Colombia

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Walter S. Funnell

Theodore Roosevelt tells Walter S. Funnell that he will not talk to any newspaper over the phone. In response to the attack on Roosevelt by the Consul of Columbia, Roosevelt states he did not expect Columbia to like the taking of Panama, but Roosevelt is not interested in what Columbia has to say about it, comparing Columbia to a train robber being caught by a Marshall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt reports that while preparing his speech to Congress on Panama, he received the telegram from Kermit and Ted informing him about the football match. He says he, Edith, and Ethel all cheered. Roosevelt says he was pleased with the results of the elections and then describes what is happening in Panama.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Impeachment inopportune

Editorial calls for the impeachment of Woodrow Wilson after his violation of the Constitution and the Hay-Pauncefort treaty in allowing Colombia to use the Panama Canal free of tolls. 

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1914-05-2

Creator(s)

Collins, P. V.

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Taft to thank William Nelson Cromwell for his “service to the nation” in negotiations with Colombia regarding payment for the Canal Zone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt forwards Secretary of State Root the text of a letter from Secretary of War William H. Taft concerning the treaty with Columbia regarding Panama. Roosevelt hopes Root can persuade Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Enrique Cortes to change his view.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from William Crawford Gorgas to William Brown McKinley

William Crawford Gorgas notifies Congressman McKinley that he will receive the SS Blücher as requested, but any passengers who land at La Guaira, Venezuela, or ports in Colombia will be quarantined.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-13

Creator(s)

Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920

Telegram from Herbert H. D. Peirce to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Peirce informs William Loeb that he received his telegram and he will instruct William Lawrence Penfield to get the papers ready. Ambassador John Barrett of Panama wishes to take the oath as ambassador to Colombia unless Ambassador William Worthington Russell’s commission is signed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-01

Creator(s)

Peirce, Herbert H. D. (Herbert Henry Davis), 1849-1916

Telegram from Joseph Bullock Coghlan to William H. Moody

USS Truxton reported that everything was quiet on the northeast coast. USS Newport sighted Pinzon, a Colombian ship, heading north. The Sasardi chief is now supporting Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-15

Creator(s)

Coghlan, Joseph Bullock, 1844-1908

Letter from John Barrett to Theodore Roosevelt

Responding to a request from President Roosevelt, John Barrett details his analysis and his involvement in a number of matters of international relations regarding Colombia, Panama, and South America generally, as well as Japan and China. He responds to the president’s concerns that he has been “too much in the papers.” He also suggests that Roosevelt visit South America at some future time after leaving the presidency. Such a visit would strengthen ties and would prepare Roosevelt for handling international affairs, should the nation again select him for the presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-17

Creator(s)

Barrett, John, 1866-1938

Interview between the Secretary of War, Francis B. Loomis, Herbert W. Bowen and W. W. Russell

This transcript presents a governmental interview of William Worthington Russell regarding the Mercado affair, wherein government officials were accused of profiting off of economic transactions and the sale of Venezuelan salt bonds. Russell is interviewed by Secretary of War William H. Taft, Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis, and Herbert Wolcott Bowen regarding his position as Secretary of Legation in Venezuela, and regarding Loomis’s conduct when he was the Minister to Venezuela. Russell testifies that in the Mercado claim he acted in a friendly, unofficial capacity, and did not personally profit off of anything.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Creator(s)

United States. War Department

Translation of letter from Rafael Reyes to Theodore Roosevelt

President Reyes seeks support from President Roosevelt in reconstructing Colombia. Reyes tells Roosevelt that Colombia has suffered from anarchy and poverty owing to three years of “civil strife and approaching disintegration,” during which a revolution had taken place in Panama, leading to its secession from Colombia. In the five months of his presidency, Reyes has subdued anarchy and closed the “era of savage warfare” in Colombia. Reyes believes Roosevelt helping him to reconstruct Colombia would be an act of simple justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-13

Creator(s)

Reyes, Rafael, 1851-1921

Letter from William Nelson Cromwell to Theodore Roosevelt

William Nelson Cromwell briefs President Roosevelt on the state of foreign relations between the United States and Colombia, especially Cromwell’s recent communications with General Rafael Reyes. Cromwell remarks that relations remain hostile, but may be improving.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-21

Creator(s)

Cromwell, William Nelson, 1854-1948

On a South American river

Cecil Clay summarizes his trip down the Magdalena River to Zaragoza, Colombia. He reflects on the mode of travel, hunting, and the effects of the civil war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Creator(s)

Clay, Cecil

Letter from Frederick William Holls to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick William Holls encourages President Roosevelt to write a complimentary letter to Ambassador White upon his retirement. He also believes the situation is ideal for the purchase of land in Panama for an interoceanic canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-29

Creator(s)

Holls, Frederick William, 1857-1903

Letter from William H. Moody to Theodore Roosevelt

There are reports that revolutionary forces are preparing an attack on the government forces of Colombia in Panama. Due to America’s potential interest in the New Panama Canal Company of France and guarantees of free transit across the isthmus, it may be necessary to secure the railroad terminals and route. Naval forces have been ordered towards Panama to protect the interests of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-12

Creator(s)

Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917

Control of the Panama Canal must be perpetual

Legal arguments supporting the need to reach an agreement with Colombia that allows for a perpetual lease of the land around the proposed Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Creator(s)

Unknown

Excerpt from New York Times on President Roosevelt’s inauguration

On the occasion of his inauguration, the New York Times re-examines President Roosevelt’s record of the past three years, and asks, can the nation expect an even bolder Roosevelt in the years to come? Roosevelt’s policies and actions of the past three years are subjected to a critical analysis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-04

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt talks about his favorite horse, and mentions Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s sickness, which leaves Ethel to read to Archie and Quentin. Granville Fortescue is at the White House as aide. Mrs. Wood is coming to dinner and there is quite a furor over General Wood’s confirmation. The situation in Panama is getting along alright.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-12-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Newspaper article from the Times

Article discusses James T. Dubois, new minister to Colombia, who was not helped by Theodore Roosevelt’s attack on the Colombians in The Outlook.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1911-11-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

Colombia bitter against us

Article discussing Theodore Roosevelt’s attacks on Colombia in The Outlook, possible war with Peru, and fracas at La Pedrera.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1911-11-12

Creator(s)

Unknown