Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hay.

No. 36.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that reports have reached His Majesty’s Government from the acting British consul at Panama respecting the concerted action taken by the officers commanding the British, United States, and French vessels of war in Central America, which resulted in preventing much bloodshed and in restoring order in the towns of Panama and Colon during the recent insurrection in Colombia.

It appears that the threatened bombardment of the town of Colon by the Government gunboat Pinzon was averted by the tact and hearty cooperation of the naval commanders and consular officers of the three powers, and I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter addressed to the Marquis of Lansdowne by Messrs. Harrison, of Liverpool, a firm of steamship owners interested in trade to Colon, bearing testimony to the happy results of the prompt and decisive action of these gentlemen.

Later, at the time of the threatened attack on Panama, when the insurgents and Government troops came into contact within 10 miles of that place, Captain Perry, of the U. S. S. Iowa, took charge of the Panama Railway and refused to permit armed forces of either side to be conveyed on the trains.

At this stage Captain Perry and Commander McCrea, of the U. S. S. Machias, together with Captain Galloway, of H. M. S. Tribune, and His Majesty’s acting consul, were instrumental in bringing about a meeting between the leaders of the opposing forces on board the U. S. S. Marietta, when the revolutionary general De la Rosa agreed to surrender to Governor Alban, of Panama. It was arranged that Colon should be handed over to the commanding officers of the foreign warships, and by them to the Government troops, which was done in an order by manner.

I have the honor, by direction of the Marquis of Lansdowne, to express to you the gratification with which His Majesty’s Government have received these reports, bearing testimony to the good feeling existing between the naval and consular officers of the two powers and recording the appreciation of their joint action felt by the British commercial firms.

I have, etc.,

Pauncefote.
[Inclosure.]

Messrs. Harrison to the Marquis of Lansdowne.

My Lord: We are advised by our agent in Colon that it is owing entirely to the cooperation between the American consul and his British and French colleagues, and the commanders of the U. S. S. Machias and Marietta, H. M. S. Tribune, and the French Suchet, that the port of Colon was prevented from being bombarded and destroyed by the Colombian warship Pinzon.

[Page 510]

This vessel arrived there from Savanilla with troops, after the port had been seized, and with the full intention on the part of the general in command of the troops of at once opening fire on the place with its guns, and it is quite clear that had such action been permitted the whole place must have been destroyed. What this destruction would have involved, in delays to the various steamers in port and then en route, will be understood without comment on our part.

Being largely interested in the trade via Colon, and the safe conveyance of goods across the Isthmus, we should be obliged if you would convey to the Secretary of the Navy of the United States, and to the marine minister of France, and also to the secretary of the admiralty our thanks for the great services rendered to us and to al I other steamship owners and merchants interested in the trade to Colon by the prompt and decisive action of the commanders of these vessels.

We have, etc.,

Thomas and James Harrison.