Letter from Herbert Wolcott Bowen to John Hay
Herbert Wolcott Bowen reports on President Castro’s “disregard of his duties and obligations to foreigners and to foreign Nations.” Bowen describes the French minister’s meeting to show that Castro is “a man without any sense of honor or dignity” and to argue that the United States should insist on having an umpire named if they plan to propose an arbitration. Bowen believes that Castro “should be given a severe lesson” and that the use of force is necessary, outlining a plan to seize two custom houses. Bowen informs Secretary of State Hay that he will take a short vacation unless Hay wants to immediately defend the rights of the Asphalt Company.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-08-21