Joseph F. Mansfield to E. Dichman , United States, March 20, 1879

Mr. Mansfield to Mr. Dichman.

Sir and Dear Colleague: I have the honor to inform you that I have been instructed by Her Majesty’s Government to obtain, if possible, the co-operation of my United States, French, and German colleagues in pressing upon the Colombian Government the revision of the law of 1875 respecting the depositing of ships’ registers with the local authorities instead of in the hands of the consular agents in Colombian ports. I have perused with much interest the convention signed between yourself and M. Arosemena upon this subject, which indeed takes about the same ground as a somewhat similar arrangement entered into with the Colombian Government in 1876, when Mr. Ancizar was secretary of foreign affairs.

The arrangement of 1876, as indeed your recent convention with Mr. Arosemena, does not entirely meet the case. As long as the Jaw of 1875 remains upon the Colombian statute-book, grave inconvenience might arise at any moment, as a law ratified by Congress might be assumed and with justice to override any arrangement or convention entered into between the secretary of state and foreign diplomatic agents. I should therefore feel extremely obliged if you would inform me whether Mr. Arosemena has, in addition, given you any definite promise that the government will promote legislation in Congress with a view to the abrogation of the obnoxious law.

I beg to inclose a copy of a dispatch from Sir Edward Thornton, containing the views of the Cabinet of Washington upon this subject.

I have the honor to be, sir and dear colleague, your most obedient servant,