Letter from Alfred Noble to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction, Freeman, John Ripley, 1855-1932, Governmental investigations, McCrea, James, 1848-1913, Panama, Panama--Panama Canal, Railroad tunnels--Design and construction, Randolph, Isham, 1848-1920, Rea, Samuel, 1855-1929, Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919, Smith, Jackson, 1862-1910, Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943
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Alfred Nobel has considered President Roosevelt’s wish for him to travel to Panama to inspect the canal there, but does not believe he can in good conscience leave his current project in its current conditions. Nobel does not believe there is any new information that would change his opinion that building the Panama canal with locks is preferable to a sea level canal. He agrees with the views of Major Cassius E. Gillette, and suggests adding John Ripley Freeman or Isham Randolph to the proposed board of engineers. Nobel does not believe that any of the names suggested by Theodore P. Shonts, John F. Stevens, or Jackson Smith would strengthen the board, although they are all capable engineers.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-22
Creator(s)
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
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 Alfred Noble to Theodore Roosevelt. [December 22, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59837. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Noble, Alfred, 1844-1914. Letter from Alfred Noble to Theodore Roosevelt. [22 Dec. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59837.
APA:
Noble, Alfred, 1844-1914., [1908, December 22]. Letter from Alfred Noble to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59837.
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.
