Your TR Source
Senator Stone requested Theodore Roosevelt’s objections to the Colombian treaty report but Roosevelt was not given enough time to prepare anything new. He calls Stone’s attention to an article he wrote on the topic that was published in the February edition of Metropolitan Magazine and a speech delivered by Joseph Benson Foraker on December 17, 1903.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-23
Theodore Roosevelt declines Franck Taylor Evans’ invitation to travel to Panama due to the impending treaty between Panama and Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-03
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Senator Borah on his speech and discusses potential committee meetings concerning the Colombian Treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-16
A full account of Theodore Roosevelt’s actions towards Colombia and the creation of the Panama Canal will appear in two weeks in Metropolitan Magazine. He does not understand Hannis Taylor’s attempts at misrepresenting his actions; he was transparent in the process. As president at the time, Roosevelt takes responsibility for gaining control of the canal zone and beginning construction of the Panama Canal. His actions were in accord with the nation’s treaty obligations, followed American policy precedents towards the region, were ratified by Congress, and were “indispensable to the honor and the interest of the United States.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-07
Theodore Roosevelt is glad Father Zahm liked his article on Mexico. Roosevelt can not believe how poorly Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan are as heads of the United States. Roosevelt thanks Zahm for the book for Mrs. Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt reminds Truman Handy Newberry about articles on socialism that he wrote five years ago. Roosevelt explains that he does not always agree with the editorial stance of the newspapers that publish his articles. Roosevelt takes responsibility for all that he has published, but does not consider himself accountable for what others may have written in the newspapers’ editorials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt responds to George U. Crocker about why he named his doctrine “recall of judicial decisions” and the problems it caused. He then explains that he does not care if the form of recall of decisions applies to voters deciding if Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution are right or wrong or to voters deciding they want an act to become law regardless of the Constitution. Although, he thinks that deciding ad hoc changes to the Constitution is easier and safer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-19
In the case of the Republic of Colombia vs. Panama Canal Company, the First Civil Tribunal of the Seine found in favor of the defendants. Colombia’s complaint is not receivable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
President Roosevelt is “at work upsetting the Treasury about the frame business.” He liked Senator Lodge’s statement in response to Culbertson’s Panama “‘bomb,'” and disparages the newspapers for misconstruing the meaning of statements made a year before about the treaty ratification. Roosevelt also appreciated Lodge’s quote in support of him in McClure’s, and thought it sounded better than former President Cleveland’s endorsement of Alton B. Parker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-22
President Roosevelt writes to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge about a complicated issue the State Department is facing, regarding whether or not it should arbitrate a contract dispute between two American telegraph companies in Panama. Roosevelt does not believe that diplomatic intervention from the Department of State is appropriate in this situation, because the dispute is between two American companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-16
Elihu Root informs Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon that he hopes to reach Panama by September 16. If the USS Mayflower can be ready by then, at Colon, Panama, to take him to Cartagena, Colombia, he will probably be able to return via San Francisco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
President Roosevelt hopes that the public will come to understand that it is the country’s duty to intervene in Central and South America in the “interest of order and civilization.” However, intervention should be avoided whenever possible. Roosevelt hopes to minimize interference in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-26
President Roosevelt was sad to hear that Cecil Spring Rice will not receive a position in Washington, D. C. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have enjoyed the books sent by Spring Rice. Roosevelt reflects on the differences of Persian culture. He believes the Panama treaty will pass and the canal will begin construction. Roosevelt is confident the Panama Canal will be a benefit to mankind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-18
President Roosevelt had a low opinion of Colombia and considered their government to be “cruel despotism.” He was happy to assist Colombia. The tyranny over Panama would end and the canal would not be blocked.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-04
President Roosevelt compares the secession of Panama with various independence movements including the American Revolution and the American Civil War. Roosevelt also discusses various newspapers and their support of either Panama or Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-22
President Roosevelt is surprised at what Bellamy Storer tells him about Denis Joseph O’Connell. Roosevelt informed O’Connell that he would not interfere in any way to help a clergyman of any denomination attain high rank in that denomination. Storer’s suggestion that the Vatican act as “umpire” in the dispute between Panama and Colombia will be considered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-19
President Roosevelt suggests that instructions should be issued to the units around Panama that they should not fire unless fired upon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-21
President Roosevelt rejects the argument that Panama declaring independence from Colombia is a similar situation to the secession of Southern states before the American Civil War. Roosevelt believes that Colombia acted in bad faith during the treaty negotiations and ratification. As such, the United States owes nothing to Colombia “in law or in morals.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-30
President Roosevelt updates his son Theodore Roosevelt on the family. Roosevelt is disgusted by the poor performance of the Harvard football team. The trouble with Panama and Colombia has given President Roosevelt “an idea of the fearful times Lincoln must have had in dealing with the great crises he had to face.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-15
President Roosevelt denies inciting a revolution or any form of conspiracy on the Isthmus. The people of the Isthmus favor the canal and separation from Colombia and Colombia’s bad faith on the signing of the treaty was their death warrant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-06