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Assistant Manager Tisdell reports to Rear Admiral Glass that the “Mara” has taken a large consignment of explosives to Buenaventure for the Government of Colombia. He believes they may be used in Buenaventure to protect the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-04
Captain Haan reports information received from two Indian scouts that the Colombian force at Acanti is over 2,000 men, with over 4,000 in the region. Indian chiefs have been asked to supply 400 canoes. Word from Cartegena is that more troops are coming and will attack with or without orders to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-19
John Campbell Greenway encloses a report on Mexico. The report was received from an authentic source, an American writer who “should know exactly what he is writing about.”
1921-11-07
The navy is struggling with a lack of funding and the intelligence department cannot retain paid agents. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt asks if John Campbell Greenway would be interested in serving as a volunteer agent to help with intelligence gathering.
1921-07-26
John Campbell Greenway agrees to send information that may interest the Office of Naval Intelligence. He suggests that John Foster and W. A. Davidson would also be suitable agents. Greenway posits that the primary interest for the Navy might be intelligence related to operations in the Gulf of California.
1921-09-01
John Campbell Greenway encloses information outlining the type of information that John Foster can provide to the Navy in his “intelligence capacity.” Information of “unusual importance” should be provided to Greenway.
1921-10-28
John Campbell Greenway encloses information outlining the type of information that William Albert Davidson can provide to the Navy in his “intelligence capacity.” Information of “unusual importance” should be provided to Greenway.
1921-10-29
Commander Galbraith acknowledges John Campbell Greenway’s willingness to cooperate with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ted Roosevelt’s efforts regarding an informal volunteer Naval Intelligence service. Galbraith encloses an outline of preliminary instructions.
1921-09-16
John Campbell Greenway acknowledges receipt of a letter from Commander Galbraith. He has conveyed the information to John Foster and William Albert Davidson, who will report information to the Office of Naval Intelligence and consult with Greenway on any important matters.
1921-10-29
Captain McNamee acknowledges John Campbell Greenway’s letter containing a report on Mexico.
1921-11-14
John Campbell Greenway sends information regarding the Mexican situation as requested by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. Greenway will be in New York City for a few weeks and hopes to see Roosevelt.
1924-06-10
Outline of information desired that might indicate preparations for hostilities by any other nation. The information is requested by the Office of Naval Intelligence.
1921-09-16
The Russian Bear plays a fiddle labeled “Politics.” Around its waist is a belt with papers labeled “French Military Secrets” tucked behind. A cord extending from its right wrist is connected to a restraint labeled “Treaty” around the neck of a dancing soldier labeled “France.” The French soldier may refer to (and looks somewhat like) Ferdinand W. Esterhazy who was involved in the Dreyfus Affair and the sale of military secrets to Germany.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1898-03-16
Secretary of the Navy Moody requests information from Rear Admiral Glass concerning which vessels are stationed where, and possible ways Colombian troops could move about in the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-27
Lieutenant Ellicott reports to his commanding officer, Commodore Wadhams, regarding his reconnaissance on San Andres island. He was sent to determine if there was any truth to the report that the Governor of the island, Senor Perez, had interdicted American trade. Ellicott then obtained permission to talk to Americans on the island and gathered the intelligence that makes up the bulk of the report, including movement of and location coordinates for Colombian troops and their weaponry, high taxes being levied and enforcement of collection, removal of arms from the Native population, and the (favorable) differential treatment of Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-17
Rear Admiral Glass informs Secretary of the Navy Moody that the Native peoples are unfriendly towards Panama and the U.S., and would support Colombia. Glass then details where and how the Colombians could use the Natives’ canoes to land troops. Glass does not think Colombia will mount an invasion through Yavisa country. Glass asks if U.S. policy would allow them to resist an invasion, as Panamanian forces are not large enough to do so alone. Glass adds that the health of the troops is improving now that they have been removed to the ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-13
Rear Admiral Glass reports to Secretary of the Navy Moody that the USS New York has arrived and that the Colombian gunboat Bogota has left Buenaventura, presumably to refuel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-09
Rear Admiral Glass reports to Secretary of the Navy Moody about the movement of Colombian troops, and about the usability of trails and navigability of some rivers in the region where the Colombian troops are believed to be advancing. Glass also reports where the Panamanians have increased their forces. Many of Glass’s men in Yavisa are ill with fever, and he recommends they be returned to their ship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-07
Rear Admiral Glass informs Secretary of the Navy Moody that he is sending a tracing of a map prepared by a lieutenant. Glass points out the non-existence of roads, and states the rivers are the main methods of communication and the only way for Colombia to get forces into the region. Glass then details the three routes the Colombian army will have to use to attack Panama. Glass then discusses the advantages of using particular harbors as bases for their ships. Finally, Glass reports that the San Linus and Andres de Providencia islands have been occupied by the Colombians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-11
Lieutenant Commander Gleaves reports to Rear Admiral Coghlan the results of his attempts to gather intelligence from the Native peoples around Caledonia harbor. They left four scouting parties at Nellie to map the terrain, and mapped coastal areas. Gleaves reports extensively on the terrain, the lack of roads and trails, and the rivers with regard to their use for military purposes. The San Blas Indians were unfriendly, as they were strangers. Gleaves was able to meet with the “Big Chief” at Carti, Guayaquilile. The chief wanted them to leave the area and its rivers immediately, and told them that the Chief of Sasardi was the Chief of all the Indians, and the Chief of Bogota was the Chief of all. Gleaves was able to gather intelligence from other Native peoples, as they supported Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-11