No. 198.
Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Bogotá, June 7, 1875.
(Received July 12.)
No. 106.]
Sir: It becomes my painful duty to record a
terrible disaster to life and property on the northern frontiers of
Colombia, resulting from an earthquake on the 18th ultimo, at the hour of
11¼ a.m.
[Page 435]
The scene of disaster was the fertile and beautiful valley of Cucuta,
adjoining the Venezuelan boundary. Although more than three hundred and
fifty miles from Bogotá, the shock was distinctly felt here, creating some
alarm, but resulting in no immediate danger to the capital.
The thriving commercial city of San José de Cúcuta, numbering some twenty
thousand inhabitants, among whom were many foreign residents and merchants,
is said to have been totally destroyed. Probably more than three-fourths of
the entire population perished. Whole families were crushed beneath the
crumbling ruins of their own mansions, without a moment’s warning, leaving
none to tell the sad story of their fate. The time of the disaster being the
usual breakfast hour, there were comparatively few persons in the streets$
hence the almost unparalleled destruction of life.
The loss of property seems to have been even more general. Official
dispatches from that neighborhood to the government here represent all the
buildings, public and private, as being in complete ruins. The disaster was
followed by a shameless demoralization, which doomed the ruined city, so
suddenly and tragically converted into an immense cemetery, to the rapacity
of plunderers who rushed thither in search of spoils.
This state of things continued, it seems, for some days, until a sufficient
military force could be collected and sent from the interior for the
restoration and maintenance of order.
Some eighteen or twenty other towns in the valley of Cucuta, and many
settlements and villages within the Venezuelan line, were likewise
destroyed. But in these, owing to the fact that most of the houses were but
one story high, or mere thatched huts, the loss of life was less
considerable than in San José de Cúcuta.
The scene of this frightful disaster was the great coffee-growing region of
Colombia; and, next to the valley of Bogota, was in all probability the
wealthiest section of the federal union.
Private subscriptions to the amount of nearly $10,000 have already been
raised in this city for the relief of the survivors in the unfortunate
section5 and there is also a proposition before the national Congress, still
in session here, looking to the same end.
After consultation with my colleagues of the other legations here, it was
agreed that each should address a separate note of sympathy and condolence
through the Colombian minister for foreign affairs. I submit herewith copy
of my note on this occasion.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 106.]
Mr. Scruggs to Mr.
Sanchez.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, May 31,
1875.
The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America,
receives with emotions of profound regret and commiseration the sad
intelligence from the district of Cúcuta, confirming the first reports
of the frightful disaster resulting from the earthquake of the 18th
instant.
In communicating this painful intelligence to his Government, which he
shall take the earliest opportunity of doing, as also in giving
expression to his sympathies and condolence with the people of Cúcuta
and vicenity, and with their relatives and friends throughout the
republic, the undersigned becomes the interpreter and exponent of the
feelings and sentiments of his countrymen sojourning in Colombia. He
begs leave, furthermore, to assure his excellency the Hon. Senor
Sanchez, secretary of the interior
[Page 436]
and foreign relations of the United States of
Colombia, that the sad disaster to life and property will be deplored by
the people and the Government of the United States no less on account of
the potential interest there felt for the people and institutions of
Colombia, than in virtue of that common humanity and brotherhood which,
on occasions like this, appeals to the generous sympathies of all
civilized and Christian peoples.
Improving the present occasion for renewing to the Hon. Senor Sanchez his
assurances of high esteem and distinguished consideration, the
undersigned has the honor to remain his exeelleney’s very obedient
servant,
His Excellency the Hon. J. Sanchez,
Secretary of the Interior and Foreign Relations of
the
United States of Colombia, &c., &c.,
&c.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
106.—Translation.]
Mr. Sanchez to Mr.
Scruggs.
United
States of Colombia, Office of Foreign Affairs,
Bogotá, June 2, 1875.
Mr. Minister: In the presence of the national
calamity, originating in the earthquake of the 18th of May last, which
has destroyed one of the most flourishing districts of Colombia, a true
consolation is found in receiving demonstrations of so much good-will as
that which the Hon. William L. Scruggs, minister resident of the United
States of America, has been pleased to make to the undersigned in the
note which he directed to him under date of the 31st ultimo.
The Hon. Mr. Scruggs assures us that the disaster which Colombia now
suffers will be the object of sympathy on the part of the people and
Government of North America, not only on account of the interest there
felt for the people and institutions of Colombia, but likewise by reason
of those sentiments of humanity and fraternity which should unite all
civilized and Christian peoples.
The citizen President of the union, to whom the undersigned made known
the contents of the note of your excellency, could not have desired a
testimonial of greater sympathy on the part of the worthy representative
of the Great Republic in this city; and he has specially charged the
undersigned to make known to your excellency his acknowledgments, and
those of the people of Colombia, for the distinguished proofs of
interest and complacence which they have just received from the Hon. Mr.
Scruggs.
The undersigned, while transmitting to your excellency these sentiments,
has the honor to reiterate once more his respects and consideration.
The Hon. William L. Scruggs,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
&c., &c., &c.
