Allan A. Burton to Señor M. Morro, August 24, 1866

Mr. Burton to Señor Morro

The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America, has learned with regret by the communication which his excellency Señor M. Morro, acting secretary of the interior and foreign relations of the United States of Colombia, was pleased to address him under date of August, 1866, that the Colombian government should have believed that it had cause to complain of a want of respect to the sovereignty of the republic in the alleged landing of armed marines of the United States in Panama on the 15th of July last.

The absence of any report to this legation from the agents of the United States on the isthmus, concerning the occurrence complained of, induces the undersigned to hope, indeed to believe, that an inquiry into the whole facts of the case, which he will not fail to make, will show it to have been much less grave in its character than his excellency’s government has been led to suppose.

Be the result of the inquiry, however, what it may, it is gratifying to the undersigned to know that the Colombian government has anticipated with entire justice the spirit in which the complaint will be received by that of the United States.

The undersigned improves this opportunity to repeat to his excellency the assurances of his high consideration.