No. 96.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Hurlbut.
Washington, February 20, 1872.
Sir: Your dispatch No. 73, of the 6th ultimo, relative to the case of the steamer Montijo, has been received. The course of that government seems to show a disposition on its part to deny that justice which we have a right to expect. There does not appear to have been any attempt to prosecute the offenders for the piratical seizure of that vessel. Though that act may have been the initiatory step in the insurrection, the seizure was made for the purpose of obtaining an instrument to carry it into effect, and the Colombian government, by ultimately compounding with the felons, may be assumed to have adopted and to have made itself accountable for their acts so far as these may have done injury to the persons and property of citizens of the United States. Reparation must be sought in some direction. * * * * * * *
I am. &c,