Office of the Historian
[Translation.]

Señor Martin to Mr. Seward

Department of the Interior and Foreign Relations, United States of Colombia, Bogota, May 23,1867.

The undersigned, secretary of state in the department of the interior and foreign relations of the United States of Colombia, has the honor to address the honorable Secretary of State of the United States of America, and enclose him an authentic copy of the autograph letter in which the Citizen General Santos Acosta informs his Excellency, the President of the American Union, that he this day takes charge of the presidency of the republic in the character of second delegate, elected by congress to exercise the executive power of the union, making the customary promise to that effect before the supreme federal court.

For this reason the undersigned is pleased to present to the honorable Secretary of State of the United States of America the assurances of his very distinguished consideration.

CARLOS MARTIN.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.

[Untitled]

The President of the United States of Colombia to the President of the United States of America,&c. &c., &.,

Sir:I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have this day taken possession of the presidential chair of the United States of Colombia in my character as second delegate, elected by congress, to exercise the executive national power in default of the President, and on account of the absence of the first delegate, Citizen Santos Gutierrez. For that purpose I have made the constitutional promise before the supreme court of the republic.

In communicating this fact to your Excellency it is my pleasant duty to say that one of the chief aims of the government of the union will be to maintain the good relations that already exist between the government and people of Colombia and the country whose destinies youso happily direct.

To increase these ties, and make them firmer through courtesy and justice, will be a fraternal duty in progress, which the government of the United States of Colombia will ever keep in view.

Your Excellency will please accept the sentiments of the high and distinguished consideration with which he has the honor to be your good friend.

SANTOS ACOSTA.

Done in Bogota, on the 23d day of May, 1867.
CARLOS MARTIN, Secretary of the Interior and Foreign Relations.