Scruggs to Señor Colunjé, December 19, 1873

Mr. Scruggs to Señor Colunjé.

The undersigned minister resident of the United States of America, in compliance with a request by the officers of the Panama Railway Company, has already had the honor to transmit to the government of his excellency the Hon. Jil Coluujé, secretary of the interior and of foreign relations of the United States of Colombia, a representation and protest by said company relating to the recent disturbances on the Isthmus, and to ask that the railway transit of the Isthmus be in future better protected by the government of Colombia from the violence of local factions.

The government of the undersigned deems it important in the interest of general commerce, and especially of the carrying-trade of that route, that these disturbances should, in the future, be more effectually guarded against.

By the treaty with New Granada of 1846, the obligations of which were assumed by its successor, the United States of Colombia, the Government of the undersigned engaged to guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama. But this engagement has never been acknowledged to embrace the duty of protecting the road across the Isthmus from the violence of local factions. It is therefore regarded as the undoubted duty of the government of Colombia to protect that road against attacks from local insurgents.

The undersigned is accordingly instructed by his Government to bring this matter to the attention of your excellency, and to ask that a sufficient force be kept on the Isthmus to deter attacks upon the road, its officers and employés.

With renewed assurances the undersigned has the honor to remain, &c.,