Author: Foster, John M.
Title: Manuscript Document from the Us Consulate in Venezuela, Predating the Formal Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Two Countries
Description: Port of La Mayra (Caracas [?]), By the author, 1833. Manuscript document; 10 1/2 x 8 1/2; single sheet, pp. [2]; text in red and brown ink, in three distinctive hands; embossed seal of the Consulate of the United States affixed to left margin of recto; paper somewhat fragile, with old crease lines and closed splits to edges of creases; two small pieces of tape to verso (not affecting readability); in good or better condition. The first diplomatic presence of the United States in Venezuela was a consulate, which opened in Maracaibo in 1824. At the time, Venezuela was still part of the Columbian Federation. It would not be recognized as an independent nation until February 28, 1835. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in June of 1835, when John G. Williamson, Charge d'Affaires, presented his credentials to the Government of Venezuela. The first commercial treaty between the US and Venezuela was signed in 1836. The verso of the current document constituted an invoice for 34 bags of coffee, shipped by one John Dallett and consigned to M. A. Barclay, on board of the Brig Montgomery, bound for Philadelphia. Included was a table of various duties and commissions paid in Caracas and La Guarpa. On the recto, alongside a beautiful, ornate seal of the Consulate of the US in Venezuela, Acting Consul John M. Foster boldly signed and certified that the invoice was "paid in the currency of this place" (in centavos) and that the said currency was "equal in value to eighty cents currency of the United States of America." In a third hand, at the bottom of the document, Nickerson (Master [?]) of the Brig Montgomery had also signed the paper. Good .

Keywords: California-Vbf, Foreign Relations, Americana, Maritime


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