Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. O’Brien
Subject(s): Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction, Employees--Appointment, qualifications, tenure, etc., Employment references, Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.), Nepotism, O'Brien, Edward Charles, 1860-1927, Political ethics, Walker, John Grimes, 1835-1907
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President Roosevelt contacted Admiral Walker regarding a Panama Canal position for John F. O’Brien’s brother. Unfortunately, the Isthmian Canal Commission may have been influenced by press reports that an appointment for O’Brien’s brother was being pursued for only political reasons. Walker stated that he did not believe his brother was suitable for secretary. The commission makes all appointments and everyone should remember that the canal should be built without regard to politics.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-03-14
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. O’Brien. [March 14, 1904]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o187577. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. O’Brien. [14 Mar. 1904]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o187577.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1904, March 14]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. O’Brien.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o187577.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
