Morro to Allan A. Burton, August 1, 1867

Señor Morro to Mr. Burton

The undersigned, chief officer in charge of the department of the interior and foreign relations, has been ordered by the President of the United States of Colombia to put within the knowledge of the honorable Allan A. Burton, minister resident of the United States of America, an act violatory of the sovereignty of Colombia, committed by the chief of the United States war marine stationed in the bay of Panama. On the night of the 15th of July, without the least cause, and while the inhabitants of Panama were in their houses, a hundred armed men disembarked in the city, and the vessel of war armed with cannons came to the gates and wharves of the plaza. At daylight they retired again to their vessels.

The American government, which with so much justice and energy could reprove the conduct of Captain McDearmid and the American consul at Cathagena for an act much less grave than that of occupying a city with forces, will also do justice in this instance by disapproving the act of entering on the territory of a friendly nation and ally of the American Union, for the maintenance of the neutrality and sovereignty of the isthmus of Panama, where the violation has just been committed.

The President of the United States of Colombia, in directing the undersigned to make this communication to the honorable Mr. Burton, does not doubt that the minister will make the same known to his government, and that of Colombia would desire that the minister should ask of the American consul in Panama the particulars and causes of this outrage on the sovereignty of Colombia, and that they be transmitted to his government and to this legation, that the President may know the reasons the chief of the American naval forces may have had for his conduct.

The undersigned improves this opportunity to reiterate to the honorable Mr. Burton the assurances of the particular esteem with which he has the honor to subscribe himself his very attentive, obedient servant,