Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Hanaberg.
Sir: Your dispatch of the 12th ultimo, stating that the persons charged with the assassination of the officers of the steamers Rayo and Colombia had been finally tried and acquitted, has come to hand.
This is, indeed, an alarming state of affairs in Colombia, which makes every foreigner in this country tremble for his property and his life.
I have this day sent another strong note to the Colombian government reviewing this trial—protesting against it as a mockery of law, of justice, and of international comity, and urging a compliance with the terms of my note of the 20th of January last, demanding indemnities for the families of Borchart and Murdaugh, and for Dornin and Smith. I am fully determined that, in future, all American citizens sojourning in Colombia shall be safe in their persons and property; and, should those barbarous and bloodthirsty assassains defy me, I have a sure plan by which I can make them as tame as toothless serpents.
Private.—The British consul, in a note on this trial to the British charge d’affaires here, gives the character of three of the jury who had tried those assassins.
I must again thank you for the great fidelity and zeal which you have shown in this matter.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Aug. S. Hanaberg, Esq., United States Consul, Carthagena.