Colombia

Letter from William Nelson Cromwell to Theodore Roosevelt

A series of events has brought the Panama Canal within reach and William Nelson Cromwell believes there are only two things that halt the canal; failing to hold the Panama purchase and failure to hold Colombia to its obligations. It is clear that Colombia has been acting in bad faith thus justifying any “consequent action” by the United States. Cromwell is confident that President Roosevelt can handle the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-14

Letter from Marcus Alonzo Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Hanna wants allowances made for the political situation in Colombia so that a serious mistake will not threaten the final settlement of the Panama Canal situation. The Panama route is strongest and they must prepare to resist renewed efforts in support of the Nicaragua route. Under present conditions, Hanna suggests that the French company proceed with their work while Hanna and President Roosevelt seek to handle the matter in Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-04

Letter from J. Gabriel Duque to John Hay

J. Gabriel Duque provides an update on events in Colombia’s Panama Department. Local sentiment strongly favors independence but Duque does not see the leaders or funds necessary for a conflict. The troops, including their commander General Esteban Huertas, are starving, despondent, and ignored by the central government. Duque suggests the soldiers could be readily bought off.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-21

Telegram from James Alexander Scrymser to Alvey A. Adee

The captain of the cable ship has been ordered to defer action while negotiations are held between James Alexander Scrymser’s company and the Colombian government. Arrangements have been made with Western Union for free telegrams related to the negotiations from the State Department and Minister Arthur M. Beaupre.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-28

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alvey A. Adee forwards a letter sent to Secretary of State John Hay from José Gabriel Duque Amaro which describes the Panama canal situation. Adee believes that Duque’s political forecast is plausible. Adee also sends several telegrams from Minister Arthur M. Beaupre regarding the political situation in Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-30

Letter from Arthur M. Beaupre to John Hay

Minister to Argentina Beaupre informs Secretary of State Hay that to assure the election of Rafael Reyes as President of Colombia, new Governors have been appointed for Bolivar, Magdalena, and Panama who are pledged to the treaty and to Reyes’s election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-12

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay discusses options for the United States government’s position with regard to Colombia. If insurrection breaks out in Panama, action must be taken to keep transit clear, and such action should not favor Bogota. Hay advises President Roosevelt to consider all this for a few weeks, seeing how events transpire in the meantime.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-13

Telegram from Benjamin F. Montgomery to William Loeb

Benjamin F. Montgomery forwards a telegram from Governor Taft to President Roosevelt. Taft has advised Beekman Winthrop to decline the judgeship and wait for another vacancy. Winthrop is outranked by several individuals and his rapid promotion could be embarrassing. Secretary of State Hay should be informed that the Colombian Congress has not discussed the canal question and the situation is unchanged. Deciphered telegram and original cipher.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-19

Telegram from Arthur M. Beaupre to John Hay

Arthur M. Beaupre informs Secretary of State Hay that the presidential candidature has been offered to General Reyes, and asks whether treaty approval by Congress will take place as it will affect Reyes’s desire to become president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-12

Democratic Senators and the Panama treaty

Democratic leaders have decided to make opposition to the Panama treaty a campaign issue. The treaty is popular with the public and several Democratic senators objected to the decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09

Memorandum from Francis B. Loomis to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of State Loomis is having the commission of John Barrett prepared to send to President Roosevelt. An announcement of this upcoming appointment had been leaked leaked to the press by Barrett’s friends. Loomis also encloses a copy of a dispatch he received from the Minister at Bogota.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-01

Letter from Marcus Alonzo Hanna to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Hanna looks forward to President Roosevelt’s visit and wishes to discuss topics such as the Panama Canal, Colombia, and the Great Lakes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-01

Letter from Frederick William Holls to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick William Holls does not believe a Nicaraguan canal to be feasible and urges President Roosevelt to extend negotiations with Colombia. Holls goes so far as to support the annexation of Panama to the United States before or after Panama gains independence from Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-20

Memorandum regarding Tomás Herrán and the Colombian legation

In relation to the Colombian legation, Jose Concha has returned to New York due to health reasons and Tomás Herrán will be charge d’affaires in the interim. Herran will continue negotiations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-01

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay agrees with Senator Dryden that the money is not payable until the President is satisfied with the land title and the treaty is ratified by both governments. Hay estimates this will take at least six months.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-12

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay informs President Roosevelt that he has received assurances from Russia that it does not seek exclusive mining rights in Manchuria. Hay is continuing his work on the Colombian treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-12

Letter from Thomas Collier Platt to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Platt would like President Roosevelt to look over a letter that Platt received from Senator Morgan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-15

Letter from John Tyler Morgan to Thomas Collier Platt

John Tyler Morgan fears that war will break out between Colombia and Nicaragua in an effort to prevent the creation of a canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-08

Memorandum on Colombian treaty

Senator Hanna has received confidential information that Tomas Herran, agent of the Colombian government, would sign the treaty for $10 million and an annuity of $250,000. Herran would sign at once before orders arrive from Colombia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Taft begins with questions about what should be done in a libel case between Francis B. Loomis and Herbert W. Bowen. He then delves into foreign policy, particularly a dispute between President Castro of Venezuela and an American asphalt company. Taft believes a war with Venezuela can and should be avoided, at least until Congressional approval. Taft would like to send William W. Russell to Venezuela, presumably in a diplomatic capacity. (Description from deciphered transcript.)

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-27