August 12th Auction of Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Sports
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/12/2021
Department of State, Washington, 11th May, 1846
To the Honorable J. Grinnell, House of Representatives.
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th, relative to the claim of Captain Eliphalet Robbins. The accompanying extract from a note of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of New Granada to Mr. Bidlack, under date, the 14th
January, last, contains the latest information upon the subject in the possession of this Department. The letter of your correspondents Meflin Glifford and Brigham is herewith returned."
Concerned that Britain might use the war with Mexico to expand its claims in Central America and the Caribbean, Buchanan, as President Polk's Secretary of State, responded positively to the initiative of New Granada (present-day Colombia) for a commercial treaty. The agreement, signed by U.S. Minister Benjamin A. Bidlack, conveyed to the U.S. the right of way across the Isthmus of Panama. In return, the United States promised to guarantee the neutrality of the isthmus and the sovereignty of New Granada. In so doing, Polk paved the way for the eventual construction in 1914 of the Panama Canal, although a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans already found boosters within Polk's cabinet. Meanwhile, Polk opened discussions with Spain with the aim of purchasing Cuba, although in this case his goal was to prevent another war of annexation being pushed by certain fellow Democrats. However, Spain was not interested in the U.S. offer.Letter from Buchanon to Joseph Grinell of the house of representatives in reference to state department business.
Joseph Grinnell (November 17, 1788 – February 7, 1885) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and friend of Abraham Lincoln, and the brother of Moses Hicks Grinnell
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