th of February, 1880.
Sealed with the great national seal and countersigned by the minister of
finance.
Countersigned:
The Minister of state in the department of
finance,
J. P. ROJAS PAUL.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
205.—Translation.]
Guzman Blanco, President of the Republic.
In use of the powers which the last Congress of plenipotentiaries has
conferred upon me, I decree:
- Article 1. On account of the
insurrection which has occurred in the plaza of Ciudad Bolivar,
which was the seat of the marine station of Guayana, one is
established at the port of Carúpano, in the State of
Cunianá.
- Art. 2. To this station and its
marine tribunal belong all the waters and coasts from the
Orinoco to Cabo Codera, over which that of Guayana exercised
jurisdiction, including the waters and coasts of Nueva
Esparta.
- Art. 3. The marine tribunal to which
the anterior article refers will be organized conformably to the
laws in force on the subject.
- Art. 4. The ministry of war and
marine is charged with the execution of this decree, and with
communicating it to whom it concerns.
Given, signed with my hand, countersigned by
the minister of war and marine, in the federal palace of the capital
at Caracas, the 10th of February, 1880. Year 16 of the law
and 21 of the federation.
GUZMAN BLANCO.
Countersigned:
The minister of war and marine,
JULIO F.
SARRIA.
