No. 195.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.
Bogotá, August 11, 1879. (Received September 22.)
Sir: In my No. 30 of December 31, 1878, I had the honor to bring the fact to your notice that the undefined condition of the boundaries with neighboring republics and the Empire of Brazil is a subject of anxiety to this government.
The mission to Venezuela (which was mentioned in the dispatch above referred to), for the purpose of effecting a settlement of the long pending and at times irritating question of boundaries with the government of that republic, returned to this capital some time ago, without being able to accomplish any of its objects.
Lately, the long-standing dispute which exists between Colombia and Costa Rica, concerning the boundary between the latter republic and the State of Panama, one of the constituent States of the Colombian Union, appears to have entered upon a new stage, as an invasion of [Page 311] Colombian territory, by parties acting under the authority of the Government of Costa Rica, is reported by the Government of the State of Panama.
The details of the reports are very vague, consequently the matter may not be of a serious character, and I only bring the same to your notice as showing the danger to the peace of this republic which may arise suddenly as long as this question of boundaries is left in its present unsettled condition.
The dispute between Colombia (New Grenada) and Costa Rica was brought to the notice of the Department immediately, in 1862, as will be seen by reference to the diplomatic correspondence for that year, page 885, 17th line from the top of the page, and page 902 of the same volume, 5th line from the top of the page.
I am, &c.,