Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft
Subject(s): Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928, Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924, Panama--Panama Canal, Ships--Purchasing, United States. Congress, United States. War Department, United States. War Dept., Wright, Luke E. (Luke Edward), 1846-1922
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President Roosevelt informs President-Elect Taft about a “scrape” regarding ships that Congress authorized to have purchased for the Panama Canal against the wishes of Chief Engineer George W. Goethals. The ship owners insist that the War Department approved the bill’s passage with knowledge that Goethals protested. Secretary of War Luke E. Wright is reluctant to sign off on something that is a mere promise, and not a direction, from Congress against the wishes of canal officials. Roosevelt asks Taft to see Wright and himself, if necessary, to explain what he said on the matter when he was Secretary of War.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-11-23
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
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 William H. Taft. [November 23, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205362. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft. [23 Nov. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205362.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1908, November 23]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205362.
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.
