Campo Serrano to Robert A. Joy, December 15, 1865

United States of Colombia, sovereign state of Magdalena–Secretary General–Number 1,022, section of government.

The citizen President of the State has received the note which you have directed him from Baranquilla, dated I2th instant, advising him that Mr. Manuel Vengoechea, agent of the executive power of the State, had taken the steamer Antioquia for the service of this government, and I have been instructed to answer you in the following terms:

The citizen President laments the act of having taken the steamer Antioquia by the delegate of the executive power, and he laments it for several reasons, among them because said vessel carried the national mail; but the agent of this government having found himself obliged by circumstances to adopt this measure, the executive power cannot do anything else than give, as it does in fact this day, an order to the delegate to immediately deliver the vessel to the person whom you may appoint, which can take the cargo left in Calamar.

As to the mail which was abandoned by the captain, at the time of the seizure of the vessel, Mr. Vengoechea thought fit to forward it, so that the public might not be delayed in the receipt of their correspondence.

The executive of this State, I repeat to you, laments what has happened with the steamer Antioquia; but as it is a consummated act, it is ready to indemnify the Compania Unida the prejudices which it has suffered, so that you will be pleased to fix the basis upon which to arrange in this case.

Your obedient servant,