No. 197.
Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Bogota, June 7, 1875.
(Received July 12.)
No. 105.]
Sir: Referring to my Nos. 86 and 101, respectively,
of the 17th of February and May last, relative to apprehended movements of a
revolutionary character in the coast States of Colombia, I regret to say
that hostilities have already commenced, resulting, as we are informed here,
in the overthrow of the state government of Magdalena and the seizure by the
insurgents of the custom-house at Carthagena.
This demonstration is understood to be in concert with the plans of Generals
Vila and Wilches, and as a prelude to a general revolt looking to a
disruption of the Colombian Union, should the five interior States of the
republic fail to respect the will of the four coast provinces in the choice
of President.
By a decree of the 25th May last, the president increased the national guard
from one to three thousand men. This was done for the purpose of restoring
order in the disaffected section and deterring outbreaks here. But the state
of public excitement is high, the President is the object of the most vulgar
and violent abuse, the army cannot be trusted, and in the midst of such
intense popular excitement an insurrection is liable to break out here at
almost any moment.
Under these circumstances, without wishing to interfere with or influence the
internal policy of the government, but in the hope of better securing
American interests, especially on the coast, I deemed it my
[Page 433]
duty to address the Colombian minister for
foreign affairs the note of inquiry, a copy of which, together with a copy
and translation of Señor Sánchez’s reply, is herewith submitted. My
colleague of the British legation addressed a similar representation to the
government under the same date. Mr. Bunch’s note, however, referred more
particularly to the interests of the English bondholders, and to the
Savanilla customhouse, the receipts of which are hypothecated for the
payment of the annual interest on the bonds of the general government.
Since the date of these notes I have additional information from Panama,
confirming the apprehensions of disorders there. General Carmago, who had
been sent thither by the government here to take command of the national
troops stationed on the Isthmus, has been arrested and placed in close
confinement by order of the governor of Panama; and the report is that
nearly all the troops have abandoned the service of the general government
and become partisans of the revolutionists. Meantime, General Vila had
returned, with additional troops and munitions, to Magdalena, thus remaining
master of the situation on the coast. At present the general government
seems powerless to assert its supremacy in that section.
Such being the condition of affairs, I think it advisable for the Department
to order one or more war-vessels to within convenient distance of Panama.
Their presence along the Colombian coasts, in the midst of so much disorder
and demoralization, would have a salutary effect, and may, at any moment,
become necessary to the protection of American interests in that
locality.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 105.]
Mr. Scruggs to Mr.
Sanchez.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, May 27,
1875.
The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America,
deplores the necessity of calling the attention of his excellency the
honorable Señor Sanchez, secretary of the interior and foreign relations
of the United States of Colombia, to the current reports of a
revolutionary movement now in progress in the coast States of the
republic.
Although the movements referred to are as yet confined to the provinces
of Magdalena and Bolivar, they are very generally believed to be a
prelude to more extensive insurrections.
The undersigned indulges the hope that these apprehensions, so generally
entertained in this capital, may be the result of exaggerated reports
from the remote scenes of strife; and, in any event, that the
enlightened patriotism and statesmanship of Colombia may prevail for the
conservation of that public order and tranquillity which has happily
subsisted in the republic during the past decade, and which is so
essential to the continued material prosperity and progress of the
Colombian people and nation.
But as grave apprehensions exist that these disturbances on the coast
will ultimately threaten the integrity of the union, his excellency
Senor Sanchez is aware that friendly powers representing valuable
interests within Colombian territory, or creditors of the republic,
cannot be expected to view with indifference a movement fraught with
consequences so serious.
The Government of the undersigned deems it important, in the interests of
general commerce) and especially of the carrying-trade across the
Isthmus of Panama, that all local insurrections should be guarded
against in that section. By existing treaty stipulations with Colombia,
the Government of the undersigned engages to guarantee the neutrality of
that Isthmus; but this has never been acknowledged to embrace the duty
of protecting the Panama-railway transit from the violence of local
factions. Such protection is, however, regarded by the Government of the
United States as the undoubted duty of the national government of
Colombia.
[Page 434]
With a view, therefore, to a mutual understanding on this point, and to
the prevention of possible complications, arising from interruptions by
armed forces of the Isthmian transit, the undersigned respectfully
inquires whether the government of his excellency Senor Sanchez
apprehends any attempted or incidental interruption of that route,
growing out of the present revolutionary movement on the coast; and
whether, in such case, his government is prepared to maintain its
national sovereignty, and afford full protection and security to the
Panama Railway Company, its officers and employés.
Improving this occasion to renew to his excellency the honorable Senor
Sanchez his assurances of high and distinguished consideration, the
undersigned has the honor to remain, &c.,
His Excellency the Hon. J. Sanchez,
Secretary of the Interior and Foreign
Relations
United States of Colombia,
&c., &c.,
&c.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
105.—Translation.]
Mr. Sanchez to Mr.
Scruggs.
United
States of Colombia, Office of Foreign Affairs,
Bogotá, May 29, 1875.
Mr. Minister: In relation to the note of the
27th instant, which the honorable Mr. Scruggs, minister resident of the
United States of America, has been pleased to direct to this department,
the citizen President of the union has instructed the undersigned to
give his excellency the present answer:
There exist, in fact, reasons for apprehending an approaching disturbance
of the public peace, since certain disorders, of which there is notice,
may become more extensive, and since others may take place which have
been announced.
As there are, however, no causes which can justify any revolution, much
less one of a general character, the executive power confides in the
rectitude and virtues of the government and citizens of the States to
remain superior to the passions and difficulties of the hour, and that,
by means of a general patriotic effort, the safety and integrity of the
nationality of the Colombian States may be preserved.
Nevertheless, if, by some lamentable frenzy, a rebellion against the
public order and constituted authorities should break out, the national
government has sufficient means to suppress and punish the rebels,
whomsoever they may be; and it moreover relies upon a uniform and all
powerful public opinion, which now more than ever asserts itself in
favor of the peace and order of the country.
In regard to the interoceanic road of Panama, whose neutrality is
guaranteed by the United States of America, and whose freedom is of the
first importance to general commerce, the Executive judges that it can
provide, with the national resources at its command, not only for the
preservation of Colombian sovereignty in that part of the nation, but
likewise for the preservation of the transit through that section, and
that no detriment will result to any person or to any interest which has
been placed under the guarantee of the federal government by the
constitution and public treaties.
The citizen President acknowledges and is grateful for the noble interest
which the honorable Mr. Scruggs, minister resident of the United States
of America, manifests for the good order and progress of Colombia; and
the undersigned, whilst expressing these sentiments, has the honor to
re-assure him of his respects and consideration.
The Hon. William L. Scruggs,
Minister Resident, &c.
