[Translation.]
General Salgar to Mr. Seward
Legation of the United States of
Colombia, Washington,
April 17, 1867.
Sir: That your excellency’s government may
exactly understand the matters which have recently occurred in the
chief city of Colombia, and to do away any unfavorable impression
which may have in respect to our condition been produced by the
false and gratuitous news sent from Panama about a coup d’état having happened there in prejudice of the
majesty and prerogatives of the national congress, I have the honor
to send to you three printed papers which I received by last mail,
the contents of which give a true relation of the facts.
Not for a single moment were the immunities of congress disregarded;
and although, unfortunately, there was not perfect harmony between
the President and a majority of the chambers, constitutional order
was not disturbed, and finally a perfectly satisfactory
understanding was reached in respect of the peaceful and sure
progress of the country.
I avail of this occasion to renew to you the assurances of my very
distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward,&c., &c., &c.
[Translation in substance of the
proceedings of the Colombian senate and representatives and
President Mosquera in March, 1867.]
La Paz–Congress before the country.
On the 16th March, 1867, many senators and representatives, in
view of the alarming státe of public affairs, resolved to go
into private caucus for the adoption of measures that might
settle existing complications. General Santos Acosta was chosen
president, and Manuel Plata Azuevo secretary. The propositions
of the majority and of the minority were read. The matter was
discussed in all its bearings, and Mr. Borrero offered as
amendment:
[Page 822]
“In case of agreement between the two fractions of the liberal
party represented in the egislative chambers, by common consent
the executive authority shall be required to withdraw the
message he addressed to the chambers on the 14th instant.”
This proposition was adopted by the unanimous
vote of all present,except three.
Discussion then turned on the reorganization of the Panama
railroad arrangements. Several propositions were discussed and
passed over, when Mr. Plata Azuerro offered the following for
consideration:
“The executive authority shall be empowered, public notice being
previously given, to make a contract for the alienation of the
reserves of the Panama railroad, so that the nation may not lose
its territorial rights, and may secure to itself a considerable
annual income.
The bases of such contract shall be fixed by congress, taking for
minimum the contract made with Mr. Totten, with the amendments
made up to the day when the law was discussed. Such alienation
shall not take place unless in case the contract for a loan made
in London with Messrs. Robinson and Fleming be not carried into
effect.”
The proposition for suspension of discussion being approved, and
this said motion argued and voted upon in detail, was approved
in all its parts by the unanimous vote of the members.
The second proposition of the majority was then discussed and
modified by citizen Mateus. and approved by the meeting in these
terms:
“The project of the law on public order shall be modified as soon
as the President withdraws his message and offers further
remarks on said project.”
The religious question then coming up, the report of the majority
was presented, and then the report of the minority, and the
result was adopted (on discussion) in the following terms:
“In this present year no law shall be passed on religious
affairs; but the banishment of the bishops shall be taken off by
means of an amnesty granted by congress.”
In continuation, citizen Plata Azuerro proposed, and the meeting
unanimously approved, the following:
“The acts of the present session being extended and signed, the
minority will require the executive to withdraw the message he
addressed to congress on the 14th instant; and in case the
President of the republic should refuse to do so, or refuse to
enforce the execution of the laws, the two liberal fractions
into which congress is divided solemnly engage to work together
in perfect unity to sustain at all hazard such propositions, as
well as also the constitution and the laws of the republic.”
It was then agreed to appoint a committee to address the nation.
The president appointed citizens Aroseneena and José Joaquin
Vargas. The meeting rose, to meet again the next day at noon,
requiring the secretary to have the propositions adopted
extended, ready for signing. These were five in number, as above
stated, and a sixth added, providing for expenses of the year in
the footing of those of 1866.
[All the officers and members signed the proceedings. Their names
will also be found, appended to the legislative allocution to
the nation, page 823.—Translator.]
[Translation.]
Proclamation.
T. C. de Mosquera, grand general of the union,
President of the United Stales of Colombia, to the
nation:
Colombians: The 16th of March, 1867,
will be recollected by you as a memorable day in the annals of
Colombia. The liberals who have seats in the two chambers, after
having had conferences among themselves and with the members of
the executive government, listening to the voice of patriotism,
have knitted afresh their republican relations and sentiments to
produce the disappearance of that uneasiness which held the
nation in conflict.
Union is strength!
The hydra of discord which unhappily was beginning to raise its
head amongst us, has disappeared. Peace has been secured, the
executive power has re-established its constitutional relations
with the chambers. Colombians! the triumphs of reason are more
glorious than such as may be obtained in the fields of battle
defending a good cause. Civilization feels proud on this day.
