Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-02

powerful as yours Is, ought to conduct
itself more ingenuously towards US
If it be your object to make war on us
you should previously declare this in.
tention; assured that Colombians will
outrage no one by empty boasts, al,ho'
they have hitherto given reason to Be.
lieve, that if they are unable to reSs,
other powers that may assail them,
they possess at least sufficient fortitud.
and perseverance to sustain their rights
and honor by every means in their pow.
err.
Should your government have any
cause Of complaint against individuals
Of Colombia, you may be assured tina:
the republic will award them the pun
ishment they merit, for any infractions
committed on the rights ofnations, and
that shall take lively interest in its
infection, both on the account Of my
anxiety for the reputation of my So
vernment, the credit of the nation, aud
above all, for the utmost circumspec-
ton towards friendly powers.
/ hope you will favor me with reply
to this communication, as being abso.
lutely necessary, in order to calm the
public mind, satisfy the government,
and regulate my future proceedings.
/ am with the greatest consideration,
Sir, your most attentive servant,
JOSE ANTONIO PAEZ.
To his excellency Gen. Paez, director of the
warm the department Of Venezuela.
GENERAL: have just received the
letter which your excellency has done
me the honor to address to me, respect.
ing my cruize in front Of Puerto Cabel-
10. The commandant of Marine, Es-
teves can satisfy your excellency with
regard to my motives for adopting this
resolution; and you will perceive that
it is occasioned by refusal on his part
to make restitution to the captain of
the French ship Urania for the mer-
chandize taken from him, and to in
demnify him for the injury he has sus-
tanned in consequence Of illegal cap
ture.
Ifmy presence in front Of Puerto Ca
bello seems hostile to the inhabitants OF
that city and the adjoining country,
your excellency may easily undeceive
them, by observing the free passage
to and fro which permit to your COM
MERGE and vessels Of war.
The French government seeks as
little as that of Colombia to interrupt
the good understanding which has al
ways subsisted between the two nations;
but there are certain rights which car
not be compromised. Two of your
privatecrs have, contrary TO all mari.
time law, detained French vessel; and
l had right to expect that my remon-
STRANGE on this subject would have OBJ
tanned for me more satisfactory reply
than an intimation, that the vessel had
been condemned in conformity with
your priyateer laws. The government
Of Colombia may issue such orders as
it deems expedient against its enemies;
but cannot imagine that she seeks to
make neutral power to conform to
them.
With respect to the schooner Rayo,
which visited some days since, beg
your excellency will believe that have
in this particular in no wise forgotten
the consideration due to friendly pow
err. The manGuvres and flight Of this
vessel from one Of the schooners Of my
were sufficient to excite sus.
picion, more especially when on board
of her were found cannon, thirty mus
kets, and twenty men. If my exami-
nation of this vessel has been strict, it
has been so in behalf Of commerce in
general; inasmuch as she might have
been pirate or privatecr.
Your excellency must admit that l
cannot be guided in my conduct by the
colors which vessel may assume. II
was with American colors that the pri-
vateer entella and the pirate La Poll
Hampson detained the ship Urania; and
it is with Colombian colors that the
brig Romano, commanded by Cotarro,
has taken French vessels.
Nevertheless, senior general, in order
to satisfy your excellcncy that l am far
from seeking to disturb the tranquility
Of the department under your COM
conduct at variance with the
instructions 1 have reeeived-if your
excellency will assure me that the 60
Of Colombia will, within a
given time, settle the affair of the ship
Urania, and that its privateers shall
receive orders to detain no more French
vessels l will instantly depart; other
wise shall be under the necessity of
awaiting instructions from the Govern
or Of Martinique, and the admiral COM
manding the West India station.
Be pleased to accept, General, the
assurances of the high consideration
with which / have the honor to be, your
excelleney's most obedient servant,
DUPOTET.
On board the Jean d .4rc, Feb. 2, 1925.
Head Quarters, CaIabozo, FED. II, 1895.