Force in the Pacific Ocean to Jil Colunje , President of the State of Panama, September 8, 1865

Mr. Pearson to Señor Jil Colunje

Sir: I have had the honor to receive the communication of your excellency, dated 6th instant. It informs me that your excellency and all the high functionaries of Panama were prepared to attend the burial of the late consul of the United States, Alexander R. McKee, whose loss is so justly deplored, when you noticed a company of armed people belonging to the marine of the United States, and a band of music besides, ready to do the honors due to the military rank and civil employ of Mr. McKee; that you then believed yourself under the painful necessity of abstaining from attending the burial, and of not permitting the other authorities to attend, because permission was not obtained from you, as the highest political authority of the State, for the disembarcation of the above-mentioned force.

In expressing to your excellency my regret that you did not attend the funeral services of a consul so much beloved, I can do no less than express also the impression that I have received from your objections to the presence of a marine guard with only cartridges without balls, and especially to the unarmed band of music of this boat, whose only object was to honor the remains of a consul of the United States in the city of Panama. You speak of the landing of these marines and of this band of music as contrary to the rights of nations; and you say that you had a few troops, and no band of music in the city at this time.

I know perfectly well that armed troops should never put foot on the territory of a friendly government without special permission from its chief, but in the present case, when all the city was mourning the loss of a friend, it never occurred to me that anything that I might do in honor of his memory would be taken in any other sense than joining in the general grief of all, including your excellency, and the other employés of the government.

Besides, at that time, the city was overhung with a cloud of sadness, which prevented lending attention to little forms, no one thinking of anything but in attributing to the deceased and much-loved Colonel McKee a melancholy homage, whose remains were to be immediately buried.

I will here take the liberty to assure your excellency that, in conformity with my orders to the squadron of my command, armed troops will land immediately whenever it is necessary to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty between the United States of Colombia and the United States of America, and especially when the railroad and its passengers are in danger.

You informed me that for the future you hope that when it may be necessary to land armed troops, it will not be done without the consent of your excellency.

There is not the least objection to asking this permission, but I believe it my duty to give you notice, that in case of alarm the required force of the squadron for an immediate service would probably be detained from arriving in Panama at least two hours, waiting to communicate with the city, and receive permission from your excellency.

In consideration of the conditions of the treaty, it is believed that armed troops may be landed at any moment, and our late consul and others anxiously desiring it, I have ordered the marine troops to land when there was any danger, to protect the consulate and the naval deposit, without permission from the authorities, and I am disposed to do the same again, convinced that such conduct will not only be agreeable to the consul and naval storekeeper, but also to the President of the State, since it will contribute to the preservation of good order.

Do not think for a moment, however, that I dispute your legitimate right to wish that permission be asked, by means of an officer, to disembark armed troops in time of necessity, or to do the customary funeral honors at the death of an employé of the United States, or to land a band of unarmed musicians.

All this, besides being your lawful duty, would give me pleasure to carry it out, by means of an order to the commanders of the different vessels of this squadron.

I shall also remit to the government which I have the honor to serve a copy of your communication, and a copy of my answer, to the end that, if at any time the force under my command shall be delayed, in case of any emergency, in consequence of my awaiting your consent to the disembarcation, the censure may not be attributed to me.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,