No. 202.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Bogotá, November 9, 1879.
(Received January 12.)
No. 158.]
Sir: Referring to the series of correspondence on
the subject of the custody of registers of American vessels by the consuls
of the United States in the ports of Colombia, I beg to inform the
Department that I am assured by the Colombian secretary of foreign relations
that the attention of the next Congress will be called to the matter, with a
recommendation to make such a change in the law as may be required by the
exceptional position of the free ports of Aspinwall and Panama.
[Page 321]
The accompanying copy of a note from the Colombian secretary of foreign
relations, which clearly sets forth a promise to that effect, also contains
an explicit statement showing that the vessels of all nations are treated
alike in Colombian ports, and that no discriminations are practiced.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 158.]
Mr. Dichman to
Señor Rico.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, September 4,
1879.
Sir: It having been represented to the
Government of the United States that the regulations concerning the
clearance of vessels at the free ports of Colon-Aspinwall and Panama,
when such vessels touch at said ports in connection with the transit of
the isthmus, are prejudicial to the freedom of the transit guaranteed by
Colombia under the treaty with the United States, I beg to bring this
matter to your notice, and will thank you to indicate a time when it
will suit your convenience to hold a conference with me in relation to
the same.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
158.—Translation.]
Señor Rico to Mr.
Dichman.
United
States of Colombia,
Department of the Interior and of
Foreign Relations,
Bogotá, October 23,
1879.
Sir:Referring to your excellency’s
communication of the 4th of September last, and to the private
interviews which you have had with me concerning the delivery of
registers of vessels in the free ports of the Republic, I have the honor
to inform your excellency that, inasmuch as the provisions of the 40th
law of June 24, 1879, which is an amendment to the 60th of 1875, are
positive, it is not in the power of the Executive to introduce any
correction or modification of those provisions.
In view, however, of the views expressed by your excellency on this
subject, and of their justice, the attention of the next Congress will
be called to the propriety of introducing some modifications in the
general method established for the presentation of registers, either on
account of the topographical peculiarities of some of our ports, or of
the postal services rendered by the vessels of the lines which
periodically visit our coasts, or, finally, on account of the short time
that vessels putting into port accidentally remain there.
I must inform your excellency that the Colombian Government has
established and makes no distinction in favor of vessels of any
nationality as to the formalities with which their captains are obliged
to comply on arriving in the ports of the Union; all are treated on a
footing of absolute equality, according to the legal provisions existing
on the subject.
With sentiments of distinguished consideration, I subscribe myself,
Yours, &c.,
