New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-04-30
fTRAssLATIOk.l

HI<Gfpofrgr0fH5
GENrLkMpS: The undersigned PIenipotentianes Of
New Granada for discussing with the Honorable
Plepipoentiaries of the United States oil me inter.
nntioIa ouestiops connected with the lsthmus oil
Panama have the honor 10 answer the noe' useo ,no
18th inst, which was received az tne once ivt
Foreign Affairs in the afternoon OF the llth ana "hicn
they were pleased TO address 70 them with reference
~ The " Memorandum presented by the undersigned
in the Conference held on the 18th inst, declaring IN
admissible as q basis of discussion Tor the settle
ment Of the questions the four propositions sI 10Y.
in a " Project Of Convention exhibited on the 'th
inst nv the Honorable Me.srs. Morse and Bowhn, TO
the Secretary for Foreign Analrs
Each of them had at the foot explanatory oommen-
taries in which endt avored TO snow tnS' 'ne
two first were convenient and even adNantageous'o
,w-Granada With respect to the third, To prove
the responsibility of the Republic, and to demonstrate
with regard TO the events OF the loth Apfl, uat we
should abide by the proofs obtained by the agents OF
the United States Government, upon the suPposluon
that ON orr part not only had failed TO prosecute
any inquiry but that had thrown obstacles In tue
way of the investigations carried on by said agents
Bui the true explanations of the propositions was 10 De
f,urd in the project of Convention, likewise pre-
septed; and, moreover, the Plenlpotenuares maue,
during the conference they held with the Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, whatever addltlona ooSerVaops
they thought proper without mentioning however, or
offering any other document.
An This was taken into the serious consideration OF
the Executive Government, so t,at 'he answer sHen
eight DAYS aferward by the undersigned, both being
members Of the Administration, IN the Conference oil
the l2,h. with the &" Memorandum OF the same date
cannot in Justice be called preciptae, nor can be
said 10 have been given without at leas nearing tne
.pipotentiaries of the United States.
The undersigned, acting contormably to tner IN
structons declared the propositions made TO be mad
mssbe but they did not close the door on all iurtner
| negotiation. 90 -,
ihey declared that the propositions signlhed the
cesson of the entire territory Of the State OF Panama
inasuluch as that under show of the munclps al
mnistraton of the strip OF land comprising uie rsn
| IN tha
ample privileges placed apparently under certain local
| corporations, the greater part OF these "ouia De
1 formed Of individuals foreign to the country, and
would in fact according to the project OF convenon'
no under the dependency Of the United States Con-
of that Republic for th Si ~ H T. ~ Day VI Pana,
| ma being occupied by the United States, OF
which ale within gun-shOt OF the city, that Deepen
| dency, and tutelage would be effective and con-
slant and Likewise, because the territory OF the State
of Panama being Inaccessible at present and for many
wears TO come TO the OF NevGrsnada, except by
| sea, the foreign power that should gan footing
thereon would in fact, be the preseason and ruling
power Of the same
The cessiOn would be gratuitous and dshonorable.
Pecunary COMPENSATION is rendered purchase
money, amount as yet undetermined IN exchange tor
territorial segDioage and for rights and reserves on
the railroad. Whatever NAV be the promised, and
from which deduction would be made for the 18th of
April the remainder could never represent the value
asgnabe TO the territory of the whole State of Pan
anna, and above all, to the marvellous bridge thrown
could New Granada redeem herself from the infamy
and consequent ruin to which she would condemn her
eelf by selling for money, peopied territories, making
foreigners, against their will, of many Thousands Of
her citizens and opening the door to dominion and
conquest by foreign power.
The cession would be unconstitutional. The con-
stuiion Of the republic designated its territory es
independent OF all foreign dominion declared that cit
zenship could neither be forfeited suspended,
cept penalty, according to the laws and gusran-
teed all citizens direct suffrage in elections which
the Project Of Convention would pretend to limit IN
Panama and Colon to certain propnetors a landed
aud other property.
The Undersigned declared that the plan proposed by
the Plenipoentiares for permanently securing Liberty
OF transit from TO sea- by the lsthmus Of Panama,
does satisfy its legitimate object, and they proved
it, The Government OF the United States wishes to
become owner Of the iner-Oceanc ways; they only
otfer the transit to such nations as may agree to
the neutrality OF the territorial strip Of land, acknowi
edgDg Its municipal Governments and not upon the
footing Of perfect equality. The Government OF New
Granada proposes negotiation that giving TO the
citizens of the United States and 70 their property the
effective protection they desire and the safety which
they say wanting with other reason but the
suspicion consequent on the faults committed BY thcm-
selves, should extend 10 all nations the benefits
and the same advantages leaving sacred the principle
OF territorial ereignty and here il may be added,
iDsuring TO the State OF Panama for it, own proper
administration, the revenue now 40 much wanted,
owing to the extreme hberality of the franchises
granted. This proposal has not been properly appre-
ciated; it implies, and il must be understood the
participation Of other Powers i'll the negotiation.
They also declared that various clauses Of the PRO
Jet Of Convention" in opposition to the contract
made with the Panama Railroad Company. That, for
instance which authorizes the COnsuls of the United
States in certain cases TO establish and collect taxes
upon the Railroad and upon the passengers and prop
city passing by the same; also that clause which
would attribute to the United States full and exclusive
power either BY charter or in any other manner to
provide for the construction Of any other railroad |
within the territorial district Of the existing one.
And they declared finally in the name Of their Gov
eminent, that they consider NewGranads NOT respon.
slble Tor the events at Panama Of the 18th OF APrn
and their amentabe consequences, and cannot con-
sent that the Government Of the United States should
decide the question, the which compartments ioinn
refusal Of the indemnity demanded. The motives Oh
reussl are to be found expressed in few woros N e
" Memorandum" itself, and shall here DC eAIe"oou;
] bis is not pecuniary question but quo''''" "
principle.
Tie capital point is, the anecedents OF tne eysnIS
and their imme origin. The inhabitants OF ran
anna were predsposed against the Ca,oLn .ilngia
ton on account of Its geleraIly oiulaI o Hu
still more predsposed against the new species vi ad-
venurers whose breeding place, whose recruiting sta
ton, whose arsenal Of resouicess whose starting point
and whose poiat dagoEt the United btates, and
who have in proved and brought anew upon the scene
the ancient fibusterism lhls uniatofaoie Predtspo-
poorer class who were frequently the victims
Of the ouuages committed by the passing emf
grants and among great number OF destitute stran-
eers. brought from the West Indies and other
places "a iaborers the railroad, and afterward
Tuned adrft by the Company TO starve. Such pre-
disporton was the natural effect Of experience and
while il existed, nothing was easy or inevitable
than an explosion of popular rage and vengeance
whenever any new excess should provoke il. This IL
what frt The United States Consul at Panama. then
me Minister, Mr.. Bowhn. and the Commissioner, Mr.
CoIwire sDd now the Her- Penpotentaries, have