William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

The Colombian Minister is very anxious that we shall make a counter proposition before the Congress adjourns. It took a recess for a few days and is to adjourn, I believe, about the last of this month.
You have the papers in the case and in our conversation over the telephone you expressed a willingness to have the first article of the treaty changed as suggested by Mr. Moore, the change retaining the word “regret.” I am very glad that this is agreeable to you, for I think we can properly make that concession.The Minister here feels hopeful that twenty–five millions will be accepted, together with the present boundary, provided the concessions as to the Canal can be satisfactorily agreed upon.
I know you are very busy, but I think the papers that you have contain a memorandum by Mr. Moore covering the various concessions asked and I believe that you can in a few minutes satisfy yourself that the concessions as phrased by Mr. Moore are reasonable. If you can find time to examine them and to send the papers back with your opinion on the same, I think we can take up this question with a prospect of an early conclusion.