Mr. Sullivan to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In reply to your dispatch No. 36, of March 30th, instructing me to inquire into and report upon the nature of the government of the island of Saint Andrew’s, the protection it affords to the lives and property of our citizens doing business therein, and whether any national interest of our country is endangered by the condition of affairs in that island?
I beg leave to say that, after due and diligent inquiry into the facts in this case, I have learned that the islands of Saint Andrew’s and Providence, which were formerly under the nominal jurisdiction of the State of Bolivar, but now under that of the United States of Colombia, are situated in latitude 13° north, about two hundred miles to the northwest of Aspinwall and about one hundred miles east of the Mosquito coast.
About a year ago the State of Bolivar ceded these islands to the United States of Colombia; and for fifteen years previously Bolivar had exercised no jurisdiction over them.
The only government that has existed there is that of justices of the peace, elected by the inhabitants.
Saint Andrew’s is the larger of the two, and is about ten miles long.
There is some trade in cocoanuts and cattle produced on these islands; also, in turtles and tortoise-shells.
Of the population of these islands I know nothing. There is but little or no communication between them and Colombia, which is utterly unable to govern them.
I am unable to learn the extent of the interest of our country in said islands, or about the manner of treatment of our people doing business in or with them, and therefore suggest that one of our war steamers be [Page 1075] ordered there, without delay, to examine into and report upon all the facts in the case.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.