Panama

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Walter S. Funnell

Theodore Roosevelt tells Walter S. Funnell that he will not talk to any newspaper over the phone. In response to the attack on Roosevelt by the Consul of Columbia, Roosevelt states he did not expect Columbia to like the taking of Panama, but Roosevelt is not interested in what Columbia has to say about it, comparing Columbia to a train robber being caught by a Marshall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt updates Senator Lodge on the Windsor ships. He initially gave the order that Lodge wishes him to give now, but discovered that there were certain procedures that he had to follow before he could do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

President Roosevelt sends Panama Canal Commissioner Bishop a letter of introduction for William Archer, the Scottish critic and writer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Taft a marked editorial and notes that he still has a “patent on certain social, artistic, scientific, literary and other issues.” He also observes in a postscript that there is a campaign prepared against Taft due to the government covering the majority of his travel expenses. Roosevelt believes that they do not have a leg to stand on regarding Taft’s visits to the Philippines or Panama but encourages Taft to pay careful attention to all of his expenses as such accusations could be very detrimental to his campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-12

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt asks Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry to refer to the telegram regarding coal sent by Acting Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver and to report back on how much of a delay would be caused by loading coal for Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Silas McBee

President Roosevelt shares editor of the Churchman Silas McBee’s interest in and puzzlement over the sermon of Bishop Charles Henry Brent of the Philippines, which he analytically criticizes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

Joseph Bucklin Bishop’s letters to President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt “delighted our souls.” Roosevelt is highly pleased by Bishop’s report of conditions at the Isthmus of Panama. Regarding Bishop’s suggestion of a newsletter, Roosevelt proposes it include a summary of outside current events. He sends his regards to Colonel George W. Goethals and directs him to take leave whenever necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-22

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt forwards Secretary of State Root the text of a letter from Secretary of War William H. Taft concerning the treaty with Columbia regarding Panama. Roosevelt hopes Root can persuade Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Enrique Cortes to change his view.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert G. Squiers

President Roosevelt introduces the American Minister to Panama, Herbert G. Squiers, to William G. Devereux, the son of Roosevelt’s friend.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Harriet T. O’Brien Stevens

President Roosevelt is pleased that Harriet T. O’Brien Stevens likes his Panama message, and enjoyed having her at the luncheon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt that he gave a speech at the Gridiron Club, wherein he emphasized he would not run for a third term. Roosevelt discusses his recent exercise habits, noting that he doesn’t give it up “because I think I would ultimately be worse off without it.” Roosevelt says his sons Archibald B. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt have built two fireplaces on the White House property, and have been cooking meals with them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-09

Letter from Frank G. Hobbs to Theodore Roosevelt

Frank G. Hobbs has previously worked with the Chief Engineer of the Panama Railroad and hopes Theodore Roosevelt can reinstate his position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-21

Telegram from Truman Handy Newberry to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry informs President Roosevelt that the railroads have agreed to the Navy’s wishes regarding government colliers, and he describes the positions of the colliers. The waiver of precedence for Panama colliers could once again agitate the commercial interests, but Newberry does not foresee long term effects if the railroads and coal suppliers can agree. He recommends the transfer of a few cargoes already en route.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-01

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft agrees with President Roosevelt on Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s speech and on the negative press from the New York papers. He describes his trip thus far and makes predictions about his success based on what he has been told. In light of the gerrymandering involving Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell, Taft asks Roosevelt to help defeat an inadequate constitution in Oklahoma. Taft has asked Joseph L. Bristow to form another report on Panama, and he mentions an editor named Joseph Ralph Burton who has been attacking Roosevelt. Taft discusses the political campaigns and conflicts in the states he is passing through, in particular the political campaigns in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Denver. Taft’s mother Louise Maria Torrey Taft is recovering, and although the trip has been exhausting, Taft has a few days of rest ahead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt from Cuba. He assures Roosevelt that the recent report from the New York Herald was overblown and no cause for alarm. He also reports on the labor meeting he held with unhappy steam shovel engineers working on the Canal while in Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-07

Conference minutes

Minutes of a conference held in Colón, Panama, between Secretary of War William H. Taft and three steam shovel operators working on the Panama Canal over the rate of pay and medical care for the operators.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-03

Letter from R. R. Bowker to Theodore Roosevelt

R. R. Bowker reports to President Roosevelt regarding complaints he has heard about worker conditions in Panama. Most of the complaints relate to the types and quality of food available to workers there. One possible solution would be to purchase more fresh supplies locally. It might also be worthwhile to send someone who is familiar with providing food to large numbers of people to inspect the operations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-30

Letter from Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt thanks President Roosevelt for his letter. He will send a copy to his nephew Henry L. Roosevelt, and he is sure Henry will be willing to wait for a more opportune time to request leave.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-22

Memorandum from William Loeb to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Secretary to the President Loeb informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that President Roosevelt will speak to her about Secretary of War William H. Taft taking the Mayflower for his trip to Panama. Roosevelt thought that the First Lady would want to use the Mayflower, and if so, Taft could use the Columbia. Edith Roosevelt responds in a handwritten note, “Let Sec Taft take the Mayflower by all means.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-15

Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

William Emlen Roosevelt tells President Roosevelt that he and Edith have been on his mind since hearing of Archibald B. Roosevelt’s sickness. He has enclosed a survey of Cove Neck as promised, and despite several errors, the layout is “very interesting” for them to have. He tells Roosevelt of the dire situation on Wall Street and the effect that the panic has had on himself and his colleagues. He discusses his visit from Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and the dispatch he received from his son George Emlen Roosevelt, who was remorseful not speaking to Roosevelt when he was visiting Harvard. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-07