CHAPTER XXV.

DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

1819-1863.

PANAMA CONGRESS PROVINCIAL ORGANIZATIONS ALZURU S REBELLION

AND EXECUTION SECESSION FROM COLOMBIA AND REINCORPORATION
DIFFERENCES WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS CRIME RAMPANT SUM
MARY TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS RIOTS AND MASSACRE OF FOREIGN
PASSENGERS ATTEMPTS TO ROB TREASURE TRAINS NEUTRALITY
TREATIES ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL SYSTEM PANAMA AS A STATE
REVOLUTIONARY ERA BEGINS A SUCCESSION OF GOVERNORS SEDI
TIOUS CHARACTER OF THE NEGRO POPULATION REVOLUTION AGAINST
GOVERNOR GUARDIA AND HIS DEATH ANOTHER POLITICAL ORGANIZA
TION EHTADO SOBERANO DE PANAMA LIBERAL PARTY IN FULL CON
TROL STRINGENT MEASURES.

OWING to its geographical position, Panama was

selected as the place of meeting of a congress of
American states, called at the suggestion of Bolivar,
the liberator of South America, in 1822, for the pur
it was understood, of devising measures to
pose, as
counteract the menacing plans of the so-called holy
1
alliance of European rnonarchs. The government of
the United States being invited to send representatives
agreed to do so, and did appoint plenipotentiaries, de
clining, however, to bind itself to any course of action,
but to remain a passive witness of the proceedings, so
1
It was supposed that France, now under an absolute king, by the prompt
ing of the alliance, had conceived a vast plan for the conquest of the Spanish
American countries, which till within a few years had been under the catholic
king s domination. Many eminent men in Europe and the U. S. approved the
idea of the American congress, and bestowed high encomiums on its author.
Abbe de Pradt championed it in his work, Conyres de Panama, saying: The
congress of Panama will be one of the greatest events of our times, and
its effects will be felt to the remotest posterity. Pradt, Cong, de Pan. (Sp.
Transl.), 171.
(5101
 PANAMA CONGRESS OF NATIONS. 5J1

long as the executive and congress should be in igno

rance of the real aims and tendencies of that assembly.
Its representatives did not take any part in the delib
2
erations. England, which had recognized the inde
pendence of Colombia in 1824, and Holland, having
been likewise invited to be present by commissioners,
partly complied, but refrained from participating in
3
the work of the congress.
The congress assembled on the 22d of June, 1826,
the only American nations therein represented being
4
Colombia, Central America, Peru, and Mexico. Chile
had reluctantly promised her attendance, but failed
to comply, owing to civil war. Buenos Aires refused
her cooperation. Without waiting for further arrivals,
the commissioners present entered into certain cove
nants, establishing the contingent of land and naval
forces each nation was to contribute to the projected
league and likewise agreeing upon the points to be
;

2
The plenipotentiaries of the U. S. were R. Or. Anderson, then minister to
Bogota, and J. Sergeant. Anderson died at Cartagena while on his journey
to the Isthmus. Sergeant arrived too late, but afterward proceeded to Mex
ico for the purpose of carrying out his instructions. Full particulars on th
course of the U. S. government will be found in A7fe? xxviii. 131-2;
Re<j.,

xxix. index Panama and Congress, subhead Pan.; xxx. index, p. iv..
p. vii., 54-172, passim, 248; xxxi. index Pan., 2G3, 318, 400, 16, 38, 44-7, 65,
129,312-16; xxxii. 214,282, 308; xxxvi. index Pan. , p. iii., 23-80, passim;
Bentons Thirty Years, i. 65-9; Am. St. Pap., For. Rel., v. 834-40, 899-905,
916-20; vi. (new set) 356-65, 383-4, 555; U. 8. Cong. Debates, 1825-6, i. in
dex, p. ii. iii. viii. x. ii., app. p. 43-105; Id., 1828-9, Index, p. i. ; U. S. Gov.
;

Doc., Cong. 19, Sess. 1, H. Doc., 740; Id., H. Ex. Doc. 144, viii.; Id., Cong.
19, Sess. 2, H. Ex. Doc. 23, ii. St. Pap.; Id., Cong. 19, Sess. 2, Sen. Doc.,
i.
p. 9, vol. i.; Id., Cong. 19, Sess. 1, Sen. Jour., 411-70; Id., Cong. 19, Sess.
1, Rept Commit., ii. Doc. 137, app. nos. 36-41; Pan. Mks. Speeches; John
sons Speech on Pan. Miss.; Haynes Speech on Pan. Miss., Mayer s Mex. as it
was, etc., 368; Rev. Amer., 111-25, 542-8; Dem. Rev., i. 489; Youwjs Am.
Statesman, 352-61; Lafond, Voy., i. bk. i. 289-90; N. Am. Rev., xxi. 162-76;
Am. Annual Reg., 1825-6, 79-126; Pub. Doc. 49, 103.
3
Dawkins, the British commissioner, according to Restrepo, Hist. Revol.
Colombia, acted with commendable frankness. He limited himself to impart
ing good advice, assuring the Sp. Am. plenipotentiaries that his government
would assuredly mediate with Spain; meantime they should avoid all cause
of offence to European powers. Col Van Veer, the gentleman from Holland,
held no public capacity; his mission was a private one, confined to the expres
sion of his sovereign s warm wishes for the happiness of the American repub
lics. BidwelVs Isth. Pan., 186-90.
*
Their representatives were: for Colombia, Pedro Gual and Pedro Briceno
Mcndez; for Central America, Pedro Molina and Antonio Larrazabal; for
Peru, Manuel de Vidaurre and Manuel Perez de Tudela; and for Mexico,
Jose Mariano Michelena and Jose Dominguez. Santantjelo, Cony. Pan., 1-166.
r,]2 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

submitted to the acceptance of the several allies.

Some not very practical propositions were agreed to. 5
Bolivar was displeased at the course of affairs, and
disappointed at the failure of a plan which, if realized,
would have been his crown of glory. 6 He thereupon
turned his attention to other objects.
The congress then adjourned to meet again at
Tacubaya in This step was attributed to
Mexico.
the influence of the Mexican plenipotentiary Michel-
ena, who, it has been said, had in view to secure his
7
country s predominance in America. It was also
resolved at the adjournment that the legations should
divide themselves, one member from each going to
report to his government what had been done, and
the others repairing at once to Mexico. The minis
ters of Colombia and Central America, after waiting
two years in vain for the ratification by Mexico of
the treaties, had finally to depart, deeply regretting
the dissolution of a body upon which Spanish America
had centred her hopes, arid the enlightened world had
8
so long fixed its attention.

