I went into this research process with fairly low expectations about how many primary sources I would find. I assumed I would mostly come across Hollander’s academic writing and not much informal, personal, or opinion-based material that could help me understand his thinking and decision-making. In some ways, that expectation was accurate, but it also changed as I worked through the sources. While I did not find much in the way of personal correspondence or diaries, I did find a wide range of primary sources beyond his own writing such as newspapers and congressional documents. These sources helped fill in gaps and provided context for his work. At the same time, I found that even his academic writing could be useful for identifying elements of his personal perspective. By doing close reading and paying attention to context, I was able to pull out some of his underlying opinions, even when he was trying to write in a more objective and factual way. I also saved a lot of time by returning to sources I had already bookmarked during my secondary source research, which made this phase more efficient.

I began my research with a structured brainstorming process. Drawing on Herring’s From Colony to Superpower as well as prior knowledge of Hollander, I identified several broad themes that might frame his life and work. I also compiled a list of outstanding questions, key figures associated with him, and relevant topics from class discussions, with particular attention to the first decade of the twentieth century. This step proved incredibly helpful in the long-run. Not only did it prepare me to thoughtfully analyze the sources as I read them, but it also made my research more productive by shaping the direction of my final paper.

The next stage involved reviewing the primary sources I had previously collected from databases such as JSTOR, Jumpstart, the New York Times archives, and Google Books. Although I initially expected this process to be relatively quick, I was pleasantly surprised at the value I found in many of the 15 sources I had saved. Among them was Hollander’s article, “Mandeville in the Twentieth Century: A Correction,” which, while not directly related to my central topic, offered revealing insight into his personality and the way in which he responds to critique. Another significant source was the House and Senate document Debt of Santo Domingo, a roughly 200-page report prepared by Hollander in 1905. It contains a lot of the preparatory work that was needed in order to move forward with legislation and eventually reach the 1907 Convention between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. I also examined a 1907 article in which Hollander directly analyzes this convention, as well as a later piece titled “Dominican Republic.” These last two sources revealed his vision for the Dominican Republic and demonstrated how U.S. intervention was framed as neutral, scientific assistance rather than regional dominance and control.

Debt of Santo Domingo (ProQuest)

I was unable to find relevant materials through The Avalon Project at Yale Law School, and a closer examination of FRUS did not provide sources of particular significance for my project. However, I did find the Jacob Harry Hollander Papers housed in the Johns Hopkins University libraries. I was super excited to find this collection when I saw it contained correspondence between Hollander and significant people I had noted prior such as his secretary, Otto Schoenrich, and President Theodore Roosevelt. It also contains a handful of writings, speeches, and subject files. Unfortunately, the materials are stored off-site and require advance notice for access, which prevented me from consulting them during this phase of research. I intend to look further into this collection as I continue developing my paper.

Finally, I turned to newspaper databases, including those of the Library of Congress and ProQuest. Through keyword searches for “Hollander” and “Santo Domingo,” I identified several particularly useful articles, including “PROF. HOLLANDER SUCCEEDS,” “PROFESSOR HOLLANDER REPORTS,” and “NEW DOMINICAN PACT.” These sources revealed patterns in coverage, with frequent attention to Hollander’s travel, his negotiations with European creditors, and a minor controversy regarding his pay. The reporting on his interactions with European creditors was especially interesting, as it highlighted the complex diplomatic juggling he managed and the range of stakeholders he was dealt with, including the U.S. government, European powers, and Dominican officials.

Evening star (Washington, D.C.), April 2, 1910 (LOC)

Overall, while some gaps remain, this research process has deepened my understanding of how Jacob Hollander thought about his work, his personality, and the kinds of challenges he was facing. I would have liked to find more personal, private writing, other than what he wrote publicly that might have given more insight into his personal beliefs and decision-making. Still, I was surprised by how useful the sources I had already set aside turned out to be, and I can already see my paper beginning to take shape.

Bibliography

Debt of Santo Domingo. Congressional Document. 1905. [PROQUEST]

Hollander, Jacob H. 1907. “The Convention of 1907 Between the United States and the Dominican Republic.” The American Journal of International Law (New York, USA) 1 (2): 287–96. [JSTOR]

Hollander, Jacob H. 1916. “Dominican Republic.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science(Los Angeles, CA) 68 (1): 176–176. [JSTOR]

Hollander, Jacob H. 1918. “‘Mandeville in the Twentieth Century’: A Correction.” The American Economic Review(Nashville) 8 (2): 338–39. [JSTOR]

“NEW DOMINICAN PACT: Signed by Minister Dawson at Island Capital. Will Be Rushed to Senate State Department Hopes Convention, Designed as Substitute for That Pending, Will Be Confirmed at Present Session. Provides for Issue of Bonds to Santo Domingo’s Creditors.” The Washington Post (1877–1922), February 5, 1907. [PROQUEST]

“PROF. HOLLANDER SUCCEEDS: Foreign Creditors of Santo Domingo Agree to Adjustment Plan.” New York Times(1857–1922), November 8, 1906. [PROQUEST]

“PROFESSOR HOLLANDER REPORTS.” Boston Advocate (1905–1909), May 26, 1905. [PROQUEST]