E. D. Culver to Señor Rafael Seijas, January 20, 1866

Mr. Culver to Mr. Seijas

Sir: It is near two months since the undersigned was assured by your excellency, in your note of the 25th of November last, that the government of Venezuela had ordered an investigation as to the cause of the death of Captain J. W. Hammer, and other citizens of the United States, at Apurito, on the Upper Orinoco.

The undersigned has been informed that such an investigation has been had at Ciudad de Bolivar, and the depositions touching the same taken before the judge of the first instance, and forwarded to Caracas; and the undersigned has waited with some surprise at the delay to be advised, as your excellency had assured him he should be, of the result of that investigation, and of the opinion and purposes of the government touching the same.

The undersigned has been pained to notice not only the entire silence of the press in this capital supposed to represent the views of the government, as to the facts and character of that outrage, but also the silence of the government itself.

The undersigned has seen, as he has no doubt the government has, the testimony taken on that investigation. No doubt can remain as to the character and atrocity of the outrage. These unoffendig citizens were plying their legitimate vocation in the waters of Venezuela under the invitation and promised protection of its authorities. They had violated no law, were parties to no plot or treason, and no crime or offence was imputed to them, when they were fired upon by an armed body of rebel forces, commanded by insurgent chiefs, and their lives wantonly sacrificed.

And as some weeks have transpired since the facts established on the investigation have been before the public and the government, the undersigned deems it his duty to inquire of the government whether it has ordered the arrest and trial of those chiefs; what action it has taken or purposes to take in the premises. The undersigned can hardly believe it possible that the authorities of Venezuela should allow this outrage to go unredressed; these murderers to go unwhipped of justice. What adds to the pain and solicitude of the undersigned is the report that comes to him that the insurrectionary party committing these murders has been recognized by the general government as the legitimate government party in the State of Apure.

The undersigned will wait with anxiety to be advised, in reply to this note, of the action and purpose of the government of Venezuela, to the end that he may communicate with his government; and in the mean time he renews to Mr. Srijas the assurance of his distinguished consideration.