Luis Muñoz Rivera's 1901 letter to President William McKinley.

What happened to Puerto Rico's political institutions after the United States invaded the island in 1898?

In this special episode of Puerto Rico: Open Your Eyes, co-host José Montañez turns the tables and interviews Edwin Ortiz about an extraordinary primary source from this critical period in Puerto Rican history: Luis Muñoz Rivera's 1901 letter to President William McKinley.

Muñoz Rivera had participated at the highest level of Puerto Rico's autonomous government before the change of sovereignty. In his letter, published in The Puerto Rico Herald on July 13, 1901, he delivered a powerful criticism of the political system established under the Foraker Act and compared it directly with the autonomous institutions Puerto Rico had exercised under Spain.

What did Puerto Rico actually possess politically before 1898? What changed afterward? Why did Muñoz Rivera believe Puerto Rico had lost important elements of self-government? And how did Puerto Rican leaders respond to American rule through political, journalistic, constitutional, and diplomatic means?

José and Edwin examine some of the most significant passages from the letter, discuss the historical context surrounding them, and—most importantly—encourage listeners to examine the original documents and reach their own conclusions.

Read the documents. Ask questions. Compare the evidence. And keep your eyes open.

HISTORICAL SOURCES

The Puerto Rico Herald — Library of Congress The Library of Congress catalog confirms that The Puerto Rico Herald began with its first issue on July 13, 1901, was edited by Luis Muñoz Rivera, and was published in both English and Spanish.

The Puerto Rico Herald — Library of Congress

Obras Completas de Luis Muñoz Rivera — Volume II (1925) Campañas Políticas, 1901–1916, compiled by Luis Muñoz Marín and published by Editorial Puerto Rico in Madrid. This digitized volume preserves Muñoz Rivera's writings from the period discussed in this episode.

Read Volume II — Library of Congress digital copy

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