Telegram from John F. Stevens to William H. Taft
Subject(s): African American criminals, Canal construction workers, Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction, Convict labor, Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.), Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Panama--Culebra (Chilibre), Panama--Panama Canal, Press coverage, Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919, United States. War Department, United States. War Dept.
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John F. Stevens writes to Secretary of War Taft that news has reached Panama that steam shovels and men are coming to “make dirt fly.” Stevens warns that careful organization is needed, especially if they use the labor of southern African American prisoners.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-01-31
Creator(s)
Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943
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
1
Production Method
Record Type
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:
Telegram from John F. Stevens to William H. Taft. [January 31, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55439. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943. Telegram from John F. Stevens to William H. Taft. [31 Jan. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55439.
APA:
Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943., [1907, January 31]. Telegram from John F. Stevens to William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55439.
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.
