William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

Title

William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

Identifier

WWP17973

Date

1913 August 26

Source

Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

Subject

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Text

My dear Mr. President

Senator Bacon telephoned to-day to lay before me two things which he thought you ought to consider. He thinks that your message ought to hold out a prospect or a promise of something more than you now propose,-- that is, he thinks that there should be something in there like thisWhile we are awaiting developments before deciding upon the course to be pursued in case order is not restored, we shall, &c., &c.,stating the things that you mention. He says he has talked with Senators and that, while he thinks you will have a majority of the Senate with you, he believes there will be some opposition upon the idea that nothing definite and final is suggested or spoken of as being held in reserve. I told him that I supposed these suggestions came from those who wanted intervention and wanted a threat of it put in the message. He insisted that, while they would be the most outspoken against your program, that some who did not want intervention except as a last resort were not entirely satisfied.
During the course of his conversation, he referred to the matter of arms and seemed to go back to his former position, which was substantially the same as Borah took last night. He also reported one “conservative” Senator as saying that he did not believe that the sympathy of European Governments would be with us. I think that the Senator is unduly alarmed, but I comply with his request and lay the matter before you for your consideration.
I enclose a note which I have just received from the War Department, communicating a cable which they have received from Burnside, who is the Military Attaché at the Embassy. He doubtless has reference to the note sent to the Mexican Government by Lind yesterday.
We have received nothing to-day, not even a despatch announcing that Lind has left for Vera Cruz, although the press despatches so report. I shall see that you receive promptly anything that comes during the evening.

With assurances of respect, etc .,
I am, my dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
WJ Bryan


The President,
The White House.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Temp00473.pdf

Tags

Citation

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, “William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson,” 1913 August 26, WWP17973, First Year Wilson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.