5
In proof of the assertion, Colombia was to furnish 15,250 men of the
three arms, one liue-ot -battle ship of 70 to 80 guns, one frigate of (54, and two
of 44. Ihese vessels would cost her nearly two and a quarter million dollars,
besides the expense to maintain them armed, manned, and otherwise
thoroughly equipped. Where was Colombia, already burdened with a con
siderable annual deh cit, to get the means for supporting such an army and
navy ?
Onthe 8th of Aug., 1826, he wrote to Gen. Paez from Lima: ine con
gress of Panama, an admirable institution were it more efficacious, resembles
the Greek lunatic that wanted to direct from a rock the sailing of ships. Its
power will be but a shadow, and its decrees mere counsels. Caicedo, Union
Lai. Am., 33^40, 97-110.
7
There were doubtless other reasons, such as the agitations menacing
Colombia, fear of an invasion by France in the name of the holy alliance; or
the bad climate and lack of facilities in Panama. Alex., El Sol, no. 1203;
Gnat., Redaitor Gen., suppl. to no. 27; Marurc, Bow/. Hi#t. Cod. Am., i. 138-9.
8
The enemies of Bolivar accused him of aiming, through an American
league, at the control of all Spanish America to make himself its ruler. The
following authorities have also treated more or less fully of the Panama con-
areas: Mora, Rcvol. Mej., i. 354-8; La Palanca, Sept. 14, Oct. 20, 1820;
Zavala, Rcvol. Alex., i. 389-90; Cuevas, Porvenir, 387-497; Alex., Man. Rel,
1827, Doc. 2, 11-13; Bustamante, Voz de la Patria, ii. no. 15, 2-3; Anwjo del
I ueMo, ii. no. 5, 132-3; iii. 395-419; iv. 223-4; Cor. Fed. Mex,, Nov. 28,
182G; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, ii. 395-6; Tornel, Breve Resefia, 48-50; GHZ. Mex.
Extraord., 1820, i. no. 5; Alex., Gac. de Gob., July 4-Sept. 21, 1820, passim;
Tucket- a Monroe Doctrine, 23-30.
 PANAMA AND VERAGUA. 5J3

A
congress held in Angostura, in December 1819,
9

under the presidency of Simon Bolivar, constituted

the republic of Colombia, with the former viceroyalty
of Xueva Granada, including Ecuador, and the cap-
tain-generalcy of Caracas or Venezuela. One of its
departments was the Isthmus divided into two prov
inces, namely, Panama, which embraced the region of
10
Darien, and Veragua.
The secession of Venezuela after some years having
brought on the disruption of Colombia, a convention
assembled at Bogota 11 in 1831 organized the Estado
de la Nueva Granada with the central provinces, those
of the Isthmus forming a section of the new organiza
The new state was divided into provinces, under
1 "

tion.

governors who received their appointments from the

general government.
13
The decree was dated Novem
ber 21, 1831. The new constitution, sanctioned by
the convention on the 29th of February, 1832, was
14
published in Panama on the 28th of April. Each
15
province was subdivided into departments.
9
The capital of Spanish Guiana, near the Orinoco and Old Guiana.
lu
Among the governors of Veragua were, in Jan. 1823, Jose M. Chiari;
in June 1823, Miguel A. Figueredo; in 1824-5, Pedro Guillen; and in 1828,
Fabrega, Gov. of Panama, 1826, J. J. Argote. Iiitendente and coman-
(
I .

dante general of the departm. of the Isthmus in 1827, Col Man. Muiiox; in
1828, J. Sarda. Veraguas, Gob., in Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., M.S., no. 29,
<;uiie

34; Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., MS., no. 2, 80, et seq.

11
Jose Vallarino of Panama was one of its members, and soon after was
made vice-president, and a little later councillor of state. A popular man in
his suction, he was at one time
thought of for a senatorship, and at another
tor the presidency of the republic. In 1816 he had been the royal treasurer,
a office conferred on him as a reward of his own past services, as well as or
i

thoo3 of his father, Bernardo, and his uncle, Bruno, who had been a member
of the council of the Indies. At the separation from the mother country lie
joined the independent movement, afterward holding several honorable po
sitions. His descendants live on the Isthmus. Id., no. 1, 1-8.
1J
Since 1SC9 Nueva Granada had been divided into departments with a
prefect at the head of each. The prefect of Panama was J. Sarda. His rule
was despotic, involving the abuse of prominent citizens, and levying a forced
l.u:i for pretended defence of the Isthmus.
Sarda, J., Dccreto, May 25, 1829.
llj was executed at
( Bogota in 1833 under sentence of the law for a plot to
murvler the president. Necrolojia, in El Constttucional del Ixtino.
1J
Their functions were those of the former prefect. Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc.,
MS., no. 62.
"The constitution of
1830, of the old republic, had been in force till now.
tiwixh, J. J/., Dccrcto, in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Mincell. Pap., no. 14; El Comti-
ddht.no, Jan. 14, 28; Apr. 21, May 7, 14, 28, 1832; Vcranuas, Rccop.
ttidf>n<il

<

h-iloianzas. 20.
The following authorities appear in official documents: Province of
HIST. CENT. AM., VOL. III. 3
514 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

Civil war broke out

in 1831. Colonel Alzuru,
who had arrived from Guayaquil with troops, by the
instigation of some prominent men, rose in arms in
Panama to detach the provinces from Nueva Granada.
On the news reaching Bogota, the national govern
ment despatched Colonel Tomas Herrera with a force
to quell the rebellion; and upon his approaching the
city, the more prominent families fled to the island of
Tabogd. Those who had prompted Alzuru s act now
forsook him, and rendered aid to Herrera, with all the
information they possessed. The rebels were attacked
on their way to La Chorrera, while crossing marshy
ground, and defeated. Alzuru was taken prisoner,
tried by court-martial, and shot in the cathedral plaza
of Panamd.
General Jose Fabrega restored order in Veragua,
and made it known to the general government on the
30th of August. 16 The garrison at Panama, together
with Tomds Herrera, the comandante general, assured
the president of the Nueva Granada convention of
17
theirunswerving fealty. Later, in March 1832, an
18
attempt was made by two subalterns to induce the
sergeants of their battalion to join them in a conspir
acy for upsetting the government. The two officers
were tried and executed, and two of the sergeants
sent into exile. Chaos reigned throughout the re
public in 1840 then came revolution.
;
The chief men
of Panamd met in a junta and resolved to detach the
Isthmus and form an independent republic. Carlos
Icaza, the governor, who was a Panameno, signified
his acquiescence, and the proclamation of indepen-
Panama, 1832-3, Gov. Juan Jose Argote; in 1834, acting gov., M. A. Hur-
tado; in 1836-8, Gov. Pedro Obarrio. Prov. of Veragua, in 1874, Gov. M. J.
Guisado; in 1835-7, Gov. Manuel de Ayala. In 1836 Veragua had a provin
cial legislature. Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., MS., 110. 25, no. 31, p. 4, 12, 18, 38,
40, 75, 91; nos. 59, 65, 78, 104; El Constitutional del Istrno, May 7, 14, 1832;
Oct. 30, 1824; Aug. 30, 1836; Reyistro Ofic., N. Gran., 8; Verayuas, Esposic.,
in Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., MS., no. 76.
1(i
For which he was awarded thanks. El Constitutional del Istmo, Dec. 28,
1831.
17
Dec. 3, 1831. Id., Dec. 21, 1831.
18
Lieut Melchor Duran, and Brevet Sub-lieutenant F. Casana of the
battalion No. 9. Id., March 14, 1832.
 REPUBLIC OF PANAMA. 515

