The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-29
INTERNATIONAL LAW.
COrrespOn dence Between Secretary Bayard
and the Colon bian Minister on the
Closure of Certain Ports.

WASHINGTON, April % The following cor
respcndeDce has recently passed between
Secretary BaYard and Senior Becerrs, the
Colombian Minister at Washington, with
reference to q decree of the Colombian Gov
eminent Closing certain OF its ports to for
eign commerce, and Yirtuslly declaring the
vessels of the insurgents now engaged in
hostile preparations against Carthsgens to
he beyond the pale Of international law.
Under date OF April 9 Senior Bscerra writes
10 Secretary Bayard as follows;
81 yesterday had the satisfaction to receive
telegram from the President OF Colombia, dated
AZ the capital city OF the Union that same dag,
whereby that magistrate informs me that the en-
lire Republic Is now pacihed with The exception
o! the ports oil Panama, In the State OF that name,
and those oil the Sabineil0, santa Marta, and Bar
ianquile in the States OF Bolivar and Margdalira.
Active military operations however, were still in
preparation against the rebels who hold those
points in our territory and. with q view TO max.
ing them more efficient, various measures of a
highly important character had been adopted.
Two OF which have the honor, In obedience to
special Instructions 10 bring to the knowledge OF
mis- Government. BY a first decree the Colombian
expressly enforcing pertinent provisions of It's
commercial and revenue laws, declares the ports
OF Ss oinells end santa Marta, In the Caribbean
Is very near to Ssoinela closed to foreign
commerce. All attempts TO import or export
goods through the aforesaid ports after the decree
and trade thus carried ON will be considered con-
Ttband, and the vessels crews, ec., engaged there
in will be liable (besides FORGETTING tie goods 10
the penalties n such cases provided by the Co
lom bian laws. By second decree. the Govern
ment OF Colombia declares that the vessels which
are now stationed at the entrance OF the Bay of
Carthsgena, In The port of that name, instne Car
Tipean Sea, and which are there embarrassing and
even making war upon International commerce
under the flags of various friendly nations and by
mesns of the vessels OF the lines OF regular com
mnnicatton. which have long been established. 40
not belong TO the United States of Go Ombls, aud
that they have no right 10 raise, as they neyerThe
less do raise, the flag of that nation As a couse-
qgence botn their existence and their action.
which are wholly Irregular nut them beYoEd the
paie ol international Jaw, and their pro.
ceedings, which ere hostile 10 the peace
ful operations Of ccmu cree at toe entrance
70 commercial port belonging To q Naifon which
csseS be punished ~ the vessels that are charged
eIce in general, and over the special int Of
the Nations 10 which they respectively belong.
In informing you, Mr. Secretary OF Safe AZ here
by have the honor to do. OF the restoration OF
peace throughout almost the entire territory OF
Co bia, and OF the measures adopted with q
held by the rebels, entertain the hope that this
Information viii be gratifying to you. aud that
the DEGREES in question Will have, in your estima-
ton. the weight necessary TO cause them 10 he
considered as i'm Dortsnt {, American commerce I"
Under date of ApriI %, Secretary Bsysrd
replied to Senior Becerra, recapitulating the
extent OF the latters Communication, and
setting forth the position OF the United
States with reference thereto. % follows:
This Government. following the received tsuets