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Joseph Bucklin Bishop, the secretary to the Isthmian Canal Commission, has failed to get further information about the conduct of Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee, the Minister Plenipotentiary in Guatemala.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-27
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports on the health of Minister to Guatemala Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee. Lee is suffering from alcoholism and has not been in good health. Recently he lied about his condition while he was hospitalized. Bishop has heard numerous reports about Lee’s conduct prior to his assignments in Guatemala, and none mentioned that he was unable to perform his duties. However, the one report out of Guatemala is that he is a chronic drunk who cannot carry out his responsibilities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-20
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, Secretary to the Isthmian Canal Commission, asks President Roosevelt when he will issue the medals he had promised American employees the last time he had visited the Canal Zone, remarking that their work has noticeably improved since his visit. Bishop is shocked to hear of Charles T. Barney’s death by suicide following his forced resignation from the Knickerbocker Trust Company and considers it a “lesson of consequences of the craze for wealth.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-28
Secretary to the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop recounts an encounter he had with Charles T. Barney, the deposed president of the Knickerbocker Trust Company who recently died of a self inflicted wound, the previous summer. Barney remarked that if President Roosevelt were to run for a third term, “he will get none of my money!” causing Bishop to observe the overlap between wealthy Americans and Roosevelt’s opposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-20
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, introduces Consul General Arnold Shanklin and testifies for his character. He asks William Loeb to show Shanklin courtesy while on leave in Washington, D. C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-13
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, recounts the Congressional Appropriations Committee’s visit to the Panama Canal Zone and offers several suggestions for how to improve government operations in the Canal Zone. The committee members are enthusiastic about the project and were highly impressed by the abilities and knowledge of George W. Goethals, Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, but were disappointed by Canal Zone Governor Joseph C. S. Blackburn’s abilities. Bishop candidly admits to feeling similarly about Blackburn and encourages President Roosevelt to send Goethals to speak before Congress on the proceedings of the Canal project instead. Bishop also discusses the General Counsel for the Canal Zone Richard R. Rogers, who had criticized the Commission’s operations in a way which demonstrated an intolerable ignorance of the situation and a disloyalty to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-13
Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop sends President Roosevelt a rough draft of talking points he can use in his message about the Panama Canal. Bishop also includes a detailed description of the canal’s progress, as well as his evaluation of some other members of the Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-16
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports to President Roosevelt on the status of the construction and workers at the Panama Canal. The social discontent following Chief Engineer John F. Stevens’s departure has primarily resolved, and Colonel George W. Goethals has proved himself a capable replacement. Bishop attended his first Isthmian Canal Commission meeting and finds its members “able and intelligent,” and “actively engaged.” At the current pace, excavation will be complete in five to six years, and construction of the dam and lock can commence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-18
Joseph Bucklin Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his arrival to the Canal Zone. Colonel George W. Goethals, chief engineer and chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, welcomed him and looked forward to Bishop’s aid. Bishop reports that the work is progressing “splendidly,” and it appears the dissatisfaction among the workers has been resolved. Excited by what he sees, Bishop thanks Roosevelt for sending him. He closes by describing his proposed semi-weekly newspaper for the “regular dissemination of accurate information about the canal.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-13
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports on the general feeling of the people he has recently met regarding a third term for President Roosevelt. In Falmouth, Massachusetts, there are many men of wealth touring the country, and they all support Roosevelt unequivocally. One Boston merchant said Roosevelt must run for another term because the people will have no one else, and that no one knows or cares about William H. Taft. A “retired Chicago millionaire” has been trying to convince his peers that Roosevelt stands “between them and destruction.” Bishop says that no president since George Washington has had such faith from the people. Bishop bids farewell to Roosevelt, as he is leaving soon for Panama, and tells the president not to forget him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-28
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends a newspaper article to Rudolph Forster to give to President Roosevelt. Bishop is sailing for Panama soon, and invites Forster to visit the Panama Canal sometime.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-01
Joseph Bucklin Bishop tells William Loeb that he is leaving for Panama and suggests that Loeb will have the full share of media attention in his absence. Bishop offers to get Loeb a souvenir if he wants one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-04
Joseph Bucklin Bishop tells President Roosevelt that he has been meeting with “leaders of thought” in New York who assert that Roosevelt’s unpopularity in the city has never been so great. The leaders said that they like Secretary of War William H. Taft but doubt if he can be nominated for the presidency because he is “too much of a Roosevelt man.” They speak favorably of Charles Evans Hughes, who they say is “the antithesis of Roosevelt,” particularly in railroad matters, but Bishop feels that characterization is a hindrance to Hughes. Bishop also addresses allegations that Roosevelt is mentally unstable. Dismissing their negativity as those of an “incurably blind crowd of provincials,” Bishop concludes that those who are against Roosevelt cannot be reasoned with.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-14
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt a clipping of a comment William Jennings Bryan made about New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Bishop notes the New York Herald left out a part of the comment and the Times did not report it at all, saying the newspapers are trying to get rid of views they do not like. Bishop relates an amusing encounter with Austen G. Fox in New York, saying he tried to appease the “Wall St. ostriches” while at the same time trying to impress Bishop by referring to Roosevelt by his first name and telling “rubbishy anecdotes.” Fox thought he got away with this ruse, and Bishop calls him a “skate.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-20
The Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, informs President Roosevelt that the missing memorandum has arrived. Bishop informs Roosevelt that Chief Engineer Stevens will have the arrangements for feeding laborers at Culebra complete by January 1, and that he will concrete the floors in all of the labor camp kitchens. Bishop also sends Roosevelt rainfall statistics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-05
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, sends President Roosevelt a memorandum and a report containing testimony before a Senate committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-03
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, will be giving a speech to the Merchants’ Club of Boston, Massachusetts, regarding the construction of the Panama Canal. He is upset at recent comments by Senator Tillman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-16
Joseph Bucklin Bishop discusses his reaction to President Roosevelt’s correspondence with Carl Schurz. Schurz has been challenging Roosevelt consistently, since the time of the Spanish American War up to the last campaign. According to Bishop, Roosevelt has always had the argument on his side.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-04
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to William Loeb to discuss travel plans and where his letters should be redirected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-03
Joseph Bucklin Bishop writes to President Roosevelt, saying he believes he has “quieted the senator.” Bishop also attaches a small newspaper clipping to his letter, which mentions Roosevelt’s involvement with the Japanese-Russian peace negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-31