Forget forever the causes which might have blindfolded you,
believing that conquests achieved during seven years in favor of
the federal democratic system could not be lost. In this classic
land there is none soever, nor can there be any, to pretend that
the republican form of government can be replaced by those
absolute governments.
We still need wholesome reforms to complete the true system we
have adopted, but they should be the sincere expression of
patriotic feeling and of study of social necessities.
Colombians! the necessities of the country are many. It belongs
to Congress to remedy them. Doubt it not. Animated by the most
lively desire to do good, and united to the executive power by
the constitutional bonds which the people have traced out for
them on delegating to them the law-making power, will put an end
to this abnormal situation which agitates opinions. Colombians!
return in tranquillity to your ordinary occupations. The dark
[Page 823]
cloud which
threatened a horrible tempest has disappeared; and on my part I
assure you I will be the guardian of your liberties, of your
repose, and of the national honor, that the creeds of Colombians
and their habit of worship of the Deity shall be respected,
because religious liberty is inseparable from civil liberty.
That is the mission which you have confided to me. Compatriots!
may the understanding initiated between the members of congress
and the President carry into your hearts the same sentiment, and
that with the disappearance of the names of political parties
there be none but Colombians who can discuss theories of
government calmly, and may adopt what the national majority may
consecrate as necessary. Listen to the sacred invocation of your
hearts, and the republic will be saved.
T. C. DE MOSQUERA.
Bogota, March 17,
1867.
[Translation.]
To the nation:
After long and arduous labor in the bosom of the legislative
chambers, and when it was thought that could only terminate in
war, providentially it has terminated in peace.
This peace is the union of the fractions into which congress was
divided; union which was formed yesterday and is to-day ratified
by this manifestation; and by the union of those fractions with
the executive power on the ground of the constitution and the
law, the executive power will this day address itself to the
nation to confirm these words.
Fellow citizens! we have not in our legislative labors for an
instant forgotten what a terrible evil war is to all of you, and
how great is your just yearning for peace. We have decided in
favor of the policy which spares you from bloodshed and death,
without having had anything to do in our latest relations with
the executive power, animated by the like sentiments as
ourselves, contrary to the duty and dignity of congress. It is
on this account that we have called providential the happy event
which we announce to you.
In peace we can follow out the development of all legitimate
interests, strengthen our insitutions, and give guarantees to
all Colombians without distinction of parties.
Colombians! may God grant that the policy which takes account of
humanity may be inaugurated on our soil, seconding the example
of congress which initiates it.
Colombians! to the grievous expectation in which you have been
placed, looking forward to battles, may there now follow
tranquillity to devote yourselves to the work which constitutes
the prosperity and true honor of the republic.
Senators—Manuel Abello, Santos Acosta,
Manuel Amador Fierro, Simon Arboleda, Augustin Arias, Ruperto
Anzola, I. M. Barrera, Rafael Buenaventura, Miguel Cotes, Jesus
Maria Chaparro, Ignacio Fernandez, Pedro Goitia, M. de Guzman,
M. Hurralde, Santiago Izquierdo, Rafael Mendoza, R. Nevarro,
Benjamin Noguera, Nicholas Rocha, Ramon Santo Domingo Vila,
Silvestre Serrano, Augustin Vargas, Manuel M. Villiquiram
Espada.
Representatives—Pablo Arosemena, Pedro
Blanco Garcia, Napoleon Borrero, Jose Maria Campo Serrano, M.
Gonzales Carazo, Domnino Castro, César Conto, Inocencio Cuealon,
Anibal Currea, S. Chaparro, Martin Guerra, I. Herrera, Matias
Herrera, Juan N. Iregui, Jerman Jimenes, Jesus Jimenes,
Bartolome Lievano, J. C. Lobo Jacomé, Francisco de P. Mateus,
Nereo Mattalana, José Maria Navarrete, Temistocles Paredes,
Guillermo Pereira, Luis Gonsalez Vasquez, Manuel Maria Ramirez,
M. Plata Azuero, José A. Porras, Salvador Ramos, Demetrio Rei
Rodriguez, Erasmo Rieux, C. Nicolas Rodriguez, José C. Romero,
Francisco de P. Rozo, Gabriel A. Sarmiento, Segundo Soler,
Manuel Suarez Fortoul, Jesus Temistocles Tejada, Julian
Trujillo, Francisco Useche, Vicente Vanegas, José A. Vargas, I.
Joaquin Vargas, Avelino Vela, Felipe Zapata.
