William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Creator
Identifier
Date
Description
Source
Subject
Relation
Text
I enclose a copy of a telegram from Bogotá. I authorized Mr. Thompson to make a formal offer of fifteen millions. You will notice that his offer begins with an expression of regret “that anything should have occurred to mar in any way whatsoever the close and traditional friendship which so long existed, etc.”While I think that such an expression of regret as framed would not be construed as an attempt to apologise for the action of a former administration or to disapprove of it and while I think that we should go as far as we can without expressing disapproval, I have wondered whether this expression as is framed, might be misconstrued just as you would like it.As this will be preserved down there as a public document and may be printed, it occurs to me that you might prefer to write it over so that it will represent your ideas exactly.
After conferring with the Colombian Minister, I am disposed to make the offer twenty millions rather than fifteen, since they refused to consider fifteen when put in the form of an inquiry. They know that we expect to offer more than the fifteen and that this is simply the beginning of the naegotiations. Please let me have your idea as to the language of the offer.
With assurances of respect, etc., I am, my dear Mr. President,
WJ Bryan
The President,
The White House.