32 Chapter 2
Participants: 100 Colombia/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Ship seizures in the Colombia-US dyad were a frequent occurrence in the
19th century. This particular case refers to the August 4, 1834, Colombian seizure of
the US schooner Andrew Jackson. The ship was seized off the coast of Colombia and
taken to Cartagena for a trial. The Colombians responsible for the seizure charged that
the ship held eight pounds of illicit gunpowder in cargo. An inferior court ruled in
favor of the seizure, but this was overturned in an appellate court. The appeal reversed
the sentence, released the ship, but did not award compensation for the American
owner, Joseph Knap. He eventually sold the schooner to defray the costs, but made
a $9,688.02 claim against Colombia. The claim was made on June 16, 1835, and
delivered to Colombia on October 28 of that same year. The incident ends quietly. No
progress was made on the claim, and a mixed commission established by both states
disallowed the claim on February 10, 1864.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 1834. End Date changed from
Missing.
MID#1522
Dispute Number: 1522
Date(s): June 25, 1856 to October 11, 1856
Participants: 2 United States of America/100 Colombia
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Colombia decided to reimplement a tax on all mail transported across the
Isthmus of Panama. The United States threatened to resist by force.
MID#2343
Dispute Number: 2343
Date(s): April 2, 1896 to April 21, 1896
Participants: 100 Colombia/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Colombia detained a US coconut boat on April 2, 1896, claiming customs
violations. The ship was released after a protest by the United States on April 21,
1896.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 3, 1896.
MID#159
Dispute Number: 159
Date(s): November 2, 1903 to January 25, 1904
Participants: 2 United States of America/100 Colombia