William L. Scruggs to Francisco de P. Rueda, August 11, 1875

Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Rueda.

The undersigned, minister resident of the United States, learns with deep concern from the note of the honorable secretary of the interior and foreign relations, dated yesterday, that the federal order in Colombia is seriously disturbed. He indulges the hope that this unhappy state of affairs may be of short duration, and that in the mean time there may arise no necessity for interference by friendly powers for the protection of the persons and property of their citizens sojourning or trading within the territory of Colombia. In concert, however, with his colleagues of the English and French legations in this capital, the undersigned accepts the timely and considerate suggestions of his excellency the President of the Union, as set forth in the honorable Señor Rueda’s note of yesterday. He will therefore dispatch a special courier with instructions to the United States consuls and naval officers on or near the coast, to respect no blockade of Colombian ports by insurgent authorities of Bolivar or other states of the union; to recognize no embargo in the ports named by said insurgents; to resist the payment of customs-duties to any except to the authorized agents of the government; and to take prudent but effective means for the protection of the persons and property of American citizens in the localities named. The undersigned, while thanking his excellency the President of the republic for the solicitude manifested for the protection of American citizens and interests in Colombia, improves the occasion to renew to the honorable Francisco de P. Rueda his assurances of great appreciation and esteem.