The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-21
AaoTuER OUTRAGE BY Spanish AMERICANS.
NEW YORK. Sept. 90. 1871.

NEW YORK, Sept. 90, 1871.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
DEAR SIR-Herewmh l beg to hand You for
publication account Of an outrage which has been
committed upon the lives and property Of American
citizens resident in Venezuela. The following an
extract from letter received this morning from
Mr.. ]. w. HancOx President of the Venezuela steam
Transportation Company, said company being Or
ganized under the laws OF the State Of New YORK.,
and engaged In navigating the waters Of venezuela
under the protection Of the American nag.
in. HARRISON.
PORT OF SPAIN, Island OF Trinidad
DEAR SoNs-I made a successful trip in our new
steamer san Fernando. She works Wen and re
ceved q iull cargo at Nutrlas; left and when about
sixty miles above Bolivar received dispatches that
the Hero had been captured by the Blue party and
was at Soledad, opposite Bolivar, and the steamer
Nutrias was taken possession OF by tue government at
Bolivar, armed with heavy guns and was fighting the
Hero; and that the Fernando must return UP the
river. l Sent Purser NathcssOn across by land TO
Bolivar for him TO bring up the Nutrias TO protect
us down the river. ana commenced arming the san
Fernando tne best could. The next morning, fear
ing capture determined to 70 to Bolivar and run
down any vessel attempting cur capture so with
Sd tnst.l Met with no opposing forces. Kept close
to Bolivar shore as we approached ana found the
Hero lying az her usual place, WIN The American nag.
We rounded co. and as we came up they ncisied on
the market place the blue nag with an x. We came
cited soldlery We were BOARDED Dy dozen sol
ders, who came on tue upper deck and planted
i
ordered the soldiers 10 drop their nag ana leave my
steamer. They charged Their guns upon me. SAID
lowered our flag and waved It. calling OUT SO that
the crowd ashore heard me- -" drop this glorious cid
nag, but 10000 coo freemen VIII resent this nsut.n
At this the people and military became
alarmed the soldiers and their nag were ordered or
by their general ne saving she Is an American
with three whistles and no distractions were use1
thereafter In the discharging of our freight. Upon
Investigation iOuOd that PRESIDENT Della Costa was
imprisoned ana the government IN the hands OF the
blues, and steamer Nu,rias with certain on
cials, had gone to Trinidad; that there was no
government So on Monday morning, called upon
these chiefs and eXpressed my desire to come to some
and renew her regular business. They appointed
two commissioners to meet me at r. A., ana at our
interview they SAID all the damage TO the company
would be paid that the san Fernando, when
loaded, should take up troops to capture the cities
cargo !; ana that then the RIVER woud be opened.
SAID, gentlemen not win my consent have no
Depend upon the protection of our naa'
To be brief worked necessarily to have the Hero
rst agreeing to lei us CO. then the next day refas
ing. Finally, got hold OF one OF the chiefs belong
to e Me caed m aa the ces ana
upon his return said:-"I want the assurance that
you VIII carry out three poin'sso rs The Hero to
Nutrias to be SEM back; thrd the steamer Dudley
Buck to remain at Trinidad told him would
at two O'Clock T.. NJ. on The 9th he gave me the
written permit from the government to go, and they
removed the soldiers, but required me to send o
written agreement 10 carry out these points which
drew up an alfidavit that mad been prisoner and
held In durance vie, and that everything that had
consented or agreed to ,s do was by aa
capture Of the Hero have been been exeontei
J hurried up the Hero, fearing they would change
their mind, raised anchor, and at haifpast seven
pilot house and had the bell rung to go ahead, when
two boats with about seventy men showed OH for us
Ss the 20 and lad e
bell rung TO, put on oil steam. SIC Immediately
started at full speed just as they were boarding us;
they Immediately opened fire upon us: held my
head below the bulwarks IN the pic: house while
the balls were nylng around; but we were soon out
OF reach of their shot ana arrived here with passen-
gers, out nc cargo at i've this morning.
am now at this writing Undecided what to do.
arrived. i have sacredly promised tue governing
power IN B0lvarto carry out those POINTS. should
e9 Se 10Y Of Ik and s s u s ask @
advice. l forward the Official anldavits OF the cap
ture OF our steamer Hero, and as quickly as pos
steamers NGtrias and san Fernando, with
those papers. our Consul Daioas; statement
Which was intended 10 have been elcgrapned, but
for want OF connection this could not be done. The
English government sent on the 9th a small gunboat
up 10 Bolivar ar the solicitation of our agent; bus our
government must be impressed with the lmpor-
lance Of sending immediately at east two vessels 10
demand release OF American PRISONERS payment
and redress Tor tins national outrage. THESE ie.-
lows, both yellow and blue, must ue taught the
lesson that the Stars and Stripes must be respected.
Read 10 the honorable Secretary OF state my state
men OF the affair. Remember, the Hero was cap
tured while making voyage eGularly--cleareu
from Port OF Spain, Trinidad, TO the port OF Bolivar,
Venezuela. it IL case OF piracy, and as such the
parties must DC punished. The whole preservation
OF our property in the future depends upon prompt
action ry our government.
Tie zero viii leave her regular day under my
her nag. Finally, my dear sons, shall stand az my
post ana lgt this battle OUT and. II Col spares my
lie VIII come or Victorious. j. ". HANCOA.
PRESfDpNT cPArT