Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop asks Theodore Roosevelt his opinion on Charles Dewey Hilles’s statement. He heard from an official’s wife that Helen Herron Taft hosts gambling bridge parties at the White House, which he finds hard to believe. Bishop congratulates Roosevelt on becoming a grandparent and thanks him for being “the best friend” their son, Farnham Bishop, “ever had.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-28

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

After reading Theodore Roosevelt’s editorial comment on Hayden Talbot’s article in The Outlook, Joseph Bucklin Bishop says that he read Talbot’s article on the Panama Canal before it was published. He tried to get him to change the statements that Roosevelt criticized, but he left them in. Bishop believes that the change in leadership at the canal will be pleasing to Colonel George W. Goethals. Bishop hopes to see Roosevelt before he sails for Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-19

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop wonders if Theodore Roosevelt might be able to join him and Robert W. Goelet for dinner on June 15, and perhaps convince Henry L. Stimson to join as well. If he is not busy, Bishop requests that Roosevelt send him a note to The Brotzell in New York. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-24

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop did not receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter until General Ian Hamilton left. However, George W. Goethals, Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, showed Hamilton most of the work. Bishop is touched that Roosevelt remembered his longing for the northern spring. He will inform Roosevelt when he and his wife, Harriet Hartwell Bishop, arrive in New York City, and they can have a “good talk.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-24

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the “grateful and sustaining words” given at Harvard. Colonel George W. Goethals is also pleased with Roosevelt’s tribute to Bishop and wishes he could appoint him as his executive officer. However, President William H. Taft thought it unwise but assured Bishop of a worthy position once he ensured the bill abolishing the Isthmian Canal Commission passed. Yet, like with most of his promises, Taft changed his mind, and the bill will not be passed. Bishop discusses the disturbing reports of political scheming regarding appointing a new commissioner and governor of the Canal Zone. Goethals declared such things would not happen if Roosevelt were president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-02

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop calls Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary’s attention to his proper mailing address.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-02

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports widespread pleasure at Theodore Roosevelt’s remarks in his Omaha speech about the canal. Colonel George W. Goethals hopes Roosevelt will visit Panama and renew the public’s interest in the canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-09-26

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop hopes Theodore Roosevelt will visit Colonel George W. Goethals while he is in the United States. He shares an amusing telegram from President William H. Taft to Minister Thomas Cleland Dawson, saying he wants to visit Panama since the canal is “the great work of my administration.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-09-28

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop thanks President Roosevelt for his constant support, and says that if Roosevelt is satisfied with his work, then he does not mind criticism from other parties. Work on the Panama Canal is proceeding smoothly and at a faster pace than was initially thought possible, for which he gives credit to Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission George W. Goethals. Bishop blames irresponsible reporting for reopening an argument about whether a canal with locks or a sea level canal is better, but believes the upcoming visit by President-Elect William H. Taft should help settle the debate. Bishop approves of Roosevelt’s denunciations of journalists William MacKay Laffand and Joseph Pulitzer, and says that it is important to fight against “lying and debased journalism.” Bishop’s wife, Harriet Hartwell Bishop, appreciates being remembered by Roosevelt, and he praises her strength in remaining sanguine during their long residency away from the United States. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop effusively praises and celebrates President Roosevelt’s political victory. In particular, Bishop is proud of how Roosevelt triumphed over the press and his political rivals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-08

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop wrote Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about the controversy surrounding Harry H. Rousseau’s marriage for her amusement, not thinking it would reach President Roosevelt in an official matter. However, now officials have asked for Rousseau’s resignation because he married “Miss S.” against her parents’ wishes. Bishop speaks of Rousseau’s good conduct and quality, and explains that the treatment of Miss S. by her parents was cruel and “inhuman,” and that Rousseau had no choice but to marry without her parents’ consent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-27

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-20

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-28

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-20

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-13

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-13

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-16

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-18

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13