Hamilton Fish to United States, June 21, 1871

Mr. Fish to Mr. Hurlbut.

Sir: I transmit a copy of dispatch. No. 102, of the 30th ultimo, addressed to this Department by Owen M. Long, esq., consul of the United States at Panama. It relates to recent revolutionary events in that state, and particularly to the seizure and detention of the steamer Montijo, belonging to citizens of the United States, by Thomas Herrera, the leader of the faction in opposition to the Colombian authorities. As the seizure is shown to have taken place before there was any organization of that faction, the members cannot, it is presumed, even under the constitution of Colombia, have been entitled to the rights of belligerents. The seizure was, therefore, a piratical act, for which it is expected that the authors will be held to be judicially accountable. The treaty stipulates that no such seizure shall be made, even by the Colombian authorities, without just compensation to the aggrieved parties. When, therefore, such an act is committed in the waters of that republic by unauthorized persons, the obligation of that government to make amends therefor may be regarded as unquestionable. You will accordingly apply for reparation in this case.

I am, &c.,