Ernest Dichman to By the President: Wm. M. Evarts, July 13, 1880

No. 206. Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: After all the reports which have been circulated about the unfriendly attitude of the Government of Colombia towards the United States, it will undoubtedly be gratifying to you to learn that in the celebration of the Fourth of July at this capital the Colombian Government took an unusual interest.

The President of this Republic sent a military band of music to play at the legation during the hours of a reception, which took place from 12 to 6 p.m., and during these hours the legation was visited by all the representatives of foreign governments at this capital, the archbishop and other dignitaries of the Catholic Church, the foreign consuls, members of the government, and many prominent citizens. The public buildings and legations had their flags displayed, and at noon a national salute of twenty-one guns was fired in volleys by the entire garrison of Bogota, consisting of three battalions of infantry and one battery of artillery, which for that purpose had been drawn up in the principal public square of the city.

On the following day, the 5th instant, the Colombian senate adopted a resolution in honor of the anniversary of American independence.

This resolution was communicated to me officially by the secretary of foreign relations under date of the 9th of July. For a copy of his communication, as well as my answer, I beg to refer to the inclosures with this dispatch.

On the 6th of this month I paid a visit to President Nuñez, for the purpose of expressing my high appreciation of the acts of courtesy shown by his government in honor of the United States on the Fourth of July. During the interview, which was of the most pleasant nature, President Nunez expressed great admiration for the United States, and the hope that all questions between the two governments would be amicably adjusted.

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I am, &c.,