No. 200.
Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Fish.
Bogotá, August 14, 1875. (Received September 10.)
Sir: Within the past few weeks the political situation here has assumed a more serious aspect. General Sal gar, one of the “peace commissioners” to the coast States, returned several days since; and although he and his colleagues had concluded a convention with the authorities of Panama and Bolivar, there were very general apprehensions that the troubles had not passed. During this suspense, the election in this State (Cundinamarca) for President and members of the federal Congress took place. This occurred on Sunday, the 1st instant, and passed off without any disturbance, save two or three petty riots, in which four or five persons were killed and as many seriously wounded. A few days later, intelligence reached here of the arrest and imprisonment in Baranquilla of Dr. Nicolas Esquerra by the State authorities of Bolivar. Dr. Esquerra, besides being one of the “peace commissioners,” is a member of the federal cabinet; and at the time of his arrest was in the discharge of his official duties as minister of finance. This was followed by the seizure of such steamers in the Magdalen a as were within reach of the insurgents, the blockade of the river itself, and the suspension of all intercourse between Baranquilla and Honda. We are thus deprived of all mail communication with the coast, and I am consequently under the necessity of transmitting this and accompanying dispatches by special courier. On the 7th instant, President Perez issued a proclamation announcing the facts above recited, declaring the country in a state of insurrection, placing this city under martial law, and ordering an increase of the national force to ten thousand men. Since then the recruiting officers have been active, both here and in Antioque; and a re-enforcement of twelve hundred men has already been dispatched to raise the river blockade. A great many arrests have already been made in Bogotá. Among the most prominent are those of José Maria Samper and Leon Ruiz. Samper was at one time secretary for foreign affairs under a former administration; Ruiz is a journalist, and also an official of the State government of Cundinamarca. These arrests were made late in the evening of the 9th instant, by order of the President. A few minutes thereafter, Governor Salgar, in great agitation and alarm, asked asylum in this legation from the violence of an apprehended mob. His life had been threatened by the populace, should he refuse to demand the immediate release of Ruiz. Being wholly unprepared, as he said, to enforce such a demand, he [Page 438] was not disposed to make it. The situation will be better understood by the Department when it is remembered that there is no federal district in Colombia, Bogotá being the site alike of both State and national governments. Governor Sal gar returned to his residence early next morning, and resumed his official duties wholly unmolested. Ruiz still remains a prisoner, of course. Only a few days previous to this occurrence, Dr. Nuñer, one of the presidential candidates, asked and obtained asylum in the French legation, in order to avoid, as he said, being assassinated. On the evening of the 10th, General Margues, the plenipotentiary from Venezuela, * * * * invited the English minister resident, the French chargé, and myself to meet a number of prominent adherents of both parties at his house. The object of this meeting, as he said, was the discussion of the political situation with a view to compromise and peace. This we courteously but firmly declined, of course. The meeting, however, as I afterward learned, took place, resulting only in the most violent and intemperate discussion. On the 10th instant I received from the Colombian foreign office the note of Señor Rueda, a copy and translation of which is inclosed. My colleagues of the British and French legations each received a similar note at the same time. On the morning of the 11th I sent in my reply, a copy of which is herewith submitted. My colleagues responded to their notes in more or less the same terms. As I am still without advices from the Department relative to the suggestions contained in my No. 105, of the 7th of June last, I do not know what naval vessels, if any, have been ordered to the Atlantic coast of Colombia. It is presumed, however, that both naval and consular officers in that locality are acting under instructions directly from the Department. But, apprehending that possibly my dispatch may have miscarried, I have by this courier instructed the United States consul at Savanilla corresponding to the terms of my note of the 11th instant, addressed to the Colombian government.
I have, &c.,