No. 331.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Caracas, June 8, 1882. (Received June 24.)
Sir: Referring to my No. 464, to Mr. Carter’s No. 105, and to your dispatch numbered 151, all relative to the custody of ship’s papers at the ports of this country, and the desireableness of a change of the existing practice in these ports, I have to say that on the 3d instant, I brought the matter in a very earnest but friendly manner again to the attention of Mr. Seijas, suggesting the sufficiency of the provisions of the statute of the United States on the subject, and presenting reasons why a change should be made by which ship’s papers should be deposited with the consular officers of their respective countries. Mr. Seijas appeared to be quite friendly to the idea of a change, indicated that he would bring the subject to the attention of the proper minister, and make a strong recommendation in relation thereto to the President; and, on my suggesting [Page 535] that I supposed the extraordinary powers of the President were sufficient to enable him to make a provisional decree in relation to the matter, subject to the future approval of Congress, he indicated that he thought I was not mistaken in that view. On the 7th instant (in the course of conversation on another matter), Mr. Seijas voluntarily recurred to the subject, and indicated that he had brought the matter to the attention of the proper minister, who would make a study of it, &c.
On the whole, I am disposed to think that a change in relation to the practice in question will be made, and that before a great while.
I am, &c.,