Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is reluctant to make his views on the canal public for fear of inciting a revolt in Panama. He is not opposed to waiting a few years for the canal and does not know what Congress plans to do.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
President Roosevelt would like Secretary of State Hay to come to Oyster Bay, New York, so that they can discuss the Canal situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-19
President Roosevelt would like to find a South American consulate or position on the Panama Canal for Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee, a former Rough Rider.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-30
President Roosevelt appreciates Senator Hanna’s letter explaining the situation surrounding his announcement as a Republican Presidential nominee and is conciliatory toward Hanna’s brief opposition against Roosevelt at the Ohio Convention, commenting on Hanna’s support during Roosevelt’s presidency so far. Roosevelt reminds Hanna that he will be visiting Cleveland with his daughter, Alice, on June 10, and hopes to have a “real talk” about the Panama Canal, financial legislation, and the political situations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-29
President Roosevelt asks Henry Clay Frick if he would be interested in serving on the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-09
Due to his long absence from Washington, D.C., President Roosevelt would like to limit his time in Ohio while visiting for a wedding. He hopes to speak with Senator Hanna about the Panama Canal and the proposed financial legislation for next winter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-25
President Roosevelt is appointing Admiral Walker and two members of the Isthmian Canal Commission to travel to Panama and assess the present condition of the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-24
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
With an eye towards beginning work on the Isthmian Canal, President Roosevelt suggests that the military map and gather information on the coasts of South America that would be of particular interest “in the event of any struggle in the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-14
President Roosevelt will try to find Mr. Murphy a position with the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-18
President Roosevelt requests Secretary Root’s advice on General Tracy’s firm being connected with the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-19
President Roosevelt considers the proposed Isthmian Canal a great work of his administration and of the 20th century. Negotiations are being trusted to Hay and Attorney General Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-01
John Callan O’Laughlin informs Theodore Roosevelt that John M. Harlan, a previously outspoken critic of Roosevelt, would support him if he were to run for re-election. Many other Republicans have also inquired about whether Roosevelt will seek re-election. O’Laughlin requests that Roosevelt publicly reject Secretary of State Robert Lansing’s treaty with Latin America that would include territorial integrity and prohibitions on shipments of munitions. O’Laughlin fears that this would keep the United States from acquiring any more territory in the future and would have a detrimental effect on relationship between the United States and South American countries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-24
Senator Cummins writes to inform Theodore Roosevelt that he is unable to travel to New York as work continues on the Panama Canal bill and the Post Office Appropriation bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-30
Senator Lodge delivered a speech to the Senate that was met with “universal applause” and will be sending a copy of the speech to Roosevelt. The Democrats are starting an inquiry into the “Panama business” in preparation for demanding arbitration with Colombia. Lodge is willing to give Colombia some money but will not legitimize their claim to Panama by sending the matter to arbitration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-01
Harry J. Cantwell writes Theodore Roosevelt regarding the debate currently taking place around the fortification and use of the Panama Canal. Cantwell suggests that if nations wish to have equal access to the canal, they need to repay the United States a portion of the cost of construction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-16
Secretary of War Stimson sends Theodore Roosevelt his annual report, which includes points on Army organization, prison management, and the organization of the Panama Canal, among other topics. He is taking advantage of Roosevelt’s suggestion to apply to the Outlook for help. Stimson and his wife, Mabel Wellington White Stimson, plan to be on Long Island on December 17 and hope to call on Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, in particular.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-09
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-10
Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules), 1855-1932
Joshua W. Kendall recently returned home after serving as a locomotive engineer on the Panama Canal for almost six years of continuous service. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to help him find a job in government service so he can support his family. Kendall earned the medal for canal workers and one bar for “continuous satisfactory service.” He has a letter from the Isthmian Canal Commission attesting to his excellent service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-06
Herbert David Croly sends Theodore Roosevelt a chapter of his biography of Marcus Alonzo Hanna, requesting that Roosevelt read over Croly’s account of the Republican National Convention of 1900. The chapter also contains statements made by Roosevelt during interviews with newspaperman James B. Morrow and letters Roosevelt had written to Hanna, all of which Croly asks Roosevelt to approve. According to Hanna’s son Daniel Rhodes Hanna, Roosevelt could possibly speak to Hanna’s involvement with the Panama Canal. Croly closes by asking about Hanna’s reaction to Roosevelt’s suit against the Northern Securities Company. Croly is open to meeting with Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill if needed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-04