Colombia

John Burroughs is unsure when, if at all, his portrait will be on display at the Cosmos Club. Burroughs compliments President Roosevelt on his “Panama hunt,” meaning American support of the 1903 Panamanian revolution. It is intolerable for Colombia to hold up a “great world enterprise” such as an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Original and typewritten copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-06

The State Department contends that a canal treaty can be made with Panama without further legislation as Panama will simply take the place of Colombia within the Spooner law. The rights and obligations of the United States on the isthmus are the same no matter what government holds the territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-11

Daniel Edgar Sickles encloses a resume from the Times that editorializes his address on the Panama policy held at the Patricia Club. On the topic of American development, Sickles compares President Roosevelt to former presidents Thomas Jefferson and William McKinley. Sickles discusses political action regarding the Panama Revolution; Sickles suggests extending Panama borders and asserts the need for United States control of the canal between Colon and Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-16

Jacob Gould Schurman reports that he and his wife will attend the upcoming diplomatic reception and discusses the revolution in Panama. Schurman mentions conversations with Governor Odell regarding New York politics. Handwritten original and typewritten copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-22

J. H. Woodard congratulates President Roosevelt on the treaty with Panama and expects the canal to benefit the United States and the world.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-22

Pages three and four of the December 2, 1903, issue of the Northwestern Christian Advocate, with the article “The government’s policy toward Panama” noted. In the article, Congressman Hitt refutes the accusation that the Roosevelt administration recognized Panama too quickly or played any role in that country’s secession from Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-02

Colombian General Daniel Ortiz distributes a General Order to commanders, officers and soldiers of the Army of the Pacific Ocean of the Department of Panama to defend Colombia against American forces in the Panama Revolution of 1903. Ortiz admonishes President Roosevelt’s policy and the Monroe Doctrine, asserting their contradiction of the Mallarino-Bidlack treaty of 1846, which stated Colombia’s ownership of Panama. Ortiz references Simón Bolívar and the triumph of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia over the Spanish Empire in the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-23

Commander Hubbard writes to Secretary of the Navy Moody regarding events in Panama. Colombian troops arrived in Colon intending to move to a garrison. Panama announced its separation from Colombia the next day and Hubbard refused to permit the Colombian troops to travel to the garrison. This led to a conflict between Hubbard and Colombian Colonel Eliseo Torres, which was resolved when Torres agreed to withdraw his troops from Colon if Hubbard withdrew his troops to the USS Nashville. Torres did not withdraw to the agreed location, but upon word from the new Panamanian government, Torres and his troops returned to Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-08

The British government, represented by Vice Consul Rhodes, is concerned that two British steamers, the Manavi and Quito, will be seized by Colombia in order to transfer troops to Panama and fight the Panamanian revolution. Another concern is that the Panamanian provisional government will attack the steamers if they are seized by Colombia. Commander Diehl consulted with General Obarrio who agreed not to attack the British steamers. The isthmus is quiet and the Panamanians are prepared to defend their newly declared republic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-09

The British consul and the Panamanian provisional government fear that Colombia will seize two British steamers and use them to transport troops. Britain is also concerned about the steamers being sunk. Commander Diehl believes that the landing of troops will lead to a prolonged campaign and requests instructions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-09

Jacob Gould Schurman writes approvingly of President Roosevelt’s South American policy that governs action in Panama. Schurman recommends that Panama become an American territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-12

The unknown author scolds journalists for spreading rumor and suspicion about President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Hay’s involvement in the Panamanian revolution. The United States is obliged to protect communication and transit across the isthmus and must deal with whichever government holds the land, including the Panamanians. The author expects a treaty with the new republic and an American built, owned, policed, and controlled canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-14

The unknown author finds fault with the Anti-Imperialists not accepting the new republic of Panama. It is suggested that they enlist with Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-01

In a recent speech, General Sickles stated that if a canal is built across the Isthmus of Panama the United States must have sovereignty over the canal and adjacent territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-14

Partial page of The Commercial Advertiser with articles relating to Cuban annexation, a controversy surrounding President Roosevelt hosting labor leaders, John Mitchell’s views on various labor tactics, and a defense of the government’s actions with Panama and Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-24

Commander Hubbard informs Colonel Shaler, Supervisor of the Panama Railroad, that Colombian troop movements threaten the free and uninterrupted transit of the isthmus. Hubbard directs Shaler to cease transfer of troops by rail.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Commander Hubbard informs United States Consul, Oscar Malmros, that Colombian troop movements threaten the free and uninterrupted transit of the Isthmus. Hubbard directs the Supervisor of the Panama Railroad to cease transfer of troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Commander Hubbard writes that Colombian troop movements threaten the free and uninterrupted transit of the Isthmus; he informs Colonel Torres that he has directed the Supervisor of the Panama Railroad Co. to cease transfer of all troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Municipal leaders of Panama City have decided to join the movement seeking independence for the isthmus from Colombia. They hope that the United States will recognize their cause.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Commander Hubbard reports to Secretary of the Navy Moody that Colonel Eliseo Torres of the Colombian army threatened to open fire on any U.S. citizen in the town of Colon if Colombian generals held prisoner in Panama were not released. Hubbard made preparations for defense, but Torres later claimed that the incident was a misunderstanding. Torres offered to withdraw his troops from the city if Hubbard’s troops returned to their ship, which Hubbard accepted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-05