dence was made, Tomas Herrera assuming by appoint

ment of the junta the office of jefe superior, on the
18th of November, 1840.
19
On the 21st the governor
of Veragua, Cdrlos Fdbrega, was asked to join the
movement; but he answered from Santiago on the
29th declining; 20 whereupon Herrera issued addresses,
on the 5th and llth of December, announcing his
march with troops to Veragua. 21 The expedition,
however, marched only a part of the distance, the
people of Veragua submitting to the force of neces
sity. The independence existed de facto nearly two
years. In 1841 Tomds Herrera and Cdrlos de Icaza
were chosen president and vice-president, respectively,
of the ephemeral republic. Mariano Arosemena, sec
retary of foreign affairs, despatched Pedro de O barrio
as a special commissioner to the government of Costa
Rica to notify it of the organization of the state of
the Isthmus, and apply for its formal recognition. 22
During this period of independence, persons and prop
erty were protected, and commerce was liberally
23
encouraged.
The government had carefully avoided the commis
sion of any act of hostility against Nueva Granada;
but the time caine when news reached Panama that
the government of Bogota was fitting out a force to
bring the Isthmus into subiection. Whereupon the
19
During the past nine years thf I^thmua seems to have enjoyed compara
tive quiet. In Sept. 1833, the provincial legislature chose Agustin Talla-
ferro deputy to the national congress, and Juan de la Cruz Perez his
suplente. Id., Sept. 15, 1833.
20
He accompanied resolutions of the officials, heads of families, and other
citizens of Santiago to remain under the national authority, and lend no aid
to any attempt to sever the connection or promote public disturbance. El
Constitutional de Cundinamarca, March 27, 1842.
21
He said: Marchare hasta donde sea necesario para arreglarnos con
Veraguas definitivameiite. Though hoping that for the common interest,
the voice of peace will be heeded, la fuerza alcanzara lo que se le ha negado
a la f raternidad y a los principios. Gaceta del Istmo, Sept. 15, 1840, in Pinart,
Pan. Coll. Doc., no. 3; Herrera, Decreto, in Pinart, Miacell. Pap., no. 13.
22
Costa Rica recognized the independence of the Isthmus, and entered
with Obarrio into a convention of amity and trade. The boundary question
was left open for future settlement. Gaceta del Istmo, Oct. 20, 1841; Costa 7?.,
Col. Ley., vii. 234-6.
23
This was acknowledged on the 16th of October, 1841, by F. W. Byrne,
acting Brit, consul, in a note to Sec. Arosemena.
 516 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

officers of the British charge d affaires at Bogota were

asked to obtain the consent of Nueva Granada to re
24
ceive a commissioner in the interest of peace. But
the other parts of Nueva Granada having become
pacified in the course of 1841, two commissioners came
from the general government, and the people of
Panama, being convinced of the folly of resistance,
25
peacefully submitted. Herrera so managed that he
was appointed governor of the restored province. 26
The constitutional reforms of 1842 and 1843 tended
to reestablish good understanding between the prov
inces, and Panama again appeared satisfied witli the
2
connection.
The Canton de Alange, detached from Veragua,
and the districts of David, Dolega. San Pablo, and
Alange, were on the 24th of July, 1849, formed into
a,
separate province under the name of Provincia de
21
Meantime .lose Agustin Arango, sec. of war, had been engaged in regu
lating the national guard. ///., Sept. JO, 1841.
understood that the commissioners were not even clothed with suf
*
It is
ficient powers; but the chief men surrendered the Isthmus to them. The
men of the revolution, .lose Obaldia, Pedro de Obarrio, Mariano Arosemena,
Carlos de Tca/.;i, Jose Agustin Arango, and others, now left Herrera to the
consequences.
a(i
(J-en. Herrera fell in battle, not in the state of Panama, on the 4th of

Dec., 1354, in defence of liberal institutions. The legislature of Pan., Sept.

22, 1855, decreed that several of his portraits should be placed inofficial halls,
lii Oct. 1857 it appropriated $8,000 to bring his remains to Panama; in May
IStkS a monument was decreed. A statue of the general was placed in the
cathedral plaza of the city of Panama. Pan., Gaceta del Est. Sept. 29, 1855; ,

Oct. 15, 1857: Pan., Boktln O//V., Jan. 8, May 12, 1808.
/>/.,

27
(len. Tomas C. Mosquera, commander-in-chief of the forces on the coast,
Aug. 1, 1842, at Panama, granted in the name of his government an amnesty
to the revolutionists. Again, March 15, 1845, congress passed a general am
nesty law, including all persons who participated in the rebellion from 1839
to 1842. Pinart, Pan. Col. MS., no. 31, 183-5; N. Gran., Let/, y Dec.,
Do<\,

J-2; SwnaHn * Hint, hilt. in Pun. Star and Herald, May 14, 18158. The
P<tn.,

rulers of the provinces of Panama and Veragua in the following years are
given in continuation: Gov. of Panama in 1843, Miguel Chiari; in 1844-5, Col
Anselmo Pineda; in 1845, Joaquin M. Barriga, with Jose Agustin Arango as
government secretary. Intendente gen. de hacienda in 1848, Mariano Arose-
i.iena. (lov. of Veragua in 1840-2, Carlos Fabrega; acting-gov. in 1843, Jose
Fabrega Barrera; in 1843-5, Antonio del Rio; in 1845-9, Escolastico Romero;
iii June 1849, Diego Garcia; in Aug. 1849, Ricardo de la Parra; in 1850-2,
J. Fabrega Barrera; in 1852, Francisco de Fabrega; in Oct. 1853, Eustasio

Fabrega; in 1855, Agustin Lopez; May 15, 1855, Francisco Fabrega. Ap

pointed gov. Aug. 1855, Agustin Lopez. Ptnart, Pan. Col. Docs., MS., nos. 17,
21, 31, 53, 57-8, 68-75, 79, 105; El Mmimicnto, Dec. 29, 1844; rerayiuix, Re-
cop. Onlenanzas, 2-GG; Pan., Gaceta del Est., Aug. 28, 1855; N. Gran., Le>/. >;

D^., 1-3.
 PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI. 517

Chiriqiri, with its governor and assembly of seven

members. 28 This organization continued several years,
though the province subsequently took the name of
Fabrega, and so continued until August 1851, when
29
it resumed the former name of Chiriqui. The terri
tory which in early days was embraced in the province
of Veragua appeared in August 1851 divided into
three provinces, each having a governor and legisla
30
ture; namely, Chiriqui, Veragua, and Azuero. This
new arrangement lasted only till April 30, 1855, when
31
the province of Azuero was suppressed.
The district, or as it was called, Canton de Boca.s
del Toro, was organized by decree of the government
of Chiriqui or Fabrega, with a jefe politico at its head.
But a law of the republic 32 formed into a canton or
district the territories of San Andres, Darien, and San
Martin. Another law of April 12, 1851, applied the
former one to Bocas del Toro. 33

Owing to grievances complained of by foreigners

28
Aug. 1, 1849, the electoral junta chose one proprietary senator, Antonio
Villeros, and his supleiite, Nicolas Lopez; one deputy, Domingo Arosemena.
and his substitute, Gabriel Diez, to the national congress; seven deputies and
an equal number of suplentes, to constitute the provincial legislature. The
legislature met Sept. loth, and closed the session on the 24th of
first local
Oct. From this time the new province had the following goveraors, namely :

