No. 207.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Blaine.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Bogota, August 1, 1881.
(Received September 17.
No. 301.]
Sir: In further reference to my No. 237 of last
December 24, bringing to your favorable notice the conduct of Lieut. H. R.
Lemly, Third United States Artillery, in connection with the Military
Academy of Colombia, I am pleased to be able to inform you, thanking you to
transmit the information to the War Department, that, by his knowledge,
tact, and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Lemly has secured the approval
[Page 358]
of the Colombian authorities and
respect of this community to such an extent as to be advanced to the
position of superintendent of the academy, officially styled “chief director
of studies of the School of Civil and Military Engineering,” and that as a
special mark of distinction this appointment has been accompanied by a
decree conferring upon him the rank of colonel in the Colombian army.
A copy of the very complimentary note of the Colombian secretary of war, in
which the above-mentioned appointment of Mr. Lemly is communicated to this
legation, as well as a copy of my answer to the same, are respectfully
inclosed.
* * * * * * *
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
301.—Translation.]
Mr. Payan to Mr.
Dichman.
Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor to inform
your excellency that the executive power of the Union has been pleased
to appoint Mr. H. R. Lemly, a citizen of the United States of America,
director, chief of studies of the School of Civil and Military
Engineering of the Republic, and likewise that the Government of
Colombia will direct the issue to the said Mr. Lemly of the commission
of colonel in the Colombian army.
The executive power has desired to manifest in this manner its gratitude
to Mr. Lemly for his especial devotion to duty, and for the zeal and
interest in favor of this country that he has shown in the discharge of
the duties of the professorship in the School of Engineering, to which
he was called by virtue of a contract.
The ability of Mr. Lemly and the elevation of his character have merited
the especial consideration of the Government of Colombia, which believes
it a duty to inform your excellency of the above, as the representative
here of the government and people of the great republic.
I have, &c.,
ELISCO PAYAN,
Secretary of War and the
Navy of the United States of Colombia.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 301.]
Mr. Dichman to Mr.
Payan.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotà, July 21,
1881.
Sir: I have to thank you for your polite
communication No. 3211 of the 14th instant, in which you are pleased to
inform me that, in recognition of the devotion to duty, zeal, and
interest manifested by Mr. H. R. Lemly, in his relations with the School
of Civil and Military Engineering, the executive power of Colombia has
seen fit to appoint him director of said school and confer upon him also
the rank of colonel in the Colombian Guard.
As Mr. Lemly is an officer of the Army of the United States it will no
doubt be gratifying to the honorable Secretary of War at Washington to
learn of the well-merited appreciation and esteem which Mr. Lemly enjoys
in Colombia, and the consideration and distinction which he has received
from your hands, and I shall therefore take the first opportunity of
transmitting a copy of your No. 3211, above mentioned, for the
information of my government.
Be pleased, &c.,
