No. 134.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.

No. 93.]

Sir: The cessation of the political troubles in this republic (accounts of which have been given in my dispatches) seemed to indicate to me a fitting opportunity for manifesting to this government the interest and feeling of friendship entertained by the Government of the United States toward the sister republic of Colombia.

Accordingly I directed a note, a copy of which is inclosed, to the honorable secretary of the interior and foreign relations.

Upon the opportune receipt of your dispatch No. 34, of March 21, 1879, I brought the concluding part thereof to the notice of the President, and I take pleasure in stating that the sentiments of interest and sympathy to which it gives expression were not only highly appreciated, but also exercised a most beneficial influence, conducive to a pacific settlement of questions which at one time threatened to precipitate this country into civil war, by awakening a sense of moral responsibility to the opinions of a friendly government.

This is an influence which, if it will continue to make itself felt, will do much towards assimilating the settlement of political questions to the actions of other countries.

I have, therefore, deemed it advisable to incorporate the concluding part of your No. 34 in my note to the honorable secretary of the interior and foreign relations.

I would respectfully call your attention to the accompanying answer from the Colombian Government.

I have, &c.,

ERNEST DICHMAN.
[Page 286]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 93.]

Mr. Dichman to Mr. Rico.

Sir: The impending danger of civil war, which at one time threatened to disturb the peace of the republic of the United States of Colombia, having subsided, I take this occasion as the representative of a friendly republican and American Government, to offer you my congratulations upon this happy change in the course of events. It would have been a sad calamity if the people of Colombia, who have made so many sacrifices for the establishment of free institutions in the spirit of an advanced civilization, should have been forced by unforeseen circumstances to endure the miseries and distress arising from a civil conflict, which was averted by the energetic measures of the administration, the wisdom of Congress, the loyal spirit of the government of the State of Cundinamarca, the efforts of the citizens of Bogota, and the patriotism of the people.

It is sincerely to be hoped that the patriotic spirit of conciliation and of regard for the institutions and welfare of the country which manifested itself on this occasion, will make itself felt in all parts of the republic, and will be adopted as a precedent for the settlement of any difference which may arise in the future.

Identified as are the Governments of the United States of America and the United States of Colombia in institutions and political principles, I am sure that the peaceful solution of questions which at one time threatened to engulf this country in civil war will be hailed with joy in the United States, both from a feeling of friendship and sympathy existing between the two countries, and, also, as giving an additional proof of the fact that republican institutions educate and develop a regard for law, and a spirit of restraint and self-government in the people.

As expressive of the views of the Government of the United States, I beg to add an extract from a dispatch just received from the Secretary of State of the United States, in which the Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary of State, expresses himself as follows:

“The Government of the United States could not but feel the keenest sorrow, should the territory of a sister republic be ravaged by civil strife, and it hopes, that a pacific and equitable solution maybe found whereby to avert so great a disaster.”

With the assurance of the highest consideration, I have, &c.,

ERNEST DICHMAN.
[Inclosure 2 in dispatch No. 93—Translation.]

Mr. Rico to Mr. Dichman.

It has afforded me particular gratification to acquaint the President of the Union with the dispatch of your honor of the 20th instant, in which you were pleased to congratulate the Government of Colombia upon the happy change in the political situation of the republic in the direction of peace, after the recent agitation which threatened to disturb it.

As the faithful interpreter of the sentiments of loyal American feeling of the friendly and republican people which your honor so worthily represents in our country, your honor has known to appreciate the gravity of the situation in which we found ourselves but a few days ago, and the flattering aspect which is presented to-day; considering this as an augury of tranquility and of order and stability for the future.

The president thanks you, in the name of the Colombian people, for the spontaneous friendship with which your honor interested yourself for the tranquility and progress of Colombia, and the manifestations which in that sense your honor has been pleased to make, as well as for the kind wishes of the American Government, which your honor communicated from it, and which that magistrate (the President) esteems as a proof of elevated views and of the most cordial sympathy.

I will thank your honor to be pleased to communicate this testimonial of gratitude at large to your government, aud to accept the assurance of the most distinguished consideration with which I have, &c.,

LUIS CARLOS RICO.