Phenix Gazette

From the Franklin Gazette.

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

Head Quarters, Maracaybo, Feb. 3, 1825.

To Captain Dupotet, commanding a division of vessels of war of his most Christian Majesty.

SIR: Although I cannot myself imagine that the operations and manoeuvres of the vessel under your command are of an hostile nature, yet the public considers them in this light, and I have received various remonstrances and communications on the subject from the towns and authorities on this coast which do not permit me to hold them with indifference, but compel me to require from you a clear explanation of the views which detain you on our coast, and in front of Puerto Cabello, blockading the said port, as is sufficiently demonstrated by the time that has already been devoted to this object, and by your having chased several Colombian vessels; searching some of them, particularly the schr "Rayo," examining her papers and crew, and putting an officer on board for a considerable time. Suffer me to observe to you with the frankness of a soldier, that this proceeding is at variance with the open character of your nation, and above all, that of a government, which, 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 intention; assured that Colombians will outrage no one by empty boasts, altho' they have hitherto given reason to believe, that if they are unable to resist other powers that may assail them, they possess at least sufficient fortitude and perseverance to sustain their rights and honor by every means in their power.

Should your government have any cause of complaint against individuals of Colombia, you may be assured that the republic will award them the punishment they merit, for any infractions committed on the rights of nations, and that I shall take a lively interest in its infliction, both on the account of my anxiety for the reputation of my government, the credit of the nation, and above all, for the utmost circumspection towards friendly powers.

I hope you will favor me with a reply to this communication, as being absolutely necessary, in order to calm the public mind, satisfy the government, and regulate my future proceedings.

I am with the greatest consideration, Sir, your most attentive servant,

JOSE ANTONIO PAEZ.

To his excellency Gen. Paez, director of the war in the department of Venezuela.

General: I have just received the letter which your excellency has done me the honor to address to me, respecting my cruize in front of Puerto Cabello. The commandant of Marine, Esteves can satisfy your excellency with regard to my motives for adopting this resolution; and you will perceive that it is occasioned by a refusal on his part to make restitution to the captain of the French ship Urania for the merchandise taken from him, and to indemnify him for the injury he has sustained in consequence of illegal capture.

If my presence in front of Puerto Cabello 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 I permit to your commerce and vessels of war.

The French government seeks as little as that of Colombia to interrupt the good understanding which has always subsisted between the two nations; but there are certain rights which cannot be compromised. Two of your privateers have, contrary to all maritime law, detained a French vessel; and I had a right to expect that my remonstrance on this subject would have obtained for me a more satisfactory reply than an intimation, that the vessel had been condemned in conformity, with your privateer laws. The government of Colombia may issue such orders as it deems expedient against its enemies; but I cannot imagine that she seeks to make a neutral power to conform to them.

With respect to the schooner Rayo, which I visited some days since, I beg your excellency will believe that I have in this particular in no wise forgotten the consideration due to a friendly power. The manoeuvres and flight of this vessel from one of the schooners of my division were sufficient to excite suspicion, more especially when on board of her were found cannon, thirty muskets, and twenty men. If my examination of this vessel has been strict, it has been so in behalf of commerce in general; inasmuch as she might have been a pirate or privateer.

Your excellency must admit that I cannot be guided in my conduct by the colors which a vessel may assume. It was with American colors that the privateer Centella and the pirate La Polla Hampson detained the ship Urania: and it is with Colombian colors that the brig Romano, commanded by Cotarro, has taken French vessels.

Nevertheless, senor general, in order to satisfy your excellency that I am far from seeking to disturb the tranquility of the department under your command—a conduct at variance with the instructions I have received—if your excellency will assure me that the government 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 I will instantly depart; otherwise I shall be under the necessity of awaiting instructions from the Governor of Martinique, and the admiral commanding the West India station.

Be pleased to accept, General, the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, your excellency's most obedient servant,

DUPOTET.

On board the Jean d' Arc, Feb. 7, 1825.

Head Quarters, Calabozo, Feb. 12, 1825.

To Captain Dupotet, commander of a naval division on the West India station.

SIR: I have just received the favor of your letter, which has been transmitted me hither, where I am detained by affairs connected with the arrangement of this department.

I am satisfied on my part, of the good intentions of the French government, as conveyed to me through you.

With respect to the assurances you require from me, that the government of the republic shall decide within a given time on the subject of the ship Urania, and shall give orders to its privateers not to detain French vessels, you must be aware that no public functionary can pledge himself to the line of conduct his government may think fit to adopt: but what I can affirm is,
that your requisition seems to me reasonable, and is in unison with the principles which my government has already avowed, as well as with those of every Colombian jealous of the national honor, and especially with my own. Under this impression I have already addressed my government in behalf of your claim; and I assure you that I will again do so, in consequence of your last communication: and should you wish to do the same, you will please to transmit your despatches through the commandant of Puerto Cabello or Ocumare, to the general in chief, Santiago Marino, to whom I have imparted my intentions on this subject, as being the chief whom I have left provisionally in charge of the department until my return, which will be soon. I trust that this communication will enable you to arrange your ulterior operations. I am, with the greatest consideration, your faithful servant, JOSE ANTONIO PAEZ.