William L. Scruggs to the Hon. J. Sanchez, May 27, 1875

Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Sanchez.

The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America, deplores the necessity of calling the attention of his excellency the honorable Señor Sanchez, secretary of the interior and foreign relations of the United States of Colombia, to the current reports of a revolutionary movement now in progress in the coast States of the republic.

Although the movements referred to are as yet confined to the provinces of Magdalena and Bolivar, they are very generally believed to be a prelude to more extensive insurrections.

The undersigned indulges the hope that these apprehensions, so generally entertained in this capital, may be the result of exaggerated reports from the remote scenes of strife; and, in any event, that the enlightened patriotism and statesmanship of Colombia may prevail for the conservation of that public order and tranquillity which has happily subsisted in the republic during the past decade, and which is so essential to the continued material prosperity and progress of the Colombian people and nation.

But as grave apprehensions exist that these disturbances on the coast will ultimately threaten the integrity of the union, his excellency Senor Sanchez is aware that friendly powers representing valuable interests within Colombian territory, or creditors of the republic, cannot be expected to view with indifference a movement fraught with consequences so serious.

The Government of the undersigned deems it important, in the interests of general commerce) and especially of the carrying-trade across the Isthmus of Panama, that all local insurrections should be guarded against in that section. By existing treaty stipulations with Colombia, the Government of the undersigned engages to guarantee the neutrality of that Isthmus; but this has never been acknowledged to embrace the duty of protecting the Panama-railway transit from the violence of local factions. Such protection is, however, regarded by the Government of the United States as the undoubted duty of the national government of Colombia.

With a view, therefore, to a mutual understanding on this point, and to the prevention of possible complications, arising from interruptions by armed forces of the Isthmian transit, the undersigned respectfully inquires whether the government of his excellency Senor Sanchez apprehends any attempted or incidental interruption of that route, growing out of the present revolutionary movement on the coast; and whether, in such case, his government is prepared to maintain its national sovereignty, and afford full protection and security to the Panama Railway Company, its officers and employés.

Improving this occasion to renew to his excellency the honorable Senor Sanchez his assurances of high and distinguished consideration, the undersigned has the honor to remain, &c.,