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President Roosevelt will investigate Samuel S. Slater’s charges, but corrects him on his statements regarding any poor work on the Isthmus, and admonishes him for making such claims in a letter that will go to the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt received the report regarding conditions in Panama. He is greatly impressed and will submit it with recommendations to Congress. Likewise, he will send it to Colonel George W. Goethals, asking that he implement the recommendations where possible. Roosevelt commends the work of the Panama Canal, especially the advances in hygiene in the region. While there are needed corrections, the United States government looks after the welfare, health, and comfort of those working for it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-21
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter and believes Colonel George W. Goethals is glad that Bishop has come to the Isthmus. Roosevelt concurs with Bishop’s letter and states he will “back up the Colonel on all points.” The president also informs Bishop of some political business in New York State and asks Bishop to send “a not too long rough draft” about the Panama Canal that Roosevelt could include in his annual message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-11
President Roosevelt asks Chairman Shonts to review the enclosed pamphlets regarding the frequency of rioting in the West Indies. He encourages Shonts to “go mighty slow” in terms of reducing the police force in the Isthmian Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-11
President Roosevelt tells Isthmian Canal Chairman Shonts that it has been suggested to him that “truck farming on the Isthmus, especially by Chinamen” could be beneficial. Roosevelt also has been told that there should be steam laundries and churches in the area, and asks Shonts to elaborate on each topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-06
Charles C. Bull writes to Theodore Roosevelt about progress on the Panama Canal construction, which he says is going well. He states his opinion that though he opposes “white slaves traffic,” as by law women cannot be brought across country lines for “immoral” purposes, he says there is a problem in Panama where there are too many canal workers and too few prostitutes, and the prostitutes that are there have venereal diseases. Bull thinks there needs to be a way to bring (specifically white) prostitutes who have freely chosen the vocation to Panama and to have better health monitoring. He discusses San Francisco politics and greater U.S. politics, stating he will not support William H. Taft and he does not think the Republican Party will do well the next couple of terms, so he hopes the Democratic Party runs a presidential candidate he does not dislike too much so he does not have to vote Socialist. Lastly, he believes part of the Panama Canal construction area is not well fortified and is vulnerable to potential attack.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
George Haven Putnam writes Theodore Roosevelt to ask him a favor concerning Putnam’s brother’s son, George Palmer Putnam. George Palmer Putnam is a newspaper correspondent currently residing in Oregon but recently returned to New York to get married, and will travel back to Oregon soon via the Panama Canal whilst writing news reports on the canal’s status. George Haven Putnam hopes Roosevelt might still be in contact with people involved in the Panama Canal and connect Putnam’s nephew with these individuals. Putnam also knows of a book concerning war photography being published soon that Roosevelt might find interesting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-13
Isthmian Canal Commission Secretary Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his family. Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission Colonel George W. Goethals requested Bishop’s presence on the Isthmus to have a channel of communication to Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s recent letter pleased him. Bishop says the only major issue is the arrogant behavior of Jackson Smith, the Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence on the Panama Canal Commission. Additionally, the engineer Joseph Ripley created incorrect blueprints and has been proven to be no expert on locks, but Major William L. Sibert is excellent. Bishop thinks the Republican Club of New York’s motives for disparaging Roosevelt’s canal policy are political. In response to Roosevelt’s suggestion to include local events in the new paper, Bishop explains that it may be hard to keep current, but he will try his best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
George W. Goethals responds to recent criticisms of the food supply on the Isthmus of Panama and details the provisions made available by the government and those that are available privately.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-18
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt from the Mayflower that his letter concerning the wages paid on the Isthmus of Panama will be delayed for want of a ship to carry it. Taft expects to arrive in San Juan on Sunday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-12
Henry S. Pritchett suspects John F. Stevens, Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, is under considerable mental and emotional strain and is inadequate in “government methods of business.” While he praises Stevens’ work ethic, Pritchett believes he lacks the moral fortitude and patience necessary it succeed in this position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-05
George Otto Trevelyan writes to President Roosevelt about Panama and the Philippines, drawing parallels with Macaulay’s histories and Ancient Rome. Trevelyan discusses the British diplomatic service and his latest work on the American Revolution. He also describes a recent visit from Charles Francis Adams and his wife, and he muses on what it is like to be old. Trevelyan writes of their shared love of English literature, mentioning Milton, Chaucer, and W. W. Jacobs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-12
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
Secretary of War Taft encloses accounts about yellow fever on the isthmus of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-27
John Findley Wallace suggests that if Secretary of War Taft and President Roosevelt reduce the Isthmian Canal Commission to three members, others should be ex-officio members which would allow the commission to work more efficiently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-20
Frederick William Holls encourages President Roosevelt to write a complimentary letter to Ambassador White upon his retirement. He also believes the situation is ideal for the purchase of land in Panama for an interoceanic canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-29
There are reports that revolutionary forces are preparing an attack on the government forces of Colombia in Panama. Due to America’s potential interest in the New Panama Canal Company of France and guarantees of free transit across the isthmus, it may be necessary to secure the railroad terminals and route. Naval forces have been ordered towards Panama to protect the interests of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-12
Author gives breakdown of Panama Canal construction stating that several hundred engineers and over a thousand laborers are working on the project. Additional information is given about the use of old French machinery being used in conjunction with newer machinery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-12
President Roosevelt is concerned that the Lutheran Germans would resent a Catholic being sent as Ambassador to Berlin. He would like to find out if Charlemagne Tower will accept Berlin and if Robert Sanderson McCormick will go to St. Petersburg. Roosevelt is also interested in trying to purchase the Isthmus of Panama instead of leasing it from Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-21
President Roosevelt introduces Edwin Emerson, a former Rough Rider who has observed affairs in several South American republics. Emerson has information on the situation at the Isthmus of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-23