Erastus D. Culver to Señor Rafael Seijas, November 13, 1865

Mr. Culver to Mr. Seijas

SIR: The undersigned, minister resident of the United States, is pained to inform the government of Venezuela that he has this day received a despatch from the United States consulate at Ciudad Bolivar, under date of 2d instant, advising him as follows:

“It is my painful duty to inform you of one of the most atrocious acts that was ever committed in this country—nothing less than the most cruel assassination of the whole crew and officers of the American steamer Apure.

“The following is a list of the victims: Captain J. W. Hammer, general agent of Orinoco Steam Navigation Company, from Iowa; Captain J. Brissot, of Louisiana; and Philip Canfield, of New York, first engineer.:

“The crime was perpetrated at the town of Apurito, on the 19th of October, and has called forth the general indignation of all the inhabitants of this city, and is considered by the whole community as the most outrageous and unprovoked crime ever perpetrated, and should call the serious attention of the representatives of the different governments resident in Venezuela.”

The undersigned is further advised that all the victims of this murder were citizens of the United States, and each leaves a wife and children in Venezuela, in indigent circumstances.

As these murdered citizens were pursuing a legitimate commerce under the flag of their country in the waters of Venezuela, by and with the consent of its authorities, the undersigned cannot too strongly assure the minister of foreign affairs, that the government of the United States will expect that of Venezuela, first, to institute a prompt and effective investigation of the affair; and, second, bring to a sure, speedy, and condign punishment the guilty parties.

In the mean time the undersigned has directed his consul at Ciudad de Bolivar to take and forward to him the depositions of any and all witnesses whose evidence can throw any light on the atrocious crime.

The undersigned would respectfully ask to be advised by the government of Venezuela of any new or additional facts in the case, which may have come to its knowledge, and which it may deem proper to communicate.

The character and atrocity of the crime seem to the undersigned to be of a nature that it should not be allowed to rest for a day without a searching investigation.

The undersigned has a copy of an official note from the president of the State of Apure, to that of the State of Guayana, corroborating the statement of his consul, and which copy he will cheerfully furnish if desired by the government of Venezuela.

The undersigned has the honor to renew to Mr. Seijas the assurance of his distinguished consideration.