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President Roosevelt informs Colonel Goethals that he is sending Secretary of War Taft to Panama with engineers to work on the Gatun Dam. Roosevelt offers his opinions about the Dam and maintains that he cares most about building the Panama Canal according to the best and safest plans.
1908-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt introduces George W. Goethals to George Palmer Putnam, who is on his way home to Oregon with his newly wed wife. Putman is the son of John Bishop Putnam, an old friend of Roosevelt’s, and a nephew of George Haven Putnam. Roosevelt does not know Putnam personally but is willing to guarantee that Putnam is as straight as a string knowing his father and uncle. Putnam wishes to see what is happening on the Isthmus and wants to know the present status of the engineering, social, and political matters. Roosevelt appreciates any help he can give Putnam.
Theodore Roosevelt introduces George W. Goethals to George Palmer Putnam, who is on his way home to Oregon with his newly wed wife. While Roosevelt does not personally know Putnam, he is acquainted with his father and his uncle and believes that Putnam is just as trustworthy as his relatives. Putnam wishes to see what is happening on the Isthmus and wants to know the present status of the engineering, social, and political matters.
Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928
2021-07-22
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
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President Roosevelt sends a copy of the Panama Canal report to Colonel Goethals, chairman and chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Roosevelt congratulates Goethals and requests that he implement the commission’s recommendations and, if unable to do so, report to Roosevelt with the reasons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Charles A. Moore to George W. Goethals of the Isthmian Canal Commission, and asks if Fred L. Hartigan can be given another trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt congratulates Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission Goethals and the men at work on the canal for their progress during the rainy month of August.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-05
President Roosevelt requests Colonel Goethals, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, review sociologist Gertrude Beeks’s report and work to resolve the worker safety issues mentioned. Roosevelt counsels that good management only remains so “by constant and alert activity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
President Roosevelt urges Colonel Goethals to appoint Captain Putnam Bradlee Strong, son of former New York Mayor William Lafayette Strong, to the position he is seeking.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-26
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-04
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928
2025-01-30
Letter of introduction for Colonel J. H. Patterson of the British Army. Patterson distinguished himself in South Africa and wrote “the very best book on lion hunting.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-09
Theodore Roosevelt introduces his cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt, senator of New York, to George W. Goethals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt introduces Colonel Goethals to George Henry Payne who is going to Panama to collect information for a book. Roosevelt attests to Payne’s trustworthiness and assures that he will not misconstrue Goethals’s words. He asks Goethals to introduce Payne to Joseph Bucklin Bishop.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the inscription George W. Goethals wrote in the Panama Canal pamphlet Goethals sent that he has had it bound. Roosevelt is very proud to have Goethals connected with his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt tells Governor of the Canal Zone Goethals about Lawrence Abbott’s plans to have Arthur Bullard (also known as Albert Edwards) act as a representative for The Outlook and write articles about the Panama Canal. Roosevelt asks Goethals to assist Bullard where possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes a letter of introduction for Mary Alice Ford Armstrong and Elizabeth Whitwell Tudor to Colonel Goethals. Roosevelt asks Goethals to make sure the women see the “things that ought to be seen in Panama.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-26
President Roosevelt introduces Colonel Goethals to one of his Rough Riders wishing to work on the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-18
President Roosevelt informs Chairman Goethals that Sir Harry Johnston, an English Colonial Administrator, will be visiting the Panama Canal. Roosevelt would like Goethals to show Johnston “everything in connection with the canal.” Roosevelt suggests William H. Taft may like to accompany Johnston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-28
President Roosevelt tells George W. Goethals that his letter is exactly what he expected, and that while he did not believe that things were bad at the Panama Canal, he likes to make sure of things. He will forward Goethals’s letter to president-elect William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-04
President Roosevelt informs George W. Goethals that he plans to send William H. Taft to visit the Panama Canal zone early in 1909, along with several engineers, to investigate the matter of the Gatun dam. Many rumors currently exist in opposition to the construction of the Gatun dam, but Roosevelt tells Goethals that he is not beholden to anything but completing the canal in the safest and best manner. Roosevelt additionally tells Goethals that he would like to send a man named William Stickney to Panama to work on the canal, and asks if there is a position where Stickney might be able to show his merits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-13
The information President Roosevelt has received corroborated reports he already had. Reports on the Panama Canal’s construction and engineering are overwhelmingly positive, while those on the living and subsistence conditions of the workers are poor. Roosevelt fears they are on the verge of an “ugly scandal” in this regard and recommends taking up the measures outlined by Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt thinks it would be wise for George W. Goethals to ask for the resignation of Jackson Smith and put General William Penn Duvall in charge of labor and quarters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-16