July 24 to Dec. 20, 1849, Pablo Arosemena; Dec. 20, 1849, acting gov. Juan
Man. Gallegos; June 1850, P. Arosemena again in office till Aug. 1851, when
Rafael Nunez succeeded ad int.; Sept. 1851 to 1852, Francisco Esquivel;
Sept. 1852, Escolastico Romero; 1854, Santiago Agnew; Aug. 1855, Domingo
Obaldia, against whom complaints were made of abuses of power. Pinnrt,
Pan. Coll Doc., MS., 2-11, 31, 40-8, 83-93; U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 30, Sess.
2, House Ex. Doc., vi. 41, p. 59; Pan., Gaceta del E*t., Dec. 1, 1855.
29
The first official doc. I have found with the name of Fabrega in a decree
of the gov. of July 25, 1850. Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., MS., no. 89, p. 59-00.
30
Chiriqui s capital, David; Veragua s, Santiago; Azuero s, Villa de los
Santos. The first gov. of Azuero, receiving like the rest his appointment
from the gen. government, was Juan Arosemena, in 1851. Antonio Baraya
became gov. in April 1852. Gobn. Prov. Azuero, in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., MS.,
no. 43.
31
Annexed to Veragua. Sac. Daily Union, May 18, 1855; Veraguas, Ord.
y ResoL, in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., no. 0; Pan., Gaceta del E*t., Sept. 15,
1855.
32
Dated June 22, 1850. Chiriqui, Ojic de la Gobn., in Pinart, Pan. Coll.
Doc., MS., no. 84; C/iiriqui, Decretos, in Id., MS., no. 89; C/driqui, Inf. Gen.
del Canton, in Id., MS., no. 41.
33
The local authorities were paid out of the national treasury. Chiriqui
could not tax the inhabitants.
518 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT

against acts of the officials on the Isthmus,

the rela
tions of the national government with foreign powers
have been at times complicated. The first difficulty
arose from the arrest in 1836 of Russell, the British
vice-consul, and led to the blockade of the whole
Atlantic coast of the republic, which finally com
pelled Nueva Granada to submit to such terms as
34
the British commander chose to impose. Another
trouble with the British government resulted from a
certain claim of one Mackintosh, which for a time in
35
terrupted diplomatic relations in 1856.
On the 2Gth of January, 1854, the consuls of the
United States, France, Great Britain, Brazil, Portu
gal, Denmark, Peru, and Ecuador addressed
a protest
to the governor of Panamd against the neglect of his
government to afford protection to passengers cross
ing the Isthmus, notwithstanding that each passenger
was made to pay the sum of two dollars for the privi
36
lege of landing and going from one sea to the other.
Governor Urrutia Anino, on the 14th of February,
denied the alleged neglect, as well as the right of
those officials who had no recognition from the New
Granadaii government to address him in such a man
ner. He pointed to the public jail, which was full of
prisoners,some already undergoing punishment, and
O trial. He also reminded
O tried or awaiting"
others being 1

the consuls that only a short time had elapsed since

37
three men were executed for crimes. It was a fact.
34
The vice-consul s release; restoration with all respect and publicity to
the consulate of its archives and other effects, together with satisfaction to
the British government, and a compensation of 1,000 to Russell. Pena y
Pena, Prdctica Forense, iii. 375-94; Scarlett s S. Am., ii. 257-9; Mensaje,
Prcsid. N. Gran., 1837.
35
British war vessels made a demonstration at Panama the following year.
S. F. Alta Cal, Dec. 1, 1856; S. F. Even, Bulletin, Jan. 2, May 10, 1857.
They said it was notorious that 110 passenger arrived at either end of the
3ti

route without being abused, robbed, or otherwise maltreated; many had been
woiinded, and not a few murdered; hardly a party passed without their bag
gage being plundered; women were insulted, and even outraged. No effort
had been made by the authorities to ferret out the perpetrators of such
crimes. Pan., La Cronica Ofic., March 1, 1854.
37
The governor did not fail to mention thatin several instances his troops
had done valuable service in protecting treasure and recovering stolen prop
erty, without claiming or receiving pay.
 RAN RUNNELS ISTHMUS GUARD 519

nevertheless, that the government could not cope with

the situation the Isthmus being infested with crimi
nals from all parts of the earth, that had been drawn
thereto by the prospect of plunder in view of which
a number of citizens and respectable foreigners com
bined in organizing the Isthmus guard, whose chief
was Ran Runnels, charged with the duty of guard
ing the route between Panama and Colon, and em
powered even with death all persons guilty
to punish
of crimes. Urrutia Anino, the governor, unhesitat
38
ingly acquiesced in the arrangement.
Americans had occasional misunderstandings with
the authorities, a notable one occurring in 1855, when
the local governor of Panama returned unopened an
official letter from the consul of the United States,
who at once threatened to strike his flag; but the
matter was settled amicably by the chief officers of
the Isthmus.
39
A
more serious affair was the demand
of the state government that steamships arriving at
Panama or Colon should pay tonnage money. 40 This
raised the protest of the American consul and the
railway and steamship agents. The controversy was
finally terminated by the executive of the republic de
claring that the law under which the tonnage money
was claimed had been enacted by the state of Panama,
without any right to legislate on such matters, as they
were of the exclusive province of the general govern
ment. 41
38
Runnels acted with characteristic energy. Without scandal or noise,
lie captured one by one the banditti that infested the roads, and out of sight
and without witnesses, other than his own men, had the criminals hanged
and buried. Those of this class that did not fall into the hands of the Isthmus
guard made haste to leave the country, which soon was cleared of foreign
evil-doers. This object being accomplished, the guard was dissolved, its val
uable services being fully appreciated. The governor had no authority for
his action, but no fault was found with him. The measure had been one of
absolute necessity; redentora. Maldonado, Asuntos Polit. Pan., 9.
fue" Run
nels in after years lived in Nicaragua, and died of consumption in Rivas, July
7, 1882, aged 52. Pan. Star and Herald, July 22, 1882.
39
Jefe Superior Justo Arosemena wrote Consul Ward a courteous letter of
explanation on the 29th of Sept. Pan., ftaceta del Est., Oct. 3, 1855.
40
Ships and passengers had been paying a moderate sum, and when, the
official s greed was aroused to levy a burdensome tax, formal objection to it
was made.
41
It added that the policy of demanding such a tax would be detrimental
520 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

The lack of proper protection, as well as a marked

spirit of hostility on the part of the lower class tow
ard foreigners, 42 was made further evident in the
riot of the fifteenth of April, 1856, when a considerable
number of American passengers were killed, and others
43
wounded, much property being also appropriated.
to the interests of the Isthmus. The whole correspondence appears in Pan.
Crdn. Ofic., March 10, Apr. 10, May 23, 1854; Pan,, Gaceta dd EL, Nov. 3,
19, 18, 1855; Id., Dec. 11, 1850; S. F. Alta, Sept. 20, 1850; Snc. Union. Sept.
22, 185G; S. F. Bulletin, 30, 1850; Minister Herraii to Sec. Marcy, Dec.
Sc>pt.

8, 1856, in Pan.. G arctu dd Est., March 28, 1857.

42
It must be confessed that the impression caused by the influx of foreign
ers, parading the streets, many of them armed with bowie-knives and revolv
ers, often incited by intoxication and gambling to acts of lawlessness, was not
a favorable one. They often appeared to the natives as lawless invaders.
The laws were not framed for the emergency, and the authorities were power
less to stop the scandals occurring every day in the streets. Robberies and
other crimes among the foreigners themselves were common. Oambliiig-
houses, in violation of law, were publicly kept, exhibiting strange signs, such
as Card Room, Owls Club, etc. Once a crowd of Americans fell upon the
small guard of the jail, disarmed it, and set free some of their countrymen.
Maldonado, Axtinto* Polit. Pan., MS., 2, 5-0. A writer relates that lie saw
ruffians in 1850 throw filth on religious processions. Once an American
rode a imue into the cathedral, and tried to make it drink from the baptismal
font, fortunately Theller, an American resident, interfered. Often the
dirty red-shirted fellows would stride into the chapels and light their cigars
at the altar. Chronidc, May 20, 1850.
C<d.

