No. 134.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Bogota, June 1, 1879.
(Received July 8, 1879.)
No. 93.]
Sir: The cessation of the political troubles in
this republic (accounts of which have been given in my dispatches) seemed to
indicate to me a fitting opportunity for manifesting to this government the
interest and feeling of friendship entertained by the Government of the
United States toward the sister republic of Colombia.
Accordingly I directed a note, a copy of which is inclosed, to the honorable
secretary of the interior and foreign relations.
Upon the opportune receipt of your dispatch No. 34, of March 21, 1879, I
brought the concluding part thereof to the notice of the President, and I
take pleasure in stating that the sentiments of interest and sympathy to
which it gives expression were not only highly appreciated, but also
exercised a most beneficial influence, conducive to a pacific settlement of
questions which at one time threatened to precipitate this country into
civil war, by awakening a sense of moral responsibility to the opinions of a
friendly government.
This is an influence which, if it will continue to make itself felt, will do
much towards assimilating the settlement of political questions to the
actions of other countries.
I have, therefore, deemed it advisable to incorporate the concluding part of
your No. 34 in my note to the honorable secretary of the interior and
foreign relations.
I would respectfully call your attention to the accompanying answer from the
Colombian Government.
I have, &c.,
[Page 286]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 93.]
Mr. Dichman to Mr.
Rico.
Legation of the United States,
Bogota, May 20,
1879.
Sir: The impending danger of civil war, which
at one time threatened to disturb the peace of the republic of the
United States of Colombia, having subsided, I take this occasion as the
representative of a friendly republican and American Government, to
offer you my congratulations upon this happy change in the course of
events. It would have been a sad calamity if the people of Colombia, who
have made so many sacrifices for the establishment of free institutions
in the spirit of an advanced civilization, should have been forced by
unforeseen circumstances to endure the miseries and distress arising
from a civil conflict, which was averted by the energetic measures of
the administration, the wisdom of Congress, the loyal spirit of the
government of the State of Cundinamarca, the efforts of the citizens of
Bogota, and the patriotism of the people.
It is sincerely to be hoped that the patriotic spirit of conciliation and
of regard for the institutions and welfare of the country which
manifested itself on this occasion, will make itself felt in all parts
of the republic, and will be adopted as a precedent for the settlement
of any difference which may arise in the future.
Identified as are the Governments of the United States of America and the
United States of Colombia in institutions and political principles, I am
sure that the peaceful solution of questions which at one time
threatened to engulf this country in civil war will be hailed with joy
in the United States, both from a feeling of friendship and sympathy
existing between the two countries, and, also, as giving an additional
proof of the fact that republican institutions educate and develop a
regard for law, and a spirit of restraint and self-government in the
people.
As expressive of the views of the Government of the United States, I beg
to add an extract from a dispatch just received from the Secretary of
State of the United States, in which the Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary
of State, expresses himself as follows:
“The Government of the United States could not but feel the keenest
sorrow, should the territory of a sister republic be ravaged by civil
strife, and it hopes, that a pacific and equitable solution maybe found
whereby to avert so great a disaster.”
With the assurance of the highest consideration, I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in dispatch No.
93—Translation.]
Mr. Rico to Mr.
Dichman.
United
States of Colombia, Department of the Interior and Foreign
Relations.
Bogota, May 27,
1879.
It has afforded me particular gratification to acquaint the President of
the Union with the dispatch of your honor of the 20th instant, in which
you were pleased to congratulate the Government of Colombia upon the
happy change in the political situation of the republic in the direction
of peace, after the recent agitation which threatened to disturb it.
As the faithful interpreter of the sentiments of loyal American feeling
of the friendly and republican people which your honor so worthily
represents in our country, your honor has known to appreciate the
gravity of the situation in which we found ourselves but a few days ago,
and the flattering aspect which is presented to-day; considering this as
an augury of tranquility and of order and stability for the future.
The president thanks you, in the name of the Colombian people, for the
spontaneous friendship with which your honor interested yourself for the
tranquility and progress of Colombia, and the manifestations which in
that sense your honor has been pleased to make, as well as for the kind
wishes of the American Government, which your honor communicated from
it, and which that magistrate (the President) esteems as a proof of
elevated views and of the most cordial sympathy.
I will thank your honor to be pleased to communicate this testimonial of
gratitude at large to your government, aud to accept the assurance of
the most distinguished consideration with which I have, &c.,
