Legation of the United States,
Caracas, July 14,
1901.
No. 643.]I think the incident is now closed.
[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 portsa not open to foreign commerce, and
[Page 549]
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.
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.,