4:5
The trouble originated in the act of a drunken man named Jack Oliver,
who sei/ed a slice of watermelon from a fruit stall, and refused to pay for it.
Simultaneously and without preconcertion, tights occurred between parties of
passengers and the colored population in various parts of the town. The city
was soon in commotion. Residents retired to their homes and barred them
selves in. The lights lasted about three hours, when the foreigners were
driven into the depot. The negroes, who had formerly been humble and
submissive to the whites, remembered on that day the abusive treatment
often received by them at the hands of transient foreigners; but did not confine
their expressions of hatred to foreigners only, for they transversed the streets
crying, Mueran los blancos They were now ungovernable. They rushed
!

to the Panama depot at a moment when from 250 to 300 passengers of both
sexes and all ages, landed at Colon from the steamship Illinois, were procuring
their tickets for San Francisco and began firing at the building, hitting one
man. The doors were then closed, and some of the passengers armed them
selves. It has been stated by eye-witnesses that some of the armed passengers
went out and discharged their arms at the black mob before any shot had
been fired at the buil ling; but the weight of testimony is against this asser
tion. U. S. Consul Ward came on horseback, saying that the government at
las rerpiest would soon send a force to quell the disturbance. The force did
come, but instead of affording protection to the passengers huddled in the
depot, fired a volley of musketry in their midst, and followed it by others, be
sides stray shots. The only reasons assigned for this conduct of the force
were that it sympathized with the mob, or was awed by it. The latter was
the real cause. The active firing from the outside continued about one and a
half hours even after it had ceased from the inside. The mob for a time
did not succeed in entering the building, but finally broke into the baggage-
room, killing arid wounding several persons. Fortunately, the rabble was
bent more on plunder than slaughter. It is said that even the wounded had
their boots pulled from their feet and carried away. Many robberies had
 PANAMA RIOT. 521

As might have been expected, exaggerated accounts

of this affray flew far and wide. The official report,
however, showed smaller though had enoughfigures,
of foreigners, 15 slain and 1G wounded, of whom
one died afterward; of natives, 2 killed and 13
wounded. The conduct of the police and people was
certainly most blamable. The affair might, perhaps,
have been averted if the authorities had shown proper
energy. I will admit, however, that there was cause
44
of provocation.
Consequent on this affair, the city of Panama,
which, owing to the inisgovernment of previous years,
was already on the decline, had to suffer still more.
Many business houses closed their doors, because the
American transient passengers, who during their stay
were wont to scatter gold, thenceforth remained on
shore only a few minutes. Much diplomatic corre 45

spondence passed between the American and New

Granadan governments on the subject, the former send
ing a commissioner to Panama to investigate the cir
46
cumstances, and finally claiming a large indemnity.
also been committed by the negroes in the city, principally in shops ami bar
rooms. S. F. Bulletin, May 1-3, 17, Aug. 30, Oct. 14, Dec. 17, 1850; Cal.
Chronicle, May 20, 1856; Sac. Union, May 5, 13, 1850; S. F. Alta, May2, 3,
18, 185(5.
*4
Totten, chief engineer of the railroad, and Ward, in their protest* held.
Fabrega s government responsible, and claimed damages. They also de
manded protection for the passengers and treasure then expected from Cali
fornia on the Golden Gats. Fabrega, upon the latter point, gave the required
assurances, recommending that the railroad officials should also adopt pre
cautionary measures. In his report to the supreme government on the 22d
of April, 1850, he denied the charges preferred
against him by Totten and"
Ward, declaring that the whole affair had been sudden and unpremeditated;
and he, as well as the gens d armes had the best intentions to protect the pas
sengers, and the firing upon them had been unauthorized, though resulting
from the fact that the passengers had continued shooting. He kept to him
self, however, that fear for the lives of himself and the few other white peo
ple of the city, which were in great peril from the infuriated blacks, had
deterred him from attacking the mob. The latter was calmed and dispersed
only through the good offices, called for by Fabrcga, of the influential men
among the negro population. Pan., Gaceta del E*t., Apr. 26, May 3, 10, 27,
1 856.
40
On
their landing at Colon, the other steamship was ready at Panama to
receive them and put
off as soon as they were on board. They traversed the
Isthmus without scarcely setting foot on the soil. Maldo-iado, Aftuntos Polit.
Pan., MS., 11-12.
40
Corwim s Rep. and Coll. of Evidence, 1-69; U S. Govt Doc., Cong. 34,
Sess. 1, vol. xi., H. Ex. Doc., no. 103, 154-70.
522 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

At last a convention was concluded on the 10th of

September, 1857, between Secretary Cass, and Gen,
era!P. A. Herran, minister of New Granada, for the
settlement of all claims, the latter having acknowl
edged the responsibility of his government47
for the

injuries and damages caused by the riot.

The relations with Americans on the Isthmus con
tinued to be unsatisfactory for some time longer.
Notwithstanding that New Granada was apparently
inclined to cordiality, cases of injustice or ill treatment
to American citizens often occurring, at last the presi
dent of the United States asked congress, on the 18th
of February, 1859, for power to protect Americans on
the Isthmus. 48 In later years Americans have seldom
had any serious cause of complaint.
The question
of neutrality of the Isthmus has occa
sionally been on the tapis. A
case in point occurred
in 1864, during the sectional war in the United States,
when a number of southern confederates went on
board the American steamer Salvador at Panama,
with the purpose of seizing her at sea, and turning
her as she had guns on board into a confederate
cruiser, to be used in capturing the first treasure
steamer from California. The men engaged in the
enterprise were themselves arrested at sea on the
Salvador^ by an American war vessel. The admiral,
Pearson, asked the government of Panamii for per-

47
It stipulated a board of arbitration composed of commissioners of both
governments to award upon claims presented prior to Sept. 1, 1859. The total
amount of awards N. Granada would pay in equal semiannual instalments, the
first, six months after the termination of the commission; and the whole pay
ment to be completed within eight years; each of the sums bearing interest at
per cent per annum. To secure said payments, N. G. govt appropriated
one half of the compensation accuring to her from the Panama railroad com
pany; if such fund should prove insufficient, it was then to provide for the
deficit from its other sources of revenue. U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 36, Sess. 2,
Sen. jSliscell., no. 13, 1-7. After the riot the federal government en
deavored to have a force on the Isthmus to protect foreign interests, which
it should have done before. Maldonado, Aswitos Polit. Pan., MS., 10-11.
48
U. S. Govt Doc,, Cong. 35, Sess. 2, H. Ex. Dec., no. 2, 21, 22, vol. ii.
j>t

L; /(/., Id., Sen. Doc., no. 33, x. 1-3.

