Franklin Pierce: “No good reason exists for the marked distinction which appears upon our statutes between the laws for protecting life…”

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

Our forefathers were trained to the wisdom which conceived and the courage which achieved independence by the circumstances which surrounded them, and they were thus made capable of the creation of the Republic.

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.

These results have not been attained without passing through trials and perils, by experience of which, and thus only, nations can harden into manhood.