I inclose herewith copy and translation of the resolution of the
Colombian foreign office settling this claim.
It might be well to remark that this is the only claim to date in which
the Colombian Government has paid the full amount requested, even in vales.
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Ministry for Foreign Affaires,
Bogotá, October 10, 1905.
Raymond and Sophie Smith, citizens of the United States of America,
domiciled in the municipality of Aguachica, Department of Magdalena,
possessed in that municipality a country estate, on which they had
plantations of cacao, coffee, a dwelling house, domestic fowls and
cattle. It is known in the petition that they observed neutral
conduct during the last revolution.
It also appears duly proved: 1st. That forces of the Gramalote
battalion, which formed part of the army commanded by General Luis
Morales Berti, appeared on said estate of Raymond and Sophie Smith
and took various head of cattle and other domestic animals of the
corral; 2nd. That later, government forces which were in Ocana under
orders of Miguel Quin, civil and military chief of that city, set
fire to the house of said Smiths and destroyed the plantations of
the estate of Aguachica; 3rd. That revolutionary forces had entered
that estate, before the house was burned, and carried off the cattle
which had remained there after the Gramalote battalion of the
government forces had taken the greater part; and 4th. That seeing
themselves without any protection whatever, the Smiths resolved to
abandon their estate, and in fact did so abandon it, going to
Barranquilla, from whence they afterwards proceeded to the United
States.
The foreign character of the claim is proved, and it is also known
that after coming to Colombia they bought the lands in the vicinity
of Aguachica, built the house which was burned, cleared the land of
trees and underbrush, and made the plantations of cacao and coffee
which were destroyed. But the claim does not clearly prove how much
of the damages and expropriations were caused by the government
forces; and therefore, in consideration, on the one part, of the
good faith which the claim reveals, and, on the other, that it is a
case for the application of Article 2 of law 27 of 1903, deciding in
good faith and belief, and bearing in mind the legal proof and form
in which it is presented, as well as the rectitude with which it has
been pressed by the claimants, the ministry fixes the sum of the
indemnity which can be given to the petitioners at $1,500. 00
In consideration of the above it is resolved:
That there be recognized in favor of Raymond and Sophie Smith,
citizens of the United States, as the only and definite indemnity
for the value of their claim, the sum of $1,500.00 gold, payable in
vales de extranjeros.
It is made known that the Honorable Alban G. Snyder, chargé
d’affaires of the United States, is authorized to receive the sum
recognized, and that the payment should be made to him.
Let it be made known, copied in the respective book, published in the
Diario Oficial, and if accepted by the claimants, an authentic copy
sent to the ministry of finance and treasury to be paid and placed
in the archives.
The minister.
