Evening journal., 1892-09-13
correspondence. throwing light upon the
subject, is found:
Mr.. Bayard 10 Mr.. Phelps.
(CONFlDENTfAL)
DEPARTMENT or STATE.
w NVAaurNaTON Feh ~ 1879 Z

(CONFlDENTfAL.)
DEPATMEsT or STATE
WAsnINGToN, Feb, IL, 1888
SIR. transmit herewith translation Of
a note received by me on the 18th in.
stant wherein the Venezuelan minister
sets forth the information lately sup
piled to him. TO the effect that the legis.
lature of Demarara has recently asserted
claim to British jurisdiction over
the gold mining district of Caratal.
on the headwaters of the Yuruan river,
and that by decree of the governor of
British Guiana dated December 81 1887,
formal denial Is made Of the validity of
grant by the Venezuelan government
for the construction of a railway from
Cuidad, Bolivia, TO Gnacipati, city In
the Caratal district. on the ground that
10 passes in and over certain territories
and lands within and forming part Of the
colony of British Guiana
No other foundation for the ministers
statement appears than the articles in
the Financier OF January a. 20 which
Mr.. Oliverria's informant refers.
The governm ent Of the United States
| has hitherto taken an earnest and
| friendly interest In the question of
boundaries SO long In dispute between
! Great Britain and Venezuela and so
! far as it's dsinterested counsels were ad-
missible has advocated an amicahle final
and honorable settlement of the dis
pute. We have followed this course on
/ the assumption that the issue was one
of historical fact eminently adaptable
for admitting arbitration, aud that the
territorial claims of each party had a
fixed limit. the right TO which
would without difficulty be determined
according to the evidence The claim
now stated 10 have been put forth by the
attorneys of British Guiana necessarily
gives use TO great disquietitude
and creates an apprehension that
the territorial claim does not
follow historical evidence, but Is
apparently. indefinite AZ no time
hitherto does 10 appear that the dis
trict Of which Guacipati has been
claimed as British territory, or that such
jurisdiction has ever been asserted over
It's inhabitants, and II the reported de-
cree ef British Guiana be indeed genuine
apparent in this line of railroad from
Ciudad TO Guacita could enter or traverse
territory within the control of
Great Britain. It is true that
the line claimed by Great Britain is
the western boundary of British Guiana
is uncertain and vague II is only neces.
sary to examine the British colonial
Office list. for few years back TO per
ceive this. In the issue of 1897, for in
stance. the line runs nearly
southwark from the mouth of Tn,
3 Amacuro To the junction Of the
Cotinga and Taluta River In the issu,
of 1887 ten years later, it makes a wide
3 detour TO the westward following thl
! Yurnari
4 Guacipati lies considerably TO tn,
T westward of the line officially claimed in
p 1887 and it may perhaps be INSTRUCTIVE
y 20 compare with il the way which doubt
less win be found In the colonial ofIic
4 list for the present year
. may be well for you 20 express anew Z
q Lord Salisbury the great qualification
y would afford this government 20 see th
g. Venezuelan dispute amicahly and honor
e ably settled, by arbitration or otherwis,
g and our readiness TO do anything W
l. properly can 20 assist in that END
h ln the course OF your CONVEX
:, sation you may refer 10 th
!, London Fnancer of January 3l IA cop
{ of which you can procure and exhibI
70 10 Lord Salisbury and express appr'
p Ncuolun lcunN iht widening pitNtullon
d of British Guiana TO possess terrior
"a over which Venezuela jurisdiction
IS has never heretofore been dispute
n may not diminish the chances ia
e a practical settlement. If indeed
{ should appear that there is no fixed limi
O TO the British boundery claim, our disp,
= sition 10 aid in a settlement might No
! only be defeated but obliged 90 give plac
p TO a feeling Of grave concern. ! appen
+ for your information q copy of the ma
{ recently printed with the boundary col
E respondonce by Venezuela on whic
b are roughly pencilcd the situl
f. tion Of Guacipat and the lin
e of demarkation according to III
y colonial Office list of 1881 The line fC
. 1877 nearly follows that shown on tl
j map is "Sir Robert Sehomburghs line
u am etc,
l- T. +. BAYARD
Mr.. Blaine TO DIr. Lincoln.
crelograml
DEPARTMENT or STATE. I
Washington, May !, 1890.
Mr.. Lincoln Is instructed 60 use his gOi
D. nfhccE, with Lord salisbury, 10 bring nb0
the resumption of diplomatic Intercourse %
tween Great Britain and Venezuela as a. pr