Luis Cárlos Rico to Ernest Dichman, October 23, 1879

Señor Rico to Mr. Dichman.

Sir:Referring to your excellency’s communication of the 4th of September last, and to the private interviews which you have had with me concerning the delivery of registers of vessels in the free ports of the Republic, I have the honor to inform your excellency that, inasmuch as the provisions of the 40th law of June 24, 1879, which is an amendment to the 60th of 1875, are positive, it is not in the power of the Executive to introduce any correction or modification of those provisions.

In view, however, of the views expressed by your excellency on this subject, and of their justice, the attention of the next Congress will be called to the propriety of introducing some modifications in the general method established for the presentation of registers, either on account of the topographical peculiarities of some of our ports, or of the postal services rendered by the vessels of the lines which periodically visit our coasts, or, finally, on account of the short time that vessels putting into port accidentally remain there.

I must inform your excellency that the Colombian Government has established and makes no distinction in favor of vessels of any nationality as to the formalities with which their captains are obliged to comply on arriving in the ports of the Union; all are treated on a footing of absolute equality, according to the legal provisions existing on the subject.

With sentiments of distinguished consideration, I subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.,