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Philippe Bunau-Varilla thanks President Roosevelt for his kind reception of Jules Hedeman, journalist for Le Matin. Bunau-Varilla also tells Roosevelt that as soon as he arrives in New York on September 5, he will put himself at the disposal of the Panama Canal Commission. He proposes a few questions to be posed to the Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-10
Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt concerning the recommendation by John Findley Wallace that John Lundie be appointed to the Consulting Board of Experts on the Isthmian Canal Commission. Taft believes that Lundie’s reputation alone does not justify this, and is suspicious of the lengths to which Wallace is going in order to get Lundie apointed, as Wallace has been contacting everyone connected with the commission. Taft surmises that there is some ulterior motive in getting Lundie appointed and cannot recommend him to the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Canal Commission, Secretary of War Taft requests that Attorney General Moody formulate rules and restrictions regarding the employment of Asian laborers in the Canal Zone. Taft is concerned that the practice of contract labor does not “bring about a condition of peonage under the authority of the United States.” Taft has already advised the Committee to ignore political considerations in the hiring of Asian laborers because it is obvious that without those laborers work on the Canal would be delayed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-15
Ambassador Sternburg informs President Roosevelt that German Emperor William II will send an expert for the new Isthmian Canal Commission. Sternburg also encloses a clipping that provides an update about the “Morocco affair,” which suggests that the Kaiser is bluffing about his concerns in Morocco to cover his plan to absorb the Netherlands. Finally, Sternburg expresses surprise at the success of Russian Admiral Zinoviĭ Petrovich Rozhestvenskiĭ in reaching Singapore.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-09
German Ambassador Sternburg is delighted to hear of President Roosevelt’s success while hunting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He sent Roosevelt’s message to German Emperor William II, who proposes sending Tincayos, a canal expert, as a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Emperor William II will also send six railway experts for the upcoming conference. Sternburg reports on possible future events of the Russo-Japanese War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-21
Secretary of War Taft offers a detailed account of how to proceed with the building of the Panama Canal. Taft discusses the physical, governing, political, and economic processes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-30
President Roosevelt issues an executive order outlining the reorganization of the Isthmian Canal Commission in Panama. The order details the way in which the commission will now function, how contracts will be issued, and how reports will be made. It also appoints new members to the commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-01
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-05
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
John Barrett has important information that he would like to share with President Roosevelt regarding the Panama situation. He asks William Loeb to present an enclosed letter to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-28
Secretary of War Taft forwards a report from the Isthmian Canal Commission to President Roosevelt, refuting a negative report from Doctor Charles A. L. Reed regarding the sanitary conditions in the Panama Canal Zone. Taft explains that Reed was hurried in his assessment and perhaps too negative; he also believes the structure of the Isthmian Canal Commission itself is responsible for the delays in sanitation on the Isthmus. Taft will submit a plan to restructure the commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-17
Secretary of War Taft forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from A. J. Cassatt about who should be Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-25
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of the construction of the Panama Canal. Taft returns Ambassador John Barrett’s letter to Roosevelt and reports that Barrett has been the recipient of complaints from canal employees due to General George E. Davis’s managing style. Taft also remarks that Barrett does not want to impeach the Isthmian Canal Commission but is justified in criticizing its members. The construction of the canal’s water works may be delayed but is understandable, considering what they have to construct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-13
John Byrne continues his previous discussion with Theodore Roosevelt about the Panama Canal by suggesting that Byrne come to Washington, D.C., to look over the business plans of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Byrne believes this will allow him to offer better advice for the work and to plan a better business model.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-17
John Grimes Walker, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission confirms receipt of William Loeb’s letter regarding scheduling a meeting with Civil Service Commission President John Charles Black or U.S. Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley to implement Civil Service Commission rules to the Isthmian Canal Commission. Walker has already been in contact with Black, but was told to postpone the meeting for some time because Black was going to be out of town. He will try to raise the matter again in a week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-21
Secretary of War Taft forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from General Davis about the Panama Canal Commission and advises that they “take some radical action in this matter as soon as we can reach it.” He believes it is important that three of the commissioners stay in the canal region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-30
William Emlen Roosevelt inquires of President Roosevelt how to make an additional campaign donation in Nassau County. He asks what effect President Roosevelt thinks the New York State Democratic nomination will have on the campaign. He also asks about Colonel Hecker of Michigan who he believes is now on the Panama Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-22
Rear Admiral Walker writes to Secretary of War Taft to report on his visit to Panama and the progress of the Canal project. Walker provides updates on the surveys, equipment inventories, and research into the work necessary to build the Canal and then details the establishment of the Canal Zone government, including the passage of laws and penal codes, the establishment of government departments, and the construction of a hospital. He also discusses his and Taft’s plan to make spots available on the Board of Directors of the Panama Railroad Company for members of the Panama Canal Commission and asks Taft for his permission to open at least two more such spots.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-16
General Consul for the Isthmian Canal Commission Magoon reports to Secretary of War Taft about his observations about the work of the Commission. Magoon describes at length the construction of the canal and the operation of the railroads, and the organization and administration of the government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-05
Minister Barrett counteracts the Democrats’ accusations that President Roosevelt acted too hastily in the creation of the Panama Canal and had not honored the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. He demonstrates how a small discontented group in Panama caused unrest by not fully understanding the implications of the Treaty and now all are grateful for Roosevelt’s actions and leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-06
New York Secretary of State O’Brien asks Governor Odell to speak to President Roosevelt on behalf of O’Brien’s brother, who seeks a diplomatic posting in South America after having been passed over for appointment to the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-23