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Edwin B. Leigh sends Theodore Roosevelt an advance copy of a relief map of the area surrounding the Panama Canal construction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-12
Mrs. A. B. Thompson asks Theodore Roosevelt if Charles J. Thompson was given the Gold Medal for his work on the Panama Canal. She also asks if the government bought the patent rights to the Thompson Steam Shovel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Roeliff Brinkerhoff expresses admiration for how Theodore Roosevelt handled the Panama Canal incident and tells