Pacific Squadron to Allan A. Burton , United States, December 30, 1865

Commander Pearson to Mr. Burton

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication of the 15th of October last, relative to the landing of troops in Panama. The troops landed were a guard without ball cartridges, for the funeral honors of the late Colonel McKee, United States consul at that place, and the ship’s band of music without any arms whatever. As I have forwarded to the Navy Department the correspondence between the President of Panama and myself on that singular and frivolous matter, it will be unnecessary for me to trouble you with it any further.

As to the President Jil Colunje, he shall always be respected for the office he holds, although he has never extended to me the usual courtesies of other nations, on my arrival in the port of Panama.

I have not heard anything from the honorable Secretary of the Navy relative to my despatch stating the whole of the transaction to the department.

It would afford me much gratification to see you on board this ship whenever you can find time to visit her.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,