No. 54.
Mr. Scruggs
to Mr. Fish.
Bogota, July 26, 1876. (Received August 26.)
Sir: In April last one Bermudez, a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, in the State of Cauca, boldly proclaimed against the public-school system of this republic.
Very soon others of the Catholic clergy joined in the crusade, and, in May following, further attendance upon or encouragement of the public schools was made punishable by excommunication.
The result was a concession by the civil authorities, whereby one hour each day was set aside for religious instruction in the schools, under the direction of such priests or churchmen as might be agreeable to the teachers and parents of the children.
This concession, made in the face of threats of armed revolt by the church or “conservative” party, only encouraged further demands. Bermudez and his faction insisted that the entire management of the public schools in the locality of Papyon be intrusted to the clergy.
A commissioner was at once dispatched to the disaffected region, to treat with the heads of the church, and see if some amicable and satisfactory understanding could not be had.
The commissioner was received with anything but cordiality, and given plainly to understand that no compromises were possible. He finally returned to Bogotá to report an unsuccessful mission.
He had hardly reached here when news was received that an armed conflict had actually commenced in the southern and interior of the state.
At the hour of 3 a.m., on the 11th instant, the town of Palmyra was attacked by a force of three hundred men, under the cry of “Viva la Religion, viva el padre Holguin y el partidor conservador.” After two hours’ engagement, resulting in many killed and wounded, the assailants were defeated, making their escape.
Meantime a force said to be over one thousand strong, well armed, and under command of a Catholic priest named Guerrero, was reported to be marching upon Cartago, an important strategic point in the Cauca Valley. General Payan, with a small force of national troops, was ordered from Honda to the relief of the threatened locality. Very [Page 94] little seems to be known here of the result; but enough has transpired to induce the belief that Cartago is already in possession of the insurgents, who probably hold General Payan as a prisoner. The State of Cauca has already been declared in a condition of revolt by Governor Conto.
Such is the origin of what promises to become a formidable revolution, should the adjoining State of Antioquia, which is disaffected toward the national government, join the insurgents. I shall, of course, keep the Department duly informed of its progress.
I have, &c.,