Mr. Seward to Mr. Burton
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 212) dated January 11th, 1866, with enclosures relating to the misconduct of United States troops on crossing the isthmus of Panama, in the months of August and November last.
[Page 526]The information which these papers afford is too imperfect to enable us to form an accurate judgment of the events to which they refer.
Measures have been taken to investigate the complaints, with the purpose of making due amends for any wrong that shall be found to have been committed, and to guard against its recurrence.
You will communicate to the minister for foreign affairs the formal disavowal by this government of any knowledge or approval of acts whether directed or allowed by its military officers inconsistent with the respect it cherishes for the sovereign rights of the United States of Colombia, or the security of its people inhabiting the isthmus. Your course in promptly tendering verbal assurances to this effect is approved.
It does not appear from your despatch, or the papers referred to and accompanying it, what modification was proposed of the orders to the President of Panama of May 13th, 1865. As the promise of the minister for foreign affairs that those orders should remain unchanged for the present seems to indicate that the purpose to make some modification is not entirely abandoned, the information may be important.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Allan A. Burton, Esq., &c., & c., & c.