, 1869-04-24

claimants, and received certificates for moro
than half the sum awarded. The other GER
tificatcs wero Issued to other attorneys.
In February, 1860, A1r. Castro, the rep
resentative Of Venezuela at Washington,
filed protest against tho award 1nndo by
the mixed commission, alleging miscon-
duct and Irregularities, which, he claimed,
should set aside the whole award. Mr.. Sew
ard responded, reminding the Charge Of the
forbearanco on the part Of the United
States towards Venezuela because Of her
Distracted condition. Some days later Mr..
Castro sent written communication to Mr..
Seward, complaining strongly Of the Amori-
can commission, and also Of tho umpire.
His first and principal accusation was as
follows:
greatness OF the claim awarded. 1t was Of Cu1ou1-
bi2n origin, and Of course ought to he shared
o,lce Constituting the Republic of Colombia; yet
the American Commissioner condemned Fenezu-
ella to pay The whole amount he was pleased to
award THE Interest OF this claim was greater
than the principal; the question MAS mere uqul-
lution Of the cIatIn. Instead Of examining it, the
American Commissioner finds decision Of the
Supreme Court, allowing 11lef certain Sims, and
A,io}ts the dccIslon as hts own although the sane
Court had sct asiAe the decision. But the decision
su'e1 The II 4Sen he the eors @
ptrc comes to his assistance, md despite
his oath to examine scrupnlou*y
an sse peess9 & IN II :
proceedings and does not tAke the ttoublc to look
Into ihe accounts which It Was his duty to exam-
! injury Of either country and In disregard to the
decision Of the plenary commission OF tho three
republics into which Colombia split and against
! the decision Of the Stnte Council which her1ared
ller to he the debtor and not the creditor Of the
State, ~ he wTongfully collected sums that haul
are ra ths vsss " msrf \, q,
| million dollars to the heirs of the pretended
creditor lAler. Two friendly repuhtcs certainty
| ner In deciding such momcntons questions
Mr.. Seward, On the last day Of his oitieia
term, 31nrch 3, replied to this communica-
tion. The umpire chosen WAS selected by
the Russian Ambassador, against whost
: motives and conduct S1r, Seward refuses t.
entertain complaint. He denies tho i'm
propric.y of Mr.. TAlnaage receiving the Ger
) tifieatcs Of awards for claimants nfter hi
dutics ms Commissioner had expired, miles
! he WIS Interested in them peclniarily during
lis term Of Office, Of which there is nj
proof After full review uf the who'll
facts, Mr.. Seward maintained tho fnality o
the award lie against both governments AMI
the claimants, and minated that the Coy
ernmcnt Of the United States could u
longer defer the demands OF tho citizen
for payment. On the lath Of March, tn
Venezuelan Minister appealed to Mr.. Wash
: ards decision.
: An effort was then made during the fe,
| weeks that Congress WAS In session to hav
l The United States assume the payment Q
= the awards, and force Venezuela to pay
\ This matter failed for want Of action, and
. has since been considered by the Forcig
, Relations Committee in the Seuate. Tha
! committee decided against any hasty action
. though they did not decide that assumption
! might not be necessary hereafter. Thoug
, the time for the payment Of the first instal
t ment Inns passed, tho committee though
: that with time for reflection, and to recove
: from the recent revolution, Venezuel
!, might yet mike payment withot
. being forced thereto, and 5
: tho whole subject will 60 oy,
i until next winter, when it is probable tn
forciblc demand for payment will
Q made. How Venezuela is to raise ii
c money is not regarded as part Of the que
Il ton, and it is doubtful whether any 90
l. eminent viii be found in that country viii
g can successfully raiso nlillicn and qu:
g ter Of dollars cut Of the ravaged fields fl
J. miserable squalor Of that revolutlon-riaa
y State, particularly to ray n foreign del
IN II ever there was a case appealing for T,
II, l,cntance this is one, and tho country n
ID rejoice that these claimants have leels !
'st off in their cndeavors to force this 6,
by ernment into q collection, by force Of arr
er Of these old debts.