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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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-14
Encouraged by Dr. Shaw, William Gibbs McAdoo, a Southern Democrat, derides party loyalty and sends a letter to applaud President Roosevelt for his policy concerning Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-16
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-24
Demetrio H. Brid declares Panamanian independence from Colombia and hopes for recognition from the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-03
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
Acting Vice Consul for Great Britain Andrews sends a letter of thanks to Commander John Hubbard for the United States military offering assurance of protection for British lives and property in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-06
The unknown author claims that the public supports President Roosevelt’s “Panama coup.” The author states that the president is completely in line with public opinion in building the Panama Canal and that it will benefit commerce worldwide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-23
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-14
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-21
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-30
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-12
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-13
Public opinion in the South supports the ratification of the Panama treaty and the Louisiana legislature has instructed its senators, Murphy J. Foster and Samuel Douglas McEnery, to vote for the treaty. The public widely supports the treaty and the isthmian canal but many Democrats, led by Maryland Senator Arthur P. Gorman, are opposing the treaty in an effort to gain political capital.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09
The Democrats, led by Senator Arthur P. Gorman, are attempting to make the Panama treaty a political issue. Constitutional issues have been decided in favor of the canal and the public supports its construction. Making the canal a political issues will be a blunder for Democrats.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09
Provided a clear title can be obtained, Congress has approved the Panama route for an isthmian canal. President Roosevelt can select the exact route and appoint a seven member canal commission to oversee construction. If a title cannot be obtained, a route through Nicaragua can still be pursued.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-26
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09
Allan Campbell Bakewell has read the draft of resolutions and he offers suggestions on them and the impact the resolutions will have on the Grand Army of the Republic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-20
Secretary of State Hay informs President Roosevelt of his travel plans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-22
Secretary of State Hay signed the Panama treaty and will announce the news tomorrow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-22