Ernest Dichman to By the President: Wm. M. Evarts, January 20, 1881

No. 199. Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: Upon the receipt of your No. 133, of the 13th of October last, referring to the treaty for the preservation of peace between the Republics of Colombia and Chili, I took the first favorable opportunity for bringing the sentiments contained in your dispatch just cited to the knowledge of the Colombian Government, upon which the most gratifying impression was produced, to the extent of eliciting the suggestion on the part of the Colombian foreign secretary that I might find it convenient to embody your views in an official communication in order that the Colombian Congress, at its next session, might be made acquainted therewith.

Accordingly, I addressed a note to the Colombian foreign secretary, a copy of which I beg leave to inclose, in which I endeavored to convey to his government a knowledge of the pertinent parts of your dispatch No. 133, above mentioned.

From the accompanying copy of his answer you will be pleased to learn that your sentiments, of which I was happy to be the simple instrument of transmission, were received by the President of this republic with the most profound satisfaction, and that the ready approval extended to this government in its adhesion to the great principle of international arbitration and the acceptance for the President of the United States of the office of arbitrator, the interests of peace between the Spanish-American Republics have been advanced, and the friendly and honorable position of the United States as their mediator and counselor is fully recognized.

I am, &c.,