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Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary dispels the rumor that Roosevelt is going abroad to John E. Kauffman. They mention Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is going on a trip to Jamaica and Colón, Panama and thank Kauffman for his note.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-01
Michael F. Moran chronicles the Theodore Roosevelt Association’s (TRA) Panama Canal Centennial Strenuous Life Adventure of March 2014. Moran describes the itinerary of the group, highlighting its passage through the canal on a cruise ship and its stop at various offices and sites associated with the construction of the canal. Moran also refers to figures prominent in the building of the canal such as John F. Stevens. Moran describes the condition of Colon, Panama, highlights the group’s bird watching expedition, and notes the costumes of the native Embera Indians.
Twenty photographs and a map appear in the text while a photo album of seventy-two color photographs arrayed in twelve pages follows the article.
Poultney Bigelow compares the challenges Ferdinand de Lesseps faced constructing the Suez Canal to those of the Panama Canal. He argues that real-estate ownership among canal officials is responsible for the crowded, unsanitary conditions of Colon and that the government has failed in its administration of the canal zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09
Major General Hains responds to allegations made by Lindon W. Bates in The Crisis at Panama, claiming the criticisms are exaggerated and unfounded. For example, despite the reference to a lock canal in the original resolution passed on June 29, 1906, the Consulting Board of Engineers provided alternate solutions that have been selected for construction. The resolution passed by Congress focused more on flexibility rather than locking engineers into one type of canal construction, as evidenced by the flurry of changes that were made at the turn of the twentieth-century to the canal. The Isthmian Canal Commission also worked to eradicate the poor sanitary and housing conditions that plagued the workers there. Hains argues that Bates does not understand that before any work is to be done, a large amount of money must be spent on the plant itself. He also writes that Bates’ characterization of everything from the lengths of the locks to the location of construction does not consider best practices.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-11
Panamanian president Tomás Arias announces the separation of Panama from Colombia and the creation of their own independent nation. The “pacific” nature of the people and the open, honest government both contributed to this end result. There is hope that the Panama Canal and Panama’s relationship with the United States will bring happiness and abundance to the nation, still reeling from the “demoralization caused by the last war.” The Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty signed November 2 will help ensure this new time of peace and rebuilding. Self governance must be done with the good of the entire community in mind and a unity of purpose, as the intolerance of old will lead to ruin. The report writer recounts internal disagreements around the last election and the detention of Colombian, Cuban, Mexican, and Nicaraguan officials who were working against this new unity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-23
William Crawford Gorgas notifies Theodore P. Shonts that passengers who have landed at Venezuelan or Colombian ports are not allowed to land at Colón, Panama, without undergoing a six day quarantine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
In response to Poultney Bigelow’s article on the conditions in Panama, the author denounces him as a “false witness,” asserting that official records testify contrary to Poultney’s twenty-one claims against the Canal Commission as further detailed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-30
Secretary of State Root notifies President Roosevelt that he will be passing by Cuba and wants to know if he can be of use there. He also wonders if a ship can meet them at the mouth of the Potomac River and take them to Washington because they have accumulated too much miscellaneous luggage to carry around New York. In addition, he asks Roosevelt when he will be returning to Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-16
Theodore P. Shonts informs John F. Stevens that no railway or canal official owns land in Colon. Shonts adds that Poultney Bigelow’s charges are “the rankest kind of nonsense.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Secretary of War Taft advises William Loeb that no one should go down to the Panama Canal Zone except for Taft, and President and Mrs. Roosevelt. The smaller the party, the better, since space on a ship is small. The Roosevelts are invited to attend a function hosted by President Manuel Amador Guerrero. Taft thinks Roosevelt will have no reason to travel outside the Zone unless he wants to visit Colon to see for himself what Poultney Bigelow had written about. Taft is traveling to Maine from Quebec and expects to arrive in Oyster Bay in a few weeks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
John Barrett writes to President Roosevelt before his historic diplomatic trip with Elihu Root through Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. Barrett is working with President Reyes and other leaders to create a peace treaty between Colombia, Panama, and the United States. The Colombians seek concessions from Panama and the U.S., including free passage of Colombian shipping through the Panama Canal. In return Colombia will have a “favorable attitude” to shipping interests in the United States. Barrett includes his itinerary for his trip through Ecuador.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-02
Rear Admiral Coghlan proposes to take the American ships Olympia, Mayflower, Atlanta, and Castine from Colon, Panama, to Cartagena, Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23
United States Minister to Colombia Peter John Sullivan responds to a request from Colombia’s Secretary of the Interior and Foreign Relations Carlos Martín, for communications from his predecessor regarding the “supposed pretended separation” of Panama from the Colombian Union.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1867-09-12