[Extract.]
Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Seward.
No. 29.]
Legation of the United States,
Bogota,
September 26, 1867.
Sir: Since my arrival here the Colombian
government annulled Geneeral Mosquera’s decree of November 17, 1866,
upon the adjudication of maritime prizes.
It has granted a new lease, for ninety-nine years, of the right of
transit to the Panama Railroad Company, in consideration of one million
dollars in hand, and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum
during the term of the lease.
It has granted a contract to the International Ocean Telegraph Company of
New York (see inclosed A, B, C) to land upon and run through any portion
of the territory of the United States of Colombia a telegraph line, to
connect with one from New York via Florida, Cuba, and Panama, thus
connecting South America, the United States and Europe with one
continuous line of communication, having New York for its center.
It has, also, just signed a contract with a New York company for the
exclusive right of fishery to this company in all the seacoast waters of
Colombia. This contract has yet to be approved by the senate, which I
think will be done.
All of these vast privileges have been given to citizens of our
country.
* * * * * * * * *
A rumor prevails here that several American citizens were lately
murdered, in cold blood, by Colombian officials at Carthagena, and that
while committing this atrocious crime the assassins boasted that “the
Colombians were a match for the disunited Americans.”
I have sent unofficial communications to our consuls at Carthagena and
Baranquilla on this subject. At first I heard that these rumored murders
were committed by General Herrera at Rio Hatché. I shall await the facts
before I take any official action in this matter.
* * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Rebello to Mr. Sullivan.
Legation of the United
States,
Bogota,
August 10, 1867.
Sir: Herewith I beg to hand you an original
of a contract entered into by me, as attorney of the International
Ocean Telegraph Company of New York, with the secretary of finance
of the Colombian government, signed by us, and approved by the
president, H. E. Santos Acosta, this day.
I beg you to place same on the records of your legation.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
General Peter J. Sullivan,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
[Page 1035]
Telegraphic Contract.
[Translation.]
Contract made between the secretary of the treasury of the United
States of Colombia and Charles Rebello, authorized agent of the
International Oceanic Telegraph Company of New York, conceding
to this company permission to establish on the coasts of the
republic the extreme ends of telegraphic submarine cables and
unite these with overland telegraphic lines:
The undersigned, to wit: Jorge Gutierres de Lara, secretary of
the treasury and finance of the United States of Colombia, duly
authorized by the executive government on the one part, and on
the other, Charles Rebello, authorized by the International
Oceanic Telegraph Company of New York, (International Ocean
Telegraph Company,) in accordance with the powers he has
exhibited have concluded the contract following:
Article 1. The secretary of the
treasury and finance, in the name of the executive authority of
the United States of Colombia, and in virtue of the authority
conferred on him by the legislative decree of the 25th of July
last, grants permission to the International Ocean Telegraph
Company of New York, to establish on the shores of the republic
the ends of submarine telegraphic cables which may place the
nation in contact with other points on the earth, also to
connect said submarine cables with telegraphic lines by
land.
Art. 2. The International Ocean
Telegraph Company of New York rests under obligations to
transmit gratuitously through every telegraphic line, whether
submarine or terrene, which it may hold in virtue of the
concession of the permission to which the preceding article
refers, all the official communications of the national
authorities and of the States.
Art. 3. The secretary of the treasury
and finance, in the name of the executive authority and in
virtue of the provisions in article 2 of the said legislative
decree, declares the undertaking to which the preceding articles
refer to be of public utility, and therefore the International
Oceanic Telegraph Company of New York shall enjoy the
prerogatives annexed to this declaration.
Art. 4. In cases of foreign war or
intestine disturbance in the republic of Colombia, the
telegraphic lines which may be held in virtue of this permission
in Colombian territory, shall not be in operation except under
the supervision of the political authorities of this nation.
Art. 5. Considering that Charles
Rebello is lacking in faculties to compel the company to the
payment of the five per cent. of dividends, which are to be
distributed to the shareholders for the profits which may be had
on the lines referred to in article 2of this contract, it is
stipulated that the International Oceanic Telegraph Company of
New York shall give notice to the government of Colombia,
eitheir directly or through the Colombian legation at
Washington, within six months, reckoned from the date of the
approval of this contract by the executive authority, whether it
binds itself to pay the said five per cent. that it may become
exempted from every kind of imposts and contributions, whether
national or of the States. In case this obligation is assumed
and the notice received to which this article refers, the
government of Colombia binds itself to exempt the International
Oceanic Telegraph Company of New York, from the payment of any
impost or contribution, national or State, and by these presents
declares that it shall not in any case be obliged to satisfy
those which may be imposed on them. In case of non-exemption on
the part of the company it will have no right to the preceding
exemption.
Art. 6. Doubts which may arise about
the meaning of the clauses of this permission and cannot be
dispersed by agreement between the government of Colombia shall
be submitted to the decision of the courts of the republic.
Art. 7. This contract shall be
submitted to the approval of the President of the union, without
which it cannot be carried into effect. In faith whereof we have
signed three of the same tenor at Bogota, on the tenth of
August, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Approved:
JORGE GUTIERRES DE LARA, Secretary
of the Treasury and Finance.
[Page 1036]
C.
Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Rebello.
Legation of the United
States,
Bogota,
August 13, 1867.
Sir: It affords me great pleasure to
acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 10th instant,
accompanying the contract entered into by you as said attorney with
the Colombian government, giving permission to your company to
establish a telegraph line to the coast, and through the territory,
under the jurisdiction of the United States of Colombia.
I shall place this valuable document on the records of this legation,
and transmit a copy of it herewith to you, and also one to the
Department of State, United States.
The lively zeal which you have thus manifested in the service and
cause of your company—the development of commerce and of
civilization; and above all, the fraternal feelings which this great
enterprise is well calculated to bring about among the great nations
whose commerce it will greatly increase, must, indeed, place you
prominently among the benefactors of mankind.
I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Charles Rebello, Esq., Attorney of the International Ocean Telegraph
Company of New York.