49
Thomas Savage, U. S. acting consul-general at Habana, had sent timely
notice of their plans. They were taken with arms, munitions of war, and
written proof of their intent.
 ISTHMUS ROBBERIES. 523

mission to send the prisoners overland to Colon, where

they might be embarked for New York. The request
was refused; 50 in consequence of which the prisoners
were sent to San Francisco. 51
At the commencement of the French intervention
in Mexico, the legislature of Panama asked the gen
eral government of Colombia to allow no French

troops to pass over the Isthmus. The United States

government was not called upon to aid this policy.
In the autumn of 1864 a body of French marines
arrived at Colon to cross to the Pacific arid replace
invalids of the fleet on the Mexican coast. The presi
dent of Panama refused them a pass, and asked the
railroad company not to transport them. The French
officers argued that American and English troops had
on several occasions been allowed to cross. It so
happened that at this time some American soldiers
arrived and crossed over to the Pacific under a permit
previously granted by the former president of the
state. The French then
alleging the so-called most-
i

52
favored-nation clause also crossed over.
With other nations occasional misunderstandings
have taken place, but in no instance did they lead to
53
serious complications. Minor riots, attended with
more or less killing and wounding of foreigners, had
occurred in 1850 and in 1851, both on the Atlantic
54
and Pacific sides. The gold-dust train from Cali-
&0
Calancha, president of Panama, pleaded that he had no authority to
allow it; the national constitution reserving to the general government of
Colombia the control of the foreign relations. Bidwelfs Pan. lath., 207-11.
51
They were sentenced by court-martial, their chief to death, and the
others to imprisonment at hard labor; the sentence of the first was commuted,
and all were released at or before the termination of the war. Hoyy ct al. v.
U. S., 1-22; ti. F. Call, Nov. 20, 1804; May 25-31, June 0-8, July ti, lO, 1805;
S. F. Bulletin, Nov. 28, 29, Dec. 7, 1804; May 22, 1805.
u-
This affair took place about one month prior to that of the prisoners
arrested on the Salvador. BidivdCs Pan. Ittth. 206.
M Questions of ,

neutrality with Spain during the Cuban revolution in

1871-2; and in 1880, at the time of the war of Chile against "Peru and Bolivia,
oa the subject of contraband of war passing through for the uses of either
belligerent. Gaceta de Pan., Sept. 21, 1871; Apr. 12, 1872; July 4, 15, Sept,
2, 10, Nov. 7, 1880.
il
Pan. Star, March 29, 1850; Polynesian, vii. 42, 50; Holinskte, La Call-
fornie, S3; S. F. Alta, Mar. 22, Apr. 3, 1851; S. F. New*, Apr. 3, 1851. The
most serious one was on the 22 d and 23d of Oct., 1851, at Chagres, among
524 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

forma was thrice assailed by robbers, while crossing

from sea to sea, without success. The last attempt
was in September 1851, by Americans, several of
whom were captured. 55
Whilst the Isthmus was under the direct rule of the
national government, peace and quiet reigned. The
few political commotions that occurred at long inter
vals had no effect detrimental to public morals, nor to
the obedience paid by the people to the authorities.
It is a fact that when, upon the discovery of the gold
placers in California, the large influx of foreigners first
arrived, they were surprised at the extraordinary
prestige the authorities enjoyed, and at the blind
obedience paid to their mandates. 56 Bayonets were
not necessary to enforce order. This was owing to
the harmony then existing between the government
and the clergy. 57 And throughout the land for sixteen
years from 1840, peace prevailed, save certain dis
turbances in the provinces of Azuero and Veragua in
68
July 1854.
boatmen and passengers, in which several lives were lost, and the town was
much damaged. Pan. Star, Oct. 28, 1851; S. F. Alta, Nov. 18, 20, 1851;
. F. Dttilt/ Herald, Nov. 18, 1851. The official report of the jefe politico on
the 3d of Nov. said there were two or three killed and a number wounded.
Bogota, Gaceta Ojic., Dec. 3, 1851. The vigilants of the Isthmus had a thief
well Hogged at Chagrea in. 1851. S. F. Courier, Jan. 21, 1851. Another case
of lynch law occurred on the island of Taboga in 1855. The carpenter of
the American steamship company was one morning dragged out of bed and
murdered. As there was no police on the island, the employes of the com
pany captured the murderers, one of whom made full confession, and their
captors without more ado hanged them. The state authorities took no notice
of the matter, other than issuing, some time after, a full pardon to the exe
cutioners. BidwelCe lath, of Pan., 216; Pan., Gaceta del Ext., Sept. 29, 1855.
55
This occurred on the Cruces route. The escort was tired upon, two
arrieros were mortally wounded. The banditti endeavored to run off one of
the laden mules, but were prevented by the escort and passengers. Holinxki,
La Califormc, 83-4; S. F. Alta, Oct. 18, 1851; S. F. Daily Herald, Oct. 18,
1851.
00
A
mere alcalde met with no difficulty whatever to have his orders carried
out.
Judges and alcaldes were not only civil officials, but also agents of the
a7

ecclesiastical authorities. Their double role insured them great influence

with a people barbarizado por la ignorancia y el fanatismo. Maldonado,
Aauntoti Polit. Pan., MS., 3.
58
Public documents speak in general terms of outrages committed by the
revolutionists. They marched from Veragua against Los Santos in Azuero,
and were defeated. Pan. Gobern., in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., MS., no. 43, 5-
 PANAMA A STATE. 525

Nevertheless, the white population of Panamd had

been for some time past discontented with the general
government, and a desire had sprung up to get rid of
a yoke which was deemed oppressive. The supreme
authorities at Bogota were not unaware of this, arid
whether prompted by the fear of losing the territory,
or by a sentiment of justice, or by both, concluded to
allow the Isthmians the privilege of controlling their
local affairs, which was hailed with joy by all classes.
An additional clause to the national constitution was
then enacted by the New Granadan congress, on the
27th of February, 1855, by which Panama was made
a state, and a member of the confederation with the
four provinces of Panama, Azuero, Chiriqui, and Ve-
59
ragua, western boundary being such as might
its
come to be fixed upon by treaty with Costa Rica. 6J A
constituent assembly of 31 members was convoked
March 13th by the national executive, to meet at
Panama on the 15th of July to constitute the state.
9. An amnesty was decreed in favor of the revolutionists Sept. ISoi,
2f>,

excepting a few leaders, who were finally pardoned in a later one of Sept. 12,
1857. Pan., Gacct i del Est., Sept. li, 23, 1157. The following authorities ap
pear in pub. docs. July 23, 1852, Gen. Manuel M. Franco, appointed from
Bogota, comaiidante general, in place of Gen. Antonio Morales, deceased.
Aug. G, 1852, Gov. Manuel M. Diaz summoned the provincial legislature to
hold its yearly session. Sept. 1, 1853, Bernardo Arce Mata took possession
of the office of gov. Jan. 1, 1154, Jose Maria Urrutia Aiiino, who had been,
chosen gov. of the prov., assumed his duties. Pan., Cron. Ofic., Aug. 22, 29,
1852; Sept. 4, 1|53; Jan. 4, 1154; Pun. Gohern., in Pinart, Coil. Doc., MS..
110. 43, 11. This governor seems to have been elected wholly by votes of the
interior departments, which greatly displeased the citizens of the capital,
who had hitherto controlled affairs. Afiino was an honorable and just man,
and fairly intelligent; but was made the object of ungenerous hostility and
ridicule, and on one occasion, at least, his life was in danger. In 1 855, under
the pretext of an official visit in the interior, he went to his home and never
returned. Maldonado, Asuntos Polit. Pan., MS., It. The vice-gov., Manmd
M. Diaz, took the executive chair on the 19th of May, and occupied it till the
18th of July. Pan., Gaceta del Est., July 28, 1855.
59
This arrangement seems to have been against the wishes of the three
last named. The national congress having asked the provinces for their
opinion, the legislature of Chiriqui, on the 19th of Oct., 1852, approved a re
port of Nicolas Lopez to the effect that Veragua, Chiriqui, and Azuero should
not be harnessed to the car of Panama. C/urtqtii, Ordenanzas, in Pinart, Pan.
Coll. MS., no. 96, p. 64.
Doc.,
60
The
gen. govt ceded to Panama the buildings that had been used as cus
tom-houses till 1849 in Portobello and Panama; also two others in the plazuela
do armas and calle de Jirardot in Pan. and likewise the fortresses of Panama,
;

