Bunau-Varilla, Philippe, 1859-1940

In a chapter titled “A Most Just and Proper Revolution,” taken from the second volume of his biography of Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Rex, Edmund Morris details the machinations in Washington, D.C. and Panama that resulted in the revolution against Colombian rule on the Isthmus and the establishment of the independent nation of Panama. Morris describes the careful actions and words of administration figures like Roosevelt and Secretary of State John Hay, and he charts the movement of ships of the United States Navy sent in support of the insurrection. Morris adds to his Panama narrative interludes about the November 1903 elections in the United States, Roosevelt’s visit to Sagamore Hill, and his compilation of a reading list.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2001

John M. Thompson examines the domestic political dimensions of the United States’ efforts to secure a canal zone in Central America. Thompson identifies those who favored canal routes in Nicaragua or Panama, and he looks closely at the Congressional reaction to the revolt in Panama and the United States’ quick recognition of the new nation. Thompson lays out the opposition to the subsequent canal treaty from Democrats and anti-imperialists, and he details the publicity campaign waged by President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration to justify its course of action and win Senate approval of the treaty. Thompson highlights the role of Southern Democrats who supported the treaty because they saw the canal as aiding their region’s economy and because Democrats did not want to be seen as opposing a popular policy of constructing a canal. Thompson concludes his article by examining the various aspects of domestic politics that Roosevelt had to consider when making foreign policy decisions. 

Ten photographs and five political cartoons populate the article.

Two books undergo scrutiny in this edition of the “Book Reviews” section while ten others are mentioned in a “Book Notes” subsection that lists recently released or reissued titles. Elizabeth E. Roosevelt reviews Richard H. Collin’s Theodore Roosevelt’s Caribbean and gives a brief overview of each of the work’s four sections, praising the book for its portraits of key players involved in the various diplomatic tussles of the Roosevelt administration in the Caribbean basin. The review is followed by seven excerpts from Collin’s book, ranging from a single sentence to short paragraphs. Donald F. Kirkpatrick reviews Ralph H. Lutts’s The Nature Fakers which chronicles Theodore Roosevelt’s fight with William J. Long and other nature writers who attributed human traits to animals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1991

Michael Caglioti challenges the assumption that President Roosevelt acted immorally in the negotiations and events leading to the Panamanian Revolution of 1903 that ultimately led to the construction of the Panama Canal by the United States in the independent nation of Panama. Caglioti details why Roosevelt wanted the Canal built, and looks at the treaties the United States entered into with various countries to pave the way for United States sovereignty over a future canal. He contends that elements of Colombia’s government, press, and public opinion refused to recognize the reality of the United States’ superior economic, diplomatic and military power when negotiating the canal treaty.

Caglioti further notes that the Colombian government refused to ratify the Hay-Herran Convention authorizing the building of the canal because it wanted more money, and details the benefits that Colombia would have received from the canal’s construction. He argues that Roosevelt’s “guilt” in the Panama affair is usually tied to whether his administration gave an explicit assurance of assistance to the Panamanian rebels. He says that Roosevelt acted, as he should have, in the best interests of the United States in helping the revolution succeed.

A photograph of Roosevelt sitting in one of the steam shovels used in the construction of the canal accompanies the article.

Assistant Secretary of State Loomis explains how he came to know the French engineer Philippe Bunau-Varilla, who is very interested in the Panama Canal and the state of affairs between Colombia and Panama. He also describes introducing him to President Roosevelt, and the nature of a conversation he and Bunau-Varilla had regarding the possible actions the United States might take in the event of a revolution in Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-05

Philippe Bunau-Varilla uses an “intrigue” candle to cause the “Colombia” egg to hatch, producing a “Panama Republic” chick. Bunau-Varilla holds “French Canal Co. Stock sold to U.S. for $40,000,000,” while the chick holds two papers up to President Roosevelt: “concession to United States to dig canal” and “credentials of Bunau-Varilla as minister to the U.S.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-15

Uncle Sam watches as a jack-in-the-box holding a paper that reads “the president of Panama” is controlled by “New York” (“canal prospects”) and “Paris” (“canal bonds”). Meanwhile, a man carrying the “credentials of new minister” heads toward the White House. Several United States battleships steam towards Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-13

A list of questions and probable answers regarding different plans and designs for the Isthmian Canal in Panama. In particular, the document outlines the logistics, pros, cons, and timeline of creating a sea level canal verses a 130 foot level lock canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-04

Following his attack on the board of consulting engineers for the Panama Canal, Philippe Bunau-Varilla’s hopes of becoming an engineer on the project have been dashed. Bunau-Varilla had proposed first building a lock canal that would gradually be dug into a sea-level canal; this plan was rejected as extravagant and unfeasible. Current plans are for a sea-level canal to be dug, which will take fifteen years and cost $230,000,000.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-20

John Bigelow, a former ambassador to France from the United States, has recently published a pamphlet on the Panama Canal. Bigelow criticizes the inflated costs of the project, as well as the slow pace of the work. The initial French plan consisted of an initial, preliminary canal which after its completion would be widened into the final form, but the United States rejected this plan in favor of completing the canal in one go.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

Set of 10 postcards with photographs of the Panama Canal during its construction. On the reverse side of each card is a short description of the photograph.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1977

John C. Spooner replies to President Roosevelt’s note concerning amendments to the Panama Canal Treaty proposed by the U.S. Senate Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-23

Secretary of State Hay is sending a letter from Philippe Bunau-Varilla, Panama’s ambassador to the United States and President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-20

John Hay encloses a copy of a note from Francisco Vicente de la Espriella and a letter from Philippe Bunau-Varilla.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-08

John Bassett Moore discusses a conversation with Philippe Bunau-Varilla concerning the Panama canal question. He states that he never discussed a possible Panamanian revolt again Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-07

Acting Secretary of State Loomis encloses a copy of remarks that Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Repulic of Panama, Philippe Bunau-Varilla, will make at a meeting with President Roosevelt the next day. Loomis includes remarks that Roosevelt will make for Roosevelt’s approval.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-12

Grace Bigelow asks Corrine Roosevelt Robinson to read an enclosure from Philippe Bunau-Varilla regarding the Panama Canal.  Bunau-Varilla would like to meet with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-21

Corrine Roosevelt Robinson suggests that President Roosevelt meet with Philippe Bunau-Varilla, who is currently in Washington, regarding the Panama question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-22

Navy report on the progress of the Panama Canal, including maps and photographs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1886