Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-05-09

which received at the Office for foreign affairs in the
afternoon Of the 18th, and which they pleased
address to them with reference to the memorandum
presented by the undersigned the conference held on
the 18th instant declaring nadmissibe as basis of dis
cusson for the settlement of the question the pro-
positions set forth in project of convention exhibit
ed on the 4th instant by the Hon. Messrs Morse and
Bowlin to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
is in the first place. the bounden duty of the under
signed IN like manner the Penipotentaries of the
United States consider be theirs according to the
tenor of the beginning of their note here demonstrate
the regularity and the justice of the conduct of their
Government well as their in the business matter
of the present correspondence that whatever may
the upshot of the they time be accused of
having Under grave circumstances forgotten what the
legitimate interest of the Republic required of them
not of having endangered from false ideas of honor
preudiced feelings, the valued and important relations
with that great nation which is called to preside over
the destines of both Americas.
On the arrival at Bogota of the honorable Mr.. Morse
there affair whatever pending or under discus
sion with the United States Legation relating the smus
of Panama. The question of postage upon the inter-
been demonstrated that the arguments drawn from the
existing treaty between the two Republics and from the
contract with the railroad company, were perfectly
yalueless had been referred the Granadan Minister
at Washington and it was known that on the 22d of
November he had acquainted the Secretary of State with
having received his Instructions In the question re-
garding the national tax for tonnage chargeabe in the
ports of Panama and Colon serious controversy had
been established and the Executive Government had de-
termined upon proposing to Congress as has already
done the total suppression of that As regards the
events of the 18th of April 1856, the Hon Mr.. Bown
having proceeded to Panama commission of inyesti-
cation behalf of his Government, Immediately after
having sent in to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs his
two notes of general character dated respectively the
23d and Soth of june which Immediately answered
neither the Legation made any further advances in the
affair, the New Granadian Executive considered to
be its duty to anticipate explanations all
remaining suspended in expectation of the orders
which to be transmitted from the United States In
this and in oter be taken that clause of
the note of the Plenipoentares which states that the
resident Minister and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
after heightened discussion had not been able
rive at any satisfactory conclusion.
On the 9th of January the Hon. Mr. Morse presented
his credentials five days previous the meeting of the
Legislative Chambers and the 2Sth he presented
to the Chief of the Executive Government. Far from
Letting an immediate audience, which would not have
been refused to him. he agreed without hesitation and
ociously adding that he of the press of
Congressonl business upon the members of the admins
ration to the indication made him by the Secretary
for Foreign Affairs taking leave of him at the Govern
ment House, that he would invite him for conference
(which took place the 4th the latest for Saturday
the It'll of February. But even had Mr.. Morse or Mr.
Bown availed themselves of any opportunity previous
to the LIST instant the day in which Congress met
which presented itself unofficial visit which previous
to that day the Secretary for Foreign Affairs made the
former and in the course of which they conversed oge
ther for ,ong period without any witnesses (until
British subject, Mr.. William Wills came in also on
visit explain the views and wishes of his Govern
men IS nearly certain that neither in the Presidential
message nor in the general report of the said Secretary
would the questions relating to Panama have been
ed in different manner, but frankly and determinedy
for the following reasons
In the first place, because the Executive Government
acquainted with the Message from the President of
the United States to the Congress the I'd of December
in which, after having given information VIGOROUSLY in
exact upon the tonnage and interoceanc postage ques
TONS and going on to speak of the Panama tragedy of
10th April he says caused full investigation of that
event to be made, and the result shows satisfaco-
riy that complete responsibility for what occurred
taches to the Government of New Granada By these
phrases added to various other passages in the message
which constitute of accusation against our
country proclaimed to the Congress Of the Union and
to the arorld that N Granada responsible for the
sassinations and robberies committed upon citizens Of the
United States the President thereby assuming didea
position regarding the North American claims III APP
peared natural and indispensable to oppose with equal
a s1snaX o S e tho the
ing unjust is therefore not to be wondered that
the presence of the distinguished citizen commissioned
to notify to the Government of New Granada the
tence of its culpabity pronounced in the face of all
tons by of the interested parties and to exact
indemnity and security the Government should also
take up decided position, and theoretically lift up its
voice and declare under the safeguard of sufficient proof
its irresponsibility.
sufficient, but conclusive and unimpeachabe; and the
Executive Magistrate in fulfilling his duty of reporting
the Congress the opening of its sessions the
and state of the affair." felt called upon do with the
fidelity becoming the elevated position in which the Con-
stitution of the Republic has placed him order to
watch over its general interests
The four propositions presented the fourth by the
Plenpotentiaries of the United States literally
follows
1st To erect the cities of Aspinwa COLON two
municipalities independent and neutral govern them
selves with territory miles wide each side the
railroad The perfect freedom guaranteed sovereignty
changed other nations to be invited into the
3D. To transfer to the States the two little clusters of
islands in the bay of Panama in full sovereignty fer naval
stations and all reserved rights and privileges the Panama
railroad charter for ample consideration
3D. To pay the damages occasoned by the late Panama
riot"
4th. The to be paid by the United States"
Each of them had at the foot explanatory commenta-
res in which it endeavored to shoR that the two
first were convenient and advantageous to New
Granada. With respect to the third, to prove the re-
sponsibty of the Republic, and to demonstrate with
gard to the events of the 10Th of April that we should
abide by the proofs obtained by the agents of the United
States Government upon the supposition that our
part not only had failed prosecute any inquiry but
that we had thrown obstacles in the way of the inves
cations carried on by said agents But the true expla
nation of the propositions was be found in the pro-
ect OF convention, likewise presented and moreover
the Penpotentiaries made during the conference they
held with the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whatever
additional observations they thought proper without
mentioning however, offering any other document
al lis vas taken into the serious consideration of
the Executive Gosernment, that the answer given
days asterWaf1 By the undsfsigned both being
With the Msmorandurn * &c same date cannot
IN JusHcs % @ precipitate, nor can ii be said to
have been given Sasut least hearing the Henpoten
tiaries Of the United sn7s. IS
The undersigned acting oose1naby to their insruc-
tions, declared the propositions maso Be nsdmissbe
o1ose door all