Your TR Source
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Taft to thank William Nelson Cromwell for his “service to the nation” in negotiations with Colombia regarding payment for the Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-21
President Roosevelt forwards Chairman Shonts a letter from W. H. Needham containing statements from machinists at the Canal Zone regarding complaints about their treatment. Roosevelt tells Shonts and Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that they must get past their natural “impatience with complaints” and judge the issue evenly as government employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-10
Edward Thompson thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his reply but regrets he can’t follow his advice. He hopes Roosevelt will still help fix what he sees as an unfair situation in the Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends President Roosevelt two copies of the second edition of “The Canal Record,” which he says gives more space to information that interests canal employees. The paper has been well-received, but Bishop does not believe it needs to include Roosevelt’s suggestion for American news because there are already plenty of American newspapers available to canal workers. Bishop thanks Roosevelt for his telegram and mentions that he included it in “The Canal Record.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-12
Joseph Bucklin Bishop informs President Roosevelt of a situation in the Panama Canal Zone beyond the scope of canal construction. Bishop describes how the executive order signed on November 17 virtually abolished the office of Governor and conferred power on the General Counsel, creating a bad situation in which General Counsel Richard Reid Rogers took advantage of his new power. When Secretary of War Taft visited in March, he issued a new executive order to address this situation, conferring the majority of government power on the chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission and acted on by the governor of the Panama Canal Zone, Joseph C.S. Blackburn. Bishop states that Blackburn is doing excellent work and is well-respected, unlike Rogers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Responding to a request from President Roosevelt, John Barrett details his analysis and his involvement in a number of matters of international relations regarding Colombia, Panama, and South America generally, as well as Japan and China. He responds to the president’s concerns that he has been “too much in the papers.” He also suggests that Roosevelt visit South America at some future time after leaving the presidency. Such a visit would strengthen ties and would prepare Roosevelt for handling international affairs, should the nation again select him for the presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Justice Kyle responded to Secretary of War Taft’s request that he resign his position as Justice of the Supreme Court, in the Canal Zone. Kyle also wrote rebuttal comments to the allegations about his poor performance of duty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-17
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the touching letter from a friend on the Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains to T. L. Clear that, due to the thousands of invitations he receives, Roosevelt is unable to accept Clear’s invitation to speak at the Y.M.C.A.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-06
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Mason Mitchell’s letter and sent it to his son Kermit in Buenos Aries. Roosevelt wishes he could have Mason transferred to the Canal Zone, but he has no power in the current administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt thanks The Society of the Chagres through Thomas M. Cooke for the honor they conferred upon him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-23
President Roosevelt writes a letter of introduction to Joseph C. S. Blackburn the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, for United States Representative Le Gage Pratt, who will be visiting Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-10
President Roosevelt tells chief engineer of the Panama Canal project Stevens to delay in making a decision about Sullivan until the president can meet with Stevens in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-04
President Roosevelt tells Edward J. Williams that he regrets being unable to accept the party invitation of the Benedict Club at the new Isthmian Canal Commission Hotel in the Panama Canal Zone. He thanks Williams for the silver invitation card and wishes the club well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-03
President Roosevelt explains to Horace G. Knowles the need for a Spanish-speaking minister to Panama and details to the various roles of the governor, ministership, and commission there. Roosevelt hopes to announce Knowles appointment before the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-08
President Roosevelt hopes the movement mentioned by Representative Gardner will have some effect. Most of Roosevelt’s information indicates that the political movement to restrict immigration proved harmful. Gardner’s fight with Senator George A. Schofield concerns Roosevelt, as does Samuel Gompers’s attitude.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
President Roosevelt asks Isthmian Canal Commission Chairman Shonts to read the enclosed letter from Commissioner West. Roosevelt wants to give “young colored men who do their duty” a chance and would like Shonts to allow some Black engineers to go work on the Isthmus. He asks if Shonts would object to Roosevelt writing Chief Engineer John F. Stevens about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-22
President Roosevelt introduces General Davis, the newly appointed governor of the Panama Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
Edward Thompson, a self-described “staunch supporter” of Theodore Roosevelt, discusses how the privileged American children in the Panama Canal Zone are educated at the expense of the masses, which goes against the “square deal.” He brings the matter to Roosevelt out of altruism. Thompson does not want the press to handle it for fear of tarnishing America’s global reputation and the possibility of “adverse criticism of American equity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
On behalf of Sojourners Lodge #874, Clinton G. Carty invites President Taft to attend the cornerstone laying of a new Masonic Temple at Cristobal, Canal Zone, Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-03