Stephen A. Hurlbut to Felipe Zapata, December 1, 1871

Mr. Hurlbut to Mr. Zapata.

The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America, has the honor to present his compliments to the Honorable Dr. Felipe Zapata, secretary for foreign relations, and to forward to him the inclosed claim for personal damages and to property, caused by the criminal acts of Thomas Herréra and others in the recent revolution in the State of Panama.

The inclosed claims arise out of the seizure of the American steamer Montijo, which has already been the subject of a reclamation on the part of the Government of the United States, and the evidence is principally contained in the papers already tiled by the undersigned. It is with very sincere regret that the undersigned feels compelled to ask of the United States of Colombia just and reasonable compensation for the private wrongs and injuries done to American citizens resident within its jurisdiction.

The undersigned had hoped that the compensation in money would have been arranged in an amicable way in Panama, and is, in fact, informed that the question was submitted to a friendly arbitration, but unfortunately it appears that although an award was made in favor of Schuber Brothers for a large sum of money, the other party to the arbitration was either unwilling or uuable to fulfill the same.

Recourse has therefore been had to the undersigned as the diplomatic representative of the party injured.

It certainly appears a hard thing that the general revenues of the Colombian government, derived mainly from the industry of the peaceable and law-abiding people, should be called upon to make good the spoliations of unprincipled and reckless men, but there is no other remedy, and the undersigned, therefore, on behalf of his government, has imposed upon him the necessity of requesting that the inclosed claims may be fairly considered, and, if found to be valid, as he fully believes them to be, that prompt and adequate compensation may be made.

The undersigned renews the expressions of high consideration with which he remains,

Yours, &c.