364


FOREIGN RELATIONS.


at Panama and the insufficient protection of the transit afforded by the
national gov-
ernment. 'This is the second revolution that has occurred this year; and
although
hostilities had ceased at the last advices for the time, it does not bring
with it the
assurance of continuation, as it is thought that the cessation was only caused
by the
want of ammunition, and would be renewed as soon as this want was supplied.
   You will please notice in the correspondence that our trains have been
stopped, the
 lives of our officers threatened, and the business of the road very seriously
interrupted;
 and not only has the property of this company and the lives of its employ6s
been en-
 dangered, but the lives of the passengers and the commerce of the world
passing over
 this inter-oceanic railroad have been seriously imperiled.
   Since the opening of the railroad, in the year 1855, the state of Panama
has been sub-
ject to frequent revolutions, all of which have been attended with more or
less blood-
shed, and with disturbances which have not only seriously affected the commercial
character of the route, but have often endangered the lives of passengers
and property
in transit.
  The security of the isthmus-transit is a subject of great importance to
all commercial
nations; and this company desires respectfully but earnestly to bring this
subject to
the attention of the State Department of the United States, being encouraged
to do so
by the terms of the treaties of 1846 and 1857, under which the neutrality
of the isth-
mus is guaranteed; and the government of the United States of Colombia agrees
(as
we are advised) to maintain a sufficient force of national troops on the
isthmus, with
the view that the transit from one sea to the other may not be interrupted
or embar-
rassed. Please note in the correspondence inclosed that the national troops
maintained
on the isthmus for the protection of the transit joined the state forces
soon after the
commencement of hostilities.
  This company gratefully acknowledges the many instances in which protection
has
been afforded by the Government of the United States; in each successive
case we
have hoped that the disturbing causes would disappear in the progress of
the times. In
this we have been disappointed; the local disturbances have increased in
violence and
frequency. And we do most respectfully urge the importance of such a protection
to
the transit as to place it beyond the possibility of further interruption
or embarrass-
ment by these oft-repeated political disturbances.
      I remain, your obedient servant,
                                                            JOHN KEELER,
                                                                        Secretary


                           [Inclosure 1, in inclosure in No. 15.]
                             Mr. Robinson to Mr. Keeler.
                                           RISING STAR, Aspinwall, October
4, 1873.
  DEAR SIR: I beg to inform you that during the night of September 23 hostilities
commenced between the state government of General Neira and the "Outsiders,"
as they
are called, the latter attacking.
  On the morning of September 24 1 received a telegram from Captain Dow,
as follows:
  "One hundred men from United States steamer Pensacola were landed
at 6 last eve-
ning and quartered at the station. The ball of revolution is fairly opened;
communi-
cation with town interrupted; fighting now going on between the state and
city."
  This announcement was not unexpected. Fortunately for us, we were better
pre-
pared than at any recent period, the Pensacola and Benicia, United States
Navy, being
at Panama, while the Wyoming arrived here during the same night.
  On the morning of the 24th instant Commander Cushing, of the United States
steamer Wyoming, called; and it was during our first interview that the following
telegram came from J. W. Fry, track-master, :Rio Grande station, September
24,12
M.:
  "On my way home from Panama this morning I found a red flag displayed
near the
water-tank, and ascertained on stopping that it was placed to stop the train
from Aspin-
wall. I ordered the flag removed and started again, when two men advanced,
pointed
a revolver and musket at me, and threatened me with death in case I proceeded.
I was per-
mitted to go, on condition I would order the train to stop.",
  I then, after consulting with Commander Cushing, addressed a note to the
prefect of
this place, of which the following is a copy:
  "SIn: Information has been received that the morning train of this
date from here
has been stopped by armed men and the life of an employ6 of this company
has been
threatened. Under these circumstances, I have to ask you to send an armed
force with
each train leaving this terminus for its protection, the first to leave at
1 p. m. to-day.
  "Your immediate reply will oblige your obedient servant,
                                                      "TRACY ROBINSON,
                                                          "Acting Superintendent."