The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-08
uIUEsrNa gssu CENTRAL AND segTu
AHEnlCA.



Oar veneIuela Correspondenee;
CARACAS, March 20, 1851.
4A~ahr Dersc~d from the British Goron~emt- Tn
REPORTED D.pastsve Of the English C,nrge-7z
Co~dsct Of ANsricaw Agems-IthAt o~ Gorers
nkmt ossgk to do.
We have little news Of interest to the American
public.
Lord Palmerston, it is understood, has sent out
positive instructions to the British Charge dAars
to demand two hundred thousand dollars instanta-
neously Of this government, in part satisfaction Of
the losses by British subjects account Of the late
Law Of Espsra, suspending oil debts for six or nine
years, without interest. Although general in its
operation, the Law was intended ostensiby to ope-
rate against foreigners.
report has been in circulation within day or
two, that Mr.. Wilson, the British Charge, had de-
rnanded his passport, notifying this government that
the Admiral would be here to enforce the pay
ment. do not believe this report, however. 1t is
true Mr.. Wilson had engaged his passage by the
bark Paez. for Philadelphia, on account of bad
health, and said he had done all that he could do
in furtherance of his Instructions that this govern
ment having agreed to pay the loss sustained by
British subjects under the law of Espera amounting
to some four hundred thousand dollars, he would
leave the matter in the hands of the Admiral
the subject Of these claims, and to the mode of
raising the money to pay them They know they
must be paid--England is not to be played with,
she enforces respect and justice for her subjects.
Not SO with American citizens, their rights
trampled under foot by this government and they
have no redress the Office Of Charge d'Afairs Of
the United States is sinecure; they will not
attend to the requirements of their own citizens
they consider themselves in the light of great men,
and not in the capacity of public servants and paid
from the peoples money, stationed sentincls on
he watchtower to guard their countrys honor and
its citizens rights. For instance, should an Amer-
can furnish supplies to the government and take an
order on it, treasury for the payment, and should
that order be refused payment, the creditor has
means to enforce the same only through the minis
tersf his country, and the minister will refuse to
interfere saying he has Instructions to attend to
such cases from his government, aud the claim
mains II dead letter, perhaps for ten, twenty
thirty years--until the expense of trying to re-
cover the claim amounts TO more than the original
demand.
These South American governments are per-
fcctly aware that American Charge d a'fiires
as efficient officers of their governmen;--con-
se9uently little respect is paid to them.
Look at Dr. Foote, he was appointed to New
Grenada, in place of Mr.. Bidlack, deceased; he
obtained his outit-his years salary-he went 10
Bogota-presented his credentials, and absolutely
did nothing-notwithstandi there were many
urgent left unfinished by Mr. Bidack; and,
according to the newspapers, returned home ut the
edit political paper, believe, at Buffalo In like
manner Mr.. Van Allen was sent to Eucador, where
his services eminently required Charge
d affairs, where American interests had been for
years suffering. But without attending to single
case we see his arrival announced at New York, in
August last, and in the same paper his nomination
confirmed by the Senate of the United States.
Let the people speak through the public press,
with voice Of thundcr-et it echo from Maine to
Florida, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores,
asking "why the people are taxed to reward po-
litical parti1ens for absolutely doing nothing"
Men sent us public agents to these republics should
be working men, capable and industrious--their
Offices should not be converted into sinecures
is the case.
In some instances, Charges d aGaires seek for the
appointment in warm climate, to restore their
health, at the peoples expense, and consequently,
are wholly unfit for the duties Of their office.
Others come out as spectators and tratckers--and
would defer making claim on the government, or
enforcing its payment. with view to get some
government contract, or some exclusive privilege.
i repeat, our government cannot be too careful
who they appoint to foreign missions, particularly
to South American States.
In sending competent agents, they should have
discretionary powers to act according to circuIn-
stances and be held responsible for their conduct,
either for negligence excess Of duty, and should
be under heavy bonds. This is I he view taken Of
the case BY your correspondent, SAY ANTONIO.