Chagres, and Portobello, excepting the esplanades and arti

dd E*t., July 20, 1855.
526 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

The assembly was presided over by Francisco Fabrega,

and on the 18th passed an act for the provisional
organization of the state. Justo Arosemena, being
chosen jefe superior provisorio, took possession of office
at once, and appointed Carlos Icaza Arosemena gov
ernment secretary. 61 The city of Panama was declared
to be the capital, and residence of the superior author
ities of the state.
The
constitution of the now Estado de
entitled
Panama was promulgated on the 17th of September,
1855. It was a liberal instrument, including freedom
of religion. The executive authority was vested in
a governor, who was to assume the office on the 1st
of October of the following year, and hold it two
years. A
vice-governor and two designados were also
to be elected by popular vote, to take charge of affairs
should the governor die or be otherwise disenabled to
discharge his duties. In the absence or inability of
all the elect, then the superior civil authority of the
capital was to act as governor.
62
A
misunderstanding
1
laving occurred between the jefe superior and the
assembly, the former resigned his office on the 28th
of September, and having insisted on his resignation
being accepted, Francisco Fabrega, who had been
61
The governor s salary was fixed at $400 per month. The new order of
things was formally communicated to the foreign consuls, all of whom offered
their congratulations, etc. /(/., July 28, Aug. 4, 1855; Veraguas, Ordcnanzas
y Resol., in. Pinart, Pan. Coll. Docs., MS., uo. 68, p. 68; Corrawo, B., Sttite/iit,
*MS., 3; Heraldo de Lima, Oct. 10, 1855. A decree of the assembly of Sept.
12, 1855, divided the state into seven departments: Colon, Panama, Cocle,
Herrera, Los Santos, Fabrega, and Chiriquf. Their respective chief towns
were to be Colon, Panama, Nata, Pese, Los Santos, Santiago, and David.
Governors were appointed by the executive, to enter upon their duties on the
1st of Aug. Pan., Gaceta del E*L, Sept. 15, 1855.
(;z
Tliid assembly was the most able and responsible body of men that ever
came together in Panama, excepting only that which proclaimed the inde
pendence from Spain. Maldonado, Asuntos Polit. Pan., MS., 12-13. The
officers on the day the constitution was signed were: Mariano Arosemena,
president; Dionisio Facio, vice-president; Santiago de la Guardia, designado;
Manuel Morro, deputy for Panama, secretary. Among the other signers
were Bernardo Arce Mata, Jose Arosemena, Bartolome Calvo, Jil Colunje,
1 ermiii Jovane, Jose de Obaldia, Ramon Vallarino, four Fabregas, nearly all
of whom have since held high office in the republic and the state. Ageneral
amnesty was also decreed on the 6th of Oct., for all political offences to Sept.
30th, whether the persons were sentenced or not. This included some who
had in July last disturbed the peace in Azuero. Pan., Gaceta del Estado, Sept.
LO, Oct. 13, 1855.
 DISPUTED ELECTION. 527

elected vice-governor on the 22d, was inducted into

63
the executive office on the 4th of October.
Notwithstanding the hopes of a bright future, from
this time the Isthmus was the theatre of almost
perpetual political trouble, and revolution became
chronic, preventing any possible advancement. In
1856 there was a stormy electoral campaign, 64 that
culminated in a coup d etat, for which the responsibility
must be about equally divided between the executive,
60
Francisco Fdbrega, and the demagogues.
The election for governor took place on trie 15th of
August, 185G. The white element claimed Bartolome
Calvo, a colored man from Cartagena, and a conserva
tive in politics, to have been elected by 4,000 majority.
The negroes insisted that Manuel M. Diaz, a white
man, had been chosen. The declaration by the legis
lature as to who was the elect bad not been made, as
required by law, by the 15th of September. The
radicals then demanded that the vice-governor,
O who
was in their interest, should assume the executive.
On the loth of September trouble was expected
against the white men, many of whom took refuge
on the American sloop of war St Mary s. 66 Calvo was
finally declared by the legislature on the 18th of Sep
tember to have been constitutionally chosen for two
67
years; and Francisco Fabrega the vice-governor.
If not a man of high order of talent, Calvo possessed
good judgment, and he eventually succeeded in mak
ing himself respected, even by those who opposed his
63
It is iinderstood that Fabrega accepted the jefatura superior only on
condition that Bartolome" Calvo should assume the government secretaryship,
which had been thrown up by Icaza Arosemena. Calvo became the secretary.
Id., Oct. 3, 10, 27, 1855; Corrcoso, Statemt, MS., 3.
6i
Previous to it the executive had to go with troops to quell a disobedience
to the authorities in Los Santos. No opposition being encountered, some
prisoners were made, who afterward received a pardon on the 6th of March.
Pan., Gaceta del E*t. Feb. 2, 25, March 24, 1856.
t
60
Some deputies of the opposition were arrested in the legislative cham
ber, and despotically exiled.
66
This vessel hauled into shore and landed her marines to protect the
whites. 8. F. Alia, Oct. 2, 14, 1856.
67
Pan. Star, Sept. 16, Oct. 1, 1856; Pan., Gaceta del Eat., Nov. 20, 1856;
Correoso, Statemt, MS., 3-4.
 5 JS DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT

election. His course was moderate, and it may be

said of him that lie was an honest man, and his ad
ministration a successful one. The finances were
6 ^
improved, and public education was encouraged.
After serving- nineteen months he resigned oilice and
left Ramon Ganiboa, as first designado,
the state/
59

succeeded him for the rest of the term.

Jose de Obaldia was chosen by popular vote over
fl. M. Hurtado, the government condidate. amid a
great political commotion, his election being recog
nized by the legislature at midnight, His term began
on the 1st of October, 1SJ8. Obaldia was one of the
most talented and best informed men in the republic,
and an eloquent orator. However, though a power
in the tribune, he proved himself unfitted for a ruler.
"
1

During his term, on the 17th of April, 18.V.), the col

ored population attempted to assail the whites, and
after some violence were dispersed by a force sent
against them. Another outbreak of the negroes 1

against the whites took place the _7th of September,

ISiJO, necessitating the binding of an armed force from
the British ship ( which, after order was restored, ///>,

returned on board.
"

(Governor Obaldia was succeeded by Santiago de la

73
Guardia, elected against the opposition of the liberal
puesto siu halvr mereeido imputation de quo huhiese tornado
t;s
Pejo el
3
del tesoro piiblico otra cosa mas ijuo sus sneldos. JtTaldonctdo, AftuntOii 2 olit.
/ (;/.. MS., 14.
* y
He had boon meantime
elected attorney -general of the republic, and his
resilience had to bo
in Bogota. /\i., (7atvtti del Eat., May JO, 18f>S.

