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A letter to the editor, written by Philippe Bunau-Varilla, discussing a previous article, which Bunau-Varilla believed had misrepresented his work on the Panama Canal project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-19
A drawing depicting the longitudinal profile of the Panama Canal route is accompanied by a memorandum from Philippe Bunau-Varilla discussing the aims of the project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-30
Philippe Bunau-Varilla writes to the board of consulting engineers to propose solutions to the Panama Canal construction. He discusses the dominating factors of the “Panama problem,” namely the future necessity of a sea-level canal and the availability of comparable projects to use as reference points. Examining the topography of the adjacent waterways, he provides justification for placing dams at Gamboa and Bohio to help with flood control of the Chagres River and with the storage of water for dry seasons. He then dispenses with problem of the Culebra cut, which he does not see as “the controlling factor” of the construction. In the third part of his report, Bunau-Varilla rebuts the view of Chief Engineer John F. Wallace and others by arguing that, without interruption to international navigation, a canal built with locks can be gradually transformed into a sea-level waterway if the dimensions of the channel bottom are increased from 150 feet to 300 feet. He goes on to explain the logistics of that future transformation and the costs involved. Feeling he has satisfied “all the enormous interests involved,” Bunau-Varilla concludes by arguing that his plan offers the fastest and safest solution that “affords the required ample and permanent communication between the oceans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-15
Philippe Bunau-Varilla, an engineer of the Panama Canal, writes to the New York Evening Post to clarify publicly why he dropped his libel lawsuit against the newspaper. As Bunau-Varilla counters recent negative remarks made by the Post, he recounts his role in the Panama Canal’s construction, discusses the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair, and asserts that he is indifferent to further attacks from this newspaper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-31
Philippe Bunau-Varilla, French engineer and diplomat, writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Panama Canal and public opinion. Bunau-Varilla strongly emphasizes the importance of canal construction and public perception as it related to Roosevelt’s decision making. Bunau-Varilla also discusses where Roosevelt’s enemies will try to attack his reputation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-25
To settle a difference of opinion between members of the Panama Canal board regarding which locks to use in the canal, Philippe Bunau-Varilla tells President Roosevelt that the French engineer Mr. Laffan is willing to help with a decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25
Philipe Bunau-Varilla sends a clipping to President Roosevelt to inform him that somebody leaked the details of a private meeting with Roosevelt. Bunau-Varilla also urges Roosevelt to meet with William MacKay Laffan on the subject of the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-23
Philippe Bunau-Varilla is sending President Roosevelt a letter of great importance regarding the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-26
Bunau-Varilla details some of the plan of the Panama Project , as it came to be, to President Roosevelt.
Included are measurements (depth, width etc.), techniques, prices, time schedule, etc.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-26
Philippe Bunau-Varilla writes to President Roosevelt to discuss the Board of Consulting Engineers for the Panama Canal project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-19
Phillippe Bunau-Varilla writes to William Loeb to say he will accept President Roosevelt’s dinner invitation and asks if Roosevelt will be willing to discuss Panama with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-05
Philippe Bunau-Varilla thanks President Roosevelt for his kind reception of Jules Hedeman, journalist for Le Matin. Bunau-Varilla also tells Roosevelt that as soon as he arrives in New York on September 5, he will put himself at the disposal of the Panama Canal Commission. He proposes a few questions to be posed to the Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-10
Philippe Bunau-Varilla introduces Jules Hedeman. Bunau-Varilla also lets President Roosevelt know that France is looking forward to a rapprochement with the United States through the press and that France is sending Navy ships to help in the John Paul Jones celebrations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-25
Philippe Bunau-Varilla requests that the enclosed letter be delivered to the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-18
Philippe Bunau-Varilla writes to John Hay with detailed explanations for portions of the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (Panama Canal Treaty) to be amended; he gives three main points of clarification for the Treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-19
Philippe Bunau-Varilla quotes a paragraph from a letter he received from Foreign Minister de la Espriella Navarro stating that the United States did not offer aid or intervention before the outbreak of the Panamanian Revolution on November 3, 1903.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-07
Philippe Bunau-Varilla sends excerpts from editorials in the Colombian publication El Relator that trace the roots of Panamanian separatism to Colombia’s oppressive policies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-07