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Theodore Roosevelt writes to William Alden Smith in response to a request to answer a few questions in front of “the Committee.” Roosevelt shares the opinion of Smith on the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-26
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Wright that Oscar K. Davis, of the New York Times, is investigating papers connected with the purchase of the Panama Canal. He has thus far been unable to find the minutes of the final meeting of the stockholders of the New Panama Canal Company. Roosevelt asks Wright to have the files examined to determine whether such a document exists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-07
In the case of the Republic of Colombia vs. Panama Canal Company, the First Civil Tribunal of the Seine found in favor of the defendants. Colombia’s complaint is not receivable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
Philippe Bunau-Varilla, an engineer of the Panama Canal, writes to the New York Evening Post to clarify publicly why he dropped his libel lawsuit against the newspaper. As Bunau-Varilla counters recent negative remarks made by the Post, he recounts his role in the Panama Canal’s construction, discusses the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair, and asserts that he is indifferent to further attacks from this newspaper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-31
President Roosevelt officially grants supervision of the Panama Canal construction and governance of the Panama Canal Zone to Secretary of War Taft in cooperation with the Isthmian Canal Commission. Roosevelt provides instructions for how to govern the canal zone, construct the canal, and maintain the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
President Roosevelt is sending the members of the Isthmian Canal Commission to ascertain the present condition of the canal and determine the compensation owed to the French Panama Canal Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-26
Douglas Robinson acknowledges receipt of the telegram from John Revelstoke Rathom, managing editor of the Providence Journal. He refers Rathom to a prior answer he gave to the Associated, United and Hearst Press Associations in which he denied any connection “with the so-called Panama Canal Syndicate.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
John Revelstoke Rathom, managing editor of the Providence Journal, asks Douglas Robinson if he is currently, or has ever been, a stockholder in the new or old Panama Canal Company. Rathom has also put the question to Charles Phelps Taft, who has issued an explicit denial which will be printed by the Providence Journal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
John Revelstoke Rathom, managing editor of the Providence Journal, asks Douglas Robinson if he is or was a shareholder of the New or Old Canal Companies. Rathom has asked Charles Phelps Taft the same questions. Robinson acknowledges receipt of Rathom’s question, and denies that he was ever a shareholder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
Theodore P. Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC), explains the ICC’s policies regarding passenger accommodation for employees and their families to President Roosevelt, who had reminded Shonts to conduct an investigation on this matter. With increased traffic as of late, some employees have been assigned to second-class accommodations so that women and children might receive the superior accommodations; superior accommodations are also given to all passengers connected to the ICC in any way and employees recruited from the U.S.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-06
Attorney General Knox reports that the $40,000,000 due by the United States to the Panama Canal Company will be deposited with Morgan & Co. and that Morgan & Co. will be responsible for the distribution of those funds to the appropriate parties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-04
William Nelson Cromwell advises President Roosevelt and Attorney General Philander C. Knox that the civil tribunal of the Seine has dismissed the lawsuits brought by Colombia and Lucien N. B. Wyse to prohibit the new Panama Canal Company from being transferred to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-31
William Nelson Cromwell issues a press release attempting to quell rumors surrounding payments made by the United States government for the Panama Canal. Cromwell states that he has previously made a full report on how the money was paid and vehemently denies that there was any corrupt American syndicate that bought Panama Canal securities at a low price to sell back at a profit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
Secretary of War Taft thinks it unwise to build new ships for the Panama Canal Company. He lists several potential alternatives for President Roosevelt, including a new contract with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. While future action requires discussion, Taft is certain about terminating the current contract with Pacific Mail and not contracting the construction of any vessels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
Attorney General Philander C. Knox writes to William Alonzo Day and Charles Wells Russell regarding liens that exist against the director’s residence and office building of the Panama Canal Company in Panama City. Knox asks them to investigate and report promptly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-28
Attorney General Knox returns a letter from President Roosevelt to William Nelson Cromwell, General Counsel of the Panama Canal Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-17
Charles C. Long encloses a copy of a cablegram which was sent to Marius Bô, President of the New Panama Canal Company, regarding the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-03
Attorney General Knox has contacted M. Bo, President of the Panama Canal Company, to ask when the company will transfer the title and possession of its property to the U.S. Government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-03
Senator Lodge encloses a letter from E. Spencer Pratt regarding the Panama Canal project. Lodge was interested in the report that preparations are being made to raise money for the project in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-14
George M. Franklin bluntly criticizes President Roosevelt’s Panama Canal policy and suggests that tax payer dollars would be better spent on projects inside the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23