Rojas Garrido to Mr. Allan A. Burton, September 3, 1866

Señor Garrido to Mr. Burton

The undersigned, secretary of the interior and foreign relations of the United States of Colombia, by order of his government, has the honor to make known to the honorable Mr. Allan A. Burton, minister resident of the government of the United States of America, that private intelligence worthy of credit has just been received that preparations are being made in the State of Panama for an uprising, proclaiming its separation from the United States of Colombia, which, according to indications, is instigated by agents of the Panama railroad Company, it being a noted fact that that people do not aspire to such a separation. It is possible that in such an emergency the insurgents may create some conflict against Americans or their interests, and it being proper to provide against this immediately and to avoid the consequences of a like scandal, the great general President hopes that the minister will be pleased to give account of it to his government by this mail, dictating the proper means to the American troops and to the citizens of that republic, as also to the agents of the railroad company, to keep themselves completely free from the events indicated, being as it is, a duty of the government of the United States of America to guarantee positively and effectively the perfect neutrality of the isthmus, and consequently the rights of sovereignty and propriety that the United States of Colombia hold and possess over said territory.

With sentiments of deep consideration, the undersigned subscribes himself Mr. Burton’s very attentive and obsequious servant,