Navy Department,
24 October, 1863.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 23rd instant, enclosing a translation of a note addressed to you by Mr.
Bruzual, in which he speaks of an intention of buying a steamer in this country
for the government of Venezuela, of which he is the representative, and in
connection with which you ask if I am aware of any objection to the arming of
the steamer in the manner indicated in Mr. Bruzual's dispatch.
I am not sufficiently informed of the condition of affairs
in Venezuela to express an opinion upon the subject of your inquiry. The
subject is one of extreme delicacy, and should, and I doubt not will, be duly
considered by the Department of State, especially in view of occurrences
transpiring abroad affecting our own country.
Herewith, I have the honor to transmit a letter to Commo
Stribling, conformably to the request made in our personal interview last
evening. The request of Mr. Bruzual appears to be, under the circumstances, one
of extraordinary and unusual character, and such as, had the application been
made by that gentleman to this Department, would not have been granted. He is
not, it seems, accredited, by reason of the unsettled condition of affairs in
Venezuela, and yet it is proposed he shall have extended to him the unusual
favor of a public officer in obtaining an armed vessel.
Excuse me for suggesting doubts as to the policy of this
step, but they are such that I have declined the responsibility, and placed the
letter exclusively on your request, so that you can present or withhold it, as
in your judgment, with a full knowledge of the facts and my doubts, may seem
best.
Very respectfully,
Gideon Welles,
Secty. of Navy.
Hon. William H.
Seward,
Secty of State.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 475-6
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