Franklin Pierce: “The merchants, mariners, and shipbuilders of the United States are, it is true, unsurpassed in far-reaching enterprise…”

I caused full investigation of that event to be made, and the result shows satisfactorily that complete responsibility for what occurred attaches to the Government of New Granada.

We have at length reached that stage of our country's career in which the dangers to be encountered and the exertions to be made are the incidents, not of weakness, but of strength.

I shall continue my efforts to procure for the wrongs of our citizens that redress which is indispensable to the continued friendly association of the two Republics.

The aggressive capacity of great naval powers would be thereby augmented, while the defensive ability of others would be reduced.