Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Seward.
No. 66.]
Legation of the United States,
Bogota,
May 13, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies (A, B, C) of correspondence had between the Colombian government,
the United States consul at Panama, and myself, on the subject of the
arrest and discharge of Thomas Walsh, at Panama.
The evidence submitted by the Colombian government in this case is so
bulky and difficult of translation, that I prefer to await the report of
[Page 1070]
our consul at Panama
before I form or express an opinion in this case, which may be intended
as a set-off against the Carthagena murder cases.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Perez to Mr. Sullivan.
Office of the Secretary of the
Interior and Foreign Relations,
Bogota,
April 22, 1868.
The secretary for foreign relations of Colombia has the honor to
transmit to the Hon. General Sullivan, minister resident of the
United States of America, a copy of various documents which have
been received in this office, from which it will be seen that on the
afternoon of January 23d last an officer and some marines of the
North American navy, being armed, disembarked at Taboga and
proceeded to the hotel of the same name, and there seized upon Mr.
Thomas Walsh, an English subject and captain of the pilot-boat
Petrel, and handcuffed him and conducted him as a prisoner to
Panama, where he was set at liberty by order of the consul of the
United States of America; that the above-mentioned officer and
soldiers seized, also, the papers of the said vessel, which were
found in possession of the wife of Mr. Walsh; also the chronometer
which he had given to Mr. Casain to keep.
As these facts are in violation of the security which the
institutions of this republic guarantee to all individuals who are
found in the territory of the Union, and being executed by employe’s
of another nation, they are, in a high degree, subversive of the
national sovereignty thereof.
The executive power is under the necessity of formally reclaiming
from the government of the United States of America, with the object
that it should dictate the most efficacious means to avoid the
repetition of deeds of this kind, and that what already had been
done should receive the proper reproof.
The Colombian government at present limits its claim to this exigence
alone, reserving to itself an addition, if it should be necessary
when in the course of the process of law, which, on account of the
above facts, is commenced in Panama, the arrest and trial of the
individuals who had committed those acts should be ordered.
The undersigned expects that General Sullivan will acquaint his
government with the contents of the documents referred to, as also
of the present note.
With sentiments of distinguished consideration the undersigned has
the honor to again acknowledge himself General Sullivan’s obedient
servant,
Hon. Señor General Peter J. Sullivan,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Sullivan to Señor Perez.
Legation of the United States of
America,
Bogota,
May 13, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note, dated the 22d ultimo, relative to
the arrest of Thomas Walsh by an officer and marines of the United
States navy, at Taboga, on the 23d of January last, and his
subsequent discharge by the United States consul at Panama.
I should have answered your said note ere this had I not waited, but
in vain, for a statement of the case from the said consul.
I have written to him to report forthwith the proceedings in this
case, both to the Department of State at Washington and to this
legation.
I have, in the mean time, forwarded a copy of your said note, with a
copy of mine to said consul, to my government.
I have the honor to be, with profound respect, your excellency’s most
obedient servant,
His Excellency Señor Doctor Santiago
Perez,
Secretary of the Interior and Foreign
Relations, United States of Colombia..
[Page 1071]
Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Smith.
Legation of the United
States,
Bogota,
May 10, 1868.
Sir: The secretary for foreign relations of
the United States of Colombia, in a note addressed to this legation
on the 22d ultimo, says:
“That on the 23d of January last an officer and some marines of the
North American navy, being armed, disembarked at Toboga and then and
there seized upon Mr. Thomas Walsh, an English subject, and
handcuffed and conducted him as prisoner to Panama, where he was set
at liberty by the consul of the United States of America.”
The said secretary complains that this act on the part of said
officer is a great outrage upon the laws and sovereignty of
Colombia, and demands of our government that said officer be
reprimanded, and that there shall not be a repetition of similar
acts as are alleged to have been committed by said officer.
You will forthwith report the facts in this case both to the
Department of State at Washington and to this legation, so as that
even-handed justice may be done, knowingly, in the premises.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Thomas K. Smith, Esq., United States Consul,
Panama, United States of Colombia.