70
He showed weakness during
his short occupancy of the presidential
at at Bogota, and afterward as governor of Panama.
>>
v
He was also la/.y and
negligent.
71
apt Navarro and one soldier were killed, and two others wounded.
(. The
governor himself was struck on the head with a stone. An Am. foree of
marines landed from their ship, but had no oecasion to use their arms. No
damage was done to- property. Id., Apr. 24, 1S.V.); / Alta, May S, 1S,"J). . .

-On the 29th

being feared that there would be another disturbance,
it
the more timid of the citizens sought refuge in the foreign consulates. The
intendaiite general, J. M. Hurtado, then asked the commanders of the Clio,
and U. S. sloop of war Loni,*, to land 100 men. It was done, and the trouble
/

\\as wartled oil for the time. S. / liidbiin, Oct. 29, Nov. 14, IS(H); ( S. C. ^rf . .

/><)<.,
(."ong. ol), Sess. Sen. Doe., 1, p. 15, iii; pt. 1: J\tn
"2,
X--/-.r/w. :?1.
7:5
Member of a respectable family in the interior; he was an honorable
man, and mueh respected by the whites. He was conservative, and became
the victim of politics when exerting himself to develop ever} branch of his
 ESTADO SOBERAXO DE PANAMA. 529

negro vote. In September 1860 the states of Cauca

aridBolivar seceded from Xueva Granada, and formed
a confederation under the name of Estados Uriidos de
Colombia, with General T. C. Mosquera at the head.
By a clause of their agreement any other state oppos
ing them was to be conquered and annexed. Wishing
to keep Panama neutral in the horrible struggle going
on in the rest of the republic, Guardia entered into a
convention on the 6th of September, 1861, with Manuel
Murillo Toro, who represented those states, by which
Panama was to join the confederacy, but to take no
74
active part in the family quarrel. Early in July
1862 the state assumed the official name of Estado
Soberario de Panama, which it has retained to the
present time.
This contest, out of which the liberal party came
triumphant throughout the country, was known as
*
la revolution de Mosquera. The minister of Xueva
Granada in Washington, on the plea that a mere
naval force could not afford security to the Isthmus
transit, asked the United States to provide also a
land force of 300 cavalry, but the request was not
75
granted.
country s resources. BitlvxU * I-th. r,f Pan., 200-2; Mablonwlo, Amntos PolU.
Pan., M.S., 13-10.
74
The gov. was authorized by the legislature on the 15th of Oct., 1861, to
join the state to the new confederacy. The state was therefore thus annexed,
and the foreign consuls were formally apprised of it. Justo Arosemena was
appointed on the Sth of Jan., 18G2, its plenipotentiary to the convention.
Pan., GantodelEtt., Sept. 27, 1861; Feb. 26, March 8, 1862.
7i
The Am. government, though willing to interjjo.se its aid for the benefit
of all nations in the execution of the neutrality treaty of 1846, feared to be
come involved in the revolutionary strife going on in Xueva Granada, besides
incurring danger of misrepresentation by other powers if it should act without
consulting them. The 35th art. of the treaty of December 12, 1846, says:
And in order to secure to themselves the tranquil and constant enjoyment
of these advantages, ami as an
especial compensation for said advantages, and
for the favors they have acquired by the 4th, 5th, and 6th art. of this treaty,
the U. S. guarantee positively and efficaciously to N. Granada, by the jjresent

stipulation, the perfect neutrality of the bsfore-mentioned Isthmus, with the

view that the free t ran. it from the one to the other sea may not be inter
rupted or embarrassed in any future time while this treaty exists; and in
consequence, the U. 8. also guarantee in the same manner the rights of sover
eignty and property which N. Granada has and possesses over the said ter
ritory. Sec. Seward laid the request of Gen. Herran before the British
and French governments to ascertain their views. Earl Russell thought
there was no occasion as yet for armed intervention. Shoull it occur, hia
HIST. CENT. A.M., VOL. III. 34
530 DIVERS PHASES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

The efforts of Guardia to keep the Isthmus out of

the general turmoil were of no avail. force of about A
150 or 200 men under General Santa Coloma came
from Cartagena to Colon, with the apparent purpose
of enabling the governor to carry out certain liberal
measures. The latter protested against such a viola
tion of a solemn agreement; but the force insisted on
coming across to Panama, and there was no way of
preventing it. In the course of a few weeks Guardia,
being convinced that he was being employed as a pup
pet, removed himself and the capital to Santiago de
\ r eragua. As soon as he was gone, with the conniv
ance of Santa Coloma, a party of men, all but one of
whom were of the colored race, assembled at the town
hall and deposed Guardia, naming one of their own

party, Manuel M. Diaz,provisional governor.

76
A
few days after, on the 19th of August, in a skirmish
between forces of the two factions, Governor Guardia
and two or three others were killed. 77 The o govern-
ment continued with Diaz at the head, 78 till under the
national constitution framed by the convention of Rio

government would cooperate with the U. S. Thouvenel, French minister of

foreign affairs, said ifthe railway should be in danger of interruption, he
would not deem it improper for the U. S. to interfere. U. 8. Oovt Doc., For
eign Affairs, 1802, pp. 132, 104, 380-1.
76 This occurred on the 25th of
July, 1802. Pan., Boletin Ofic., July 27,
1S02; La Vozde Mej., Aug. 20, 1802.
77
At Paso de las capellanlas del llio Chico, or Matapalo. Towns were
shamefully sacked by the victorious liberals, and several families, especially
those of Guardia and Fabrega, were ruined. Maldonado, Asunlos Polit. Pan.,
MS., 16; Gaccta de Pan., Aug. 11, 1870. Santiago de Veragua was plundered
Aug. 22. Pan., BoletinUfic., Sept. 6, 1862. The constituent assembly of the
state, sitting Aug. 9, 1805, passed an act recognizing that Guardia had lost his
life in defence of right, and honoring his memory. Id., Sept. 11, 1835. Cor-
reoso, who served among his opponents, speaks of Guardia in the highest
terms of commendation, and bewails the loss Panama suffered with his death.
iSucettos de Pan., 3.
78
A decree was issued in Sept. for election of deputies; another calling to
arms, for the defence of the state, all citizens between the ages of 18 and 60.
Panama was on the 2d of that month declared the provisional capital of the
state. On the 20th of Oct. was convoked a constitutional assembly which
met on the 28th of Nov., on which date the governor, in a message, made a
statement of events. On Oct. 28th was issued an amnesty excepting only
such persons as still refused to recognize the provisional government. Id.,
Sept. 0, 19, Oct. 1, 22, Nov. 3, 10, Dec. 11, 1802; S. F. Bulletin, Sept. 17,
Nov. 26, 1862.
 GOVERNOR DIAZ. 531

79
Negro, which constituted the nation under the name
of Estados Unidos de Colombia, the Isthmus became
one of the federal and sovereign states. To Governor
Diaz was assigned the duty of carrying out Mosquera s
stringent decrees against the clergy, an account of
which is given in the next chapter.
79
May Ratified the same day, by the representatives of Panama,
8, 1863.
who were Justo Arosemena, Guillermo Figueroa, G-. Neira, J. E. Brandao,
Uuillermo Lynch, and Buenaventura Correoso. Colombia, Const. Polit., 1-
42; Correoso s Statemt, MS., 2-3; Pan., Boktm Ojic., June 25, 1863.