Colombia had continued nevertheless to express interest…

Colombia had continued nevertheless to express interest in negotiating with the United States on building a canal.

The two countries had signed a treaty in 1846.

The treaty removed the existing restrictive tariffs and gave the United States and its citizens the right of free transit of persons and goods over any road or canal that might be constructed in the isthmus.

In addition, the United States guaranteed the neutrality of the isthmus and Colombia's sovereignty over it, with a view to ensuring uninterrupted transit for the duration of the treaty, which was to be twenty years or as long thereafter as the parties gave no notice to revise it.

Called the Bidlack-Mallarino Treaty of 1846, it was actually ratified and became effective in 1848.