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President Roosevelt would like to show Jacob Schurman the draft of his message to Congress which shows that Roosevelt and Secretary Hay were ignorant of imminent revolution in Colombia. However, the possibility of a revolution had been discussed for months. Roosevelt hopes Schurman will be at the diplomatic reception in January.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-12
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from the Minister to Colombia that shows there was no chance of securing rights to a canal by treaty. The other option was Nicaragua which many engineers strongly advocated against. Roosevelt is against supporting a secessionist movement in Panama but admits that he would be delighted if Panama was an independent state. He will not speak publicly on the matter for that would be taken as instigation for a revolt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
President Roosevelt agrees that nothing should be done in the Colombia matter at present. Roosevelt sees two courses of action; take up with Nicaragua, or wait to secure the Panama route without having to deal with the “homicidal corruptionists in Bogota.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-15
President Roosevelt is reluctant to make his views on the canal public for fear of inciting a revolt in Panama. He is not opposed to waiting a few years for the canal and does not know what Congress plans to do.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
President Roosevelt requests information on the American actions that elicited complaint from Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-28
Letter of introduction for Edwin Emerson, newspaperman and former Rough Rider. Emerson is knowledgeable on the South American republics, including Colombia, and has information about the situation at the Isthmus.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-23
President Roosevelt fears that the Lutheran Germans will resent a Catholic as United States Ambassador to Germany and suggests appointing Charlemagne Tower to the position. Roosevelt would like Secretary of State Hay to find out if the Germans would accept Tower as ambassador. Roosevelt is also interested in buying the Panama isthmus instead of leasing it from Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-21
President Roosevelt considers the proposed Isthmian Canal a great work of his administration and of the 20th century. Negotiations are being trusted to Hay and Attorney General Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-01
Senator Lodge delivered a speech to the Senate that was met with “universal applause” and will be sending a copy of the speech to Roosevelt. The Democrats are starting an inquiry into the “Panama business” in preparation for demanding arbitration with Colombia. Lodge is willing to give Colombia some money but will not legitimize their claim to Panama by sending the matter to arbitration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-01
Hugh T. Halbert asks Theodore Roosevelt if he has read Henry G. Granger’s article “The Stain on our Flag.” There have been many inquiries if the statement regarding Colombia is fair, so Halbert requests Roosevelt’s clarification. He discusses Minnesota’s mixed position concerning presidential candidates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-26
Secretary of State Knox thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letters and information regarding the alleged official dispatches stolen by a New York World employee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-11
Elliott Northcott, Minister to Colombia, reports to Secretary of State Knox on the conduct of Edwin Warren Guyol and Earl Harding, reporters for the New York World who were visiting the legation to investigate the revolution in Panama. Their aim was to secure evidence to be used in a trial against the World. Guyol and Harding both acted badly, and Harding accessed the legation’s records without permission. Legation clerk Alfred A. Norsworthy, who gave Harding access to the papers, was dismissed. Harding threatened to publish information that would get Northcott and other legation officials fired.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-10-25
Harry Johnston thanks President Roosevelt for facilitating a warm reception when he visited the Panama Canal construction site, where he met president-elect William H. Taft. Johnston then wrote a letter to Taft on his return to Colòn about the city’s appalling hotel and infrastructure. He now worries that this was inappropriate. If Taft is angry, he asks Roosevelt to “placate his wrath.” Johnston also wonders why Roosevelt is going hunting in Africa instead of somewhere in South America, Central America, or the Antilles. He shares his address in England, and hopes that United States Minister to Haiti H. W. Furniss will retain his position in the new administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-03
Whitelaw Reid encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to President-elect William H. Taft in which he explains why he believes he should maintain his post longer than currently planned. The King of England appreciated President Roosevelt’s speech on British rule in India and mentioned as well that he hoped Reid would remain Ambassador. Reid updates Roosevelt on diplomatic work he has been doing concerning the Panama Canal and Newfoundland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-22
Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on his visit to the Panama Canal Zone. Taft was investigating reports of poor conditions in the Subsistence Department to head off a scandal. As a result, Jackson Smith has resigned from the Commission, and Taft suggests personnel and organizational changes. Taft also reports on attempts to rig the upcoming election in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-16
José Dolores Gámez, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, informs Crisanto Medina Salazar, the Nicaraguan minister in Paris, that there have been indications that Japan and Great Britain have spoken about the possibility of constructing an isthmian canal in Nicaragua to rival the one being built in Panama by the United States. Gámez instructs Salazar to speak secretly with the Japanese minister in Paris about this possibility, and to give the impression that such a proposal to Nicaragua would be favorably received. Colombia has also spoken with Japan about constructing a canal in their territory and facilitating closer relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-29
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that the division of payments between the United States and Panama remains the only point of agreement in the Colombian-Panaman treaty. Taft prefers an equal distribution and asks for Roosevelt’s opinion. In a handwritten note, Roosevelt agrees with Taft but to close the matter tonight, he agrees to the Panamanian proposal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
Panamanian president Tomás Arias announces the separation of Panama from Colombia and the creation of their own independent nation. The “pacific” nature of the people and the open, honest government both contributed to this end result. There is hope that the Panama Canal and Panama’s relationship with the United States will bring happiness and abundance to the nation, still reeling from the “demoralization caused by the last war.” The Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty signed November 2 will help ensure this new time of peace and rebuilding. Self governance must be done with the good of the entire community in mind and a unity of purpose, as the intolerance of old will lead to ruin. The report writer recounts internal disagreements around the last election and the detention of Colombian, Cuban, Mexican, and Nicaraguan officials who were working against this new unity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-23
William Crawford Gorgas notifies Theodore P. Shonts that passengers who have landed at Venezuelan or Colombian ports are not allowed to land at Colón, Panama, without undergoing a six day quarantine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
George von Lengerke Meyer recounts a series of telegrams sent back and forth regarding his requesting permission to take an after-cure in the mountains to help with his illness. If needed, he will return immediately; otherwise he will remain in Russia until Roosevelt calls on him. Meyer likens Russian’s prejudices against Jews to that of Benjamin R. Tillman’s views on the rights of African Americans. He thinks the next Duma will be radical and that the current quiet in Russia might not last.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21