Panama--Panama Canal

Whitelaw Reid encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to President-elect William H. Taft in which he explains why he believes he should maintain his post longer than currently planned. The King of England appreciated President Roosevelt’s speech on British rule in India and mentioned as well that he hoped Reid would remain Ambassador. Reid updates Roosevelt on diplomatic work he has been doing concerning the Panama Canal and Newfoundland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-22

President-elect Taft confirms he has the letter from William Loeb relaying communication from S. C. Potts concerning grievances of merchants and bankers from Panama against the American Administration on the Canal Zone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-20

Harry Johnston discusses his current stay in Haiti and his pleasant experience traveling with American Minister Plenipotentiary H. W. Furniss as his guide. Johnston describes Furniss as “the most influential foreigner” in Haiti and compliments his knowledge of the country, his popularity among locals, and his ability to navigate the “rotten” Haitian government. Johnston urges President Roosevelt to visit Haiti because of its natural beauty but cautions him about the “utterly bad” government and “ignorant” president. Johnston also asks Roosevelt to put in a good word for him when he passes through the Panama Canal at the same time as president-elect William H. Taft, and he requests that Roosevelt send him two War Department maps of Haiti and San Domingo. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-13

Senator Lodge does not want to open an inquiry into the dealings of Isthmian Canal Commission officials and the ship broker, Mr. Archer. However, Lodge notes that, even though there have been many inquiries into various members of the commission, none have been opened regarding E. A. Drake, the purchasing agent of the Panama Railroad, or Richard R. Rogers, the general counsel of the Panama Railroad.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-15

District Attorney Stimson informs Attorney General Bonaparte that he has served the subpoenas for the Panama libel case and discussed it with the prosecuting attorney, William Travers Jerome. Jerome has expressed interest in prosecuting a newspaper for libel against Secretary of State Elihu Root, although Root is apprehensive. Stimson believes the additional case may help to minimize any criticism of President Roosevelt in relation to the Panama case, and he encourages Bonaparte to discuss it with Root.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-15

President-Elect Taft fears there is not enough room to include Henry A. Allen on the trip to the Panama Canal, per President Roosevelt’s suggestion. Taft thinks the team of six engineers will be sufficient.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President-Elect Taft catches up with President Roosevelt on a variety of topics. Taft notes that he has never worried about a dam being constructed as part of the Panama Canal, and believes that canal engineer Lindon W. Bates is an “accomplished liar.” He is also happy to hear that Roosevelt is in contact with German Emperor William II, and plans to meet with Senator Philander C. Knox soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

President-Elect Taft forwards President Roosevelt some letters regarding engineers who could possibly accompany Taft on his trip to see the Panama Canal, but presumes that Roosevelt has already made his selection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-24

Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop thanks President Roosevelt for his constant support, and says that if Roosevelt is satisfied with his work, then he does not mind criticism from other parties. Work on the Panama Canal is proceeding smoothly and at a faster pace than was initially thought possible, for which he gives credit to Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission George W. Goethals. Bishop blames irresponsible reporting for reopening an argument about whether a canal with locks or a sea level canal is better, but believes the upcoming visit by President-Elect William H. Taft should help settle the debate. Bishop approves of Roosevelt’s denunciations of journalists William MacKay Laffand and Joseph Pulitzer, and says that it is important to fight against “lying and debased journalism.” Bishop’s wife, Harriet Hartwell Bishop, appreciates being remembered by Roosevelt, and he praises her strength in remaining sanguine during their long residency away from the United States. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

President-Elect Taft confirms receipt of a confidential report by James Bronson Reynolds, Samuel B. Donnelly, and Henry Beech Needham concerning the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-28

President-elect Taft has communicated with Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry, who has offered him two cruisers to travel with. Paul Charlton has suggested that Taft bring Charles Sooysmith with him on his trip to inspect the Panama Canal, but Taft thinks it would be wise to consult with Alfred Nobel before making any decisions on this issue. Taft forwards President Roosevelt a letter from George W. Davis, who has also made suggestions of engineers who should accompany Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

John Ripley Freeman has spoken to a number of people about the Panama Canal who are sure that it will ultimately be built as a sea-level canal, but Freeman does not believe this will be the case. The current slipping at Gatun has done nothing to shake Freeman’s confidence in this, and he has communicated as such to Senator Kittredge, who he met by chance recently. Freeman sends Taft a copy of a book relating to the work of the New York State Water Supply Commission which references a pair of earth dams that he was formerly involved with.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-19

O. H. P. Cornell presents his credentials as an engineer to President-Elect William H. Taft in a bid to accompany Taft on his tour of the Panama Canal. Cornell has previously been involved in some discussions of the canal building process, and says that that he is free from any prejudice surrounding it. He apologizes for breaking convention and submitting his own name for consideration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

W. J. Curtis has heard of President-elect Taft’s upcoming trip to examine the Panama Canal, and recommends Hugh L. Cooper as an experienced hydraulic engineer who he feels would be of great service if he were to accompany Taft on this journey. Curtis vouches for both Cooper’s experience and character, and says that if Taft is interested in receiving a second opinion, he believes the Engineering Department of the Army will confirm his view of Cooper.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

Alfred Nobel has considered President Roosevelt’s wish for him to travel to Panama to inspect the canal there, but does not believe he can in good conscience leave his current project in its current conditions. Nobel does not believe there is any new information that would change his opinion that building the Panama canal with locks is preferable to a sea level canal. He agrees with the views of Major Cassius E. Gillette, and suggests adding John Ripley Freeman or Isham Randolph to the proposed board of engineers. Nobel does not believe that any of the names suggested by Theodore P. Shonts, John F. Stevens, or Jackson Smith would strengthen the board, although they are all capable engineers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

William Nelson Cromwell informs President Roosevelt that, in addition to the letter which will be handed to him by Roger L. Farnham, Cromwell sends a dictated statement regarding the Panama Canal controversy. Cromwell believes that now is the time to deal with the lies that have been flying around and fueling the controversy, and hopes to “do justice to all concerned and expose these mendacious falsifiers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-09

Russell B. Harrison has received President Roosevelt’s request for him to return a letter concerning Delevan Smith, and does so with haste. Harrison says that he has treated the letter as a private communication, as Roosevelt requested. He explains his recommendation that the letter not be shown to Smith, as he owns a newspaper which could potentially attack Roosevelt. Harrison and other Indiana Republicans have been disgusted by the actions of the Indianapolis News. Harrison regrets that he did not mention his desire for a position at a time when he needed one, but he wanted the suggestion to come from Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-09

George W. Davis offers President-elect Taft his opinion regarding several engineers who are candidates to accompany Taft on a trip to inspect the Panama Canal. If a change to the canal plans is required, as Davis suspects it may be, it should be done early enough before public opinion begins to be swayed against the canal by a lack of confidence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-15

Creator(s)

Davis, George W. (George Whitefield), 1839-1918

William Dudley Foulke informs President Roosevelt that The Indianapolis News has been alleging that Roosevelt and his administration, along with president-elect William H. Taft, were involved in a conspiracy involving the improper payment of funds for the Panama Canal. Foulke asks what the facts are relating to this alleged scandal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-29

Senator Lodge tells President Roosevelt that Henry C. Gauss, who has worked with both William H. Moody and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte when they were each Secretary of the Navy, would like to be made Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Both Moody and Bonaparte say he is a good man. Lodge also points out that if some ships that have been discussed were bought, they could be used to transport five million barrels of cement to the Canal. Those who oppose the purchase of the ships argue that it would be too expensive to transport the cement. However, they are not factoring in that if the ships do not transport the cement, they will be idle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-23