CO885-(11-13) — Page 691

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

13 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

MY LORD,

No. 57.

(TRINIDAD.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Royal Courts of Justice, September 29, 1885. We were honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Sir Julian Pauncefote's letter of the 14th September instant, stating that, with reference to our Reports of the 25th and 27th ultimo,* respecting the complaints of the Venezuelan Government against this country for non-observance of neutrality, especially as regarded the case of the steamer "Justitia," Sir Julian Pauncefote had, by your Lordship's direction, to transmit to us the papers noted in the accompanying list, which related to the voyage of the "Justitia" with a British crew, under the directions of General Venancio Pulgar, during his revolutionary attempt against Venezuela, and to the subsequent seizure of the vessel by the Government of Santo Domingo.

That it appeared from the depositions of the British captain and crew (see inclosures in Vice-Consul Leyba's Despatch No. 14 of the 22nd August 1885) that the "Justitia left London on the 3rd June last for Antwerp, whence, after taking in a cargo, among which were arms and munitions of war, she proceeded to Grenada, and thence to La Boca, near Trinidad, where she was transferred to General Pulgar according to agreement. That up to that time the vessel had been sailing under the British flag, but upon her transfer to General Pulgar at La Boca the Venezuelan flag was hoisted.

That the British captain and crew are said to have been unable to obtain their discharge from the ship, and were forced to remain on board. That after some desultory hostile operations on the Venezuelan coast, the "Justitia," retired and sought shelter at Santo Domingo, where she was seized by the Government of the island, and was the subject of proceedings then pending before the Supreme Court of that island.

That the depositions of the master and crew would be found in Vice-Consul Leyba's Despatch No. 14 of the 22nd August.

That Sir Julian Pauncefote had to request that we would take the papers into our consideration, and favour your Lordship with our opinion as to whether the circum- stances of the case called for any action by Her Majesty's Government with reference to the part taken by the British master and seamen of the "Justitia" in the proceedings of that vessel.

1

In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to

Report

That, in our opinion, the circumstances of the case as they at present appear from the depositions taken at Santo Domingo, are not such as to call for any action by Her Majesty's Government with reference to the part taken by the master or crew of the "Justitia" in the proceedings of that vessel.

The Marquess of Salisbury.

We have, &c., (Signed)

RICHARD E. WEBSTER. J. E. GORST.

J. PARKER DEANE.

A 15927-34. 35. 12,85.

* Nos. 53 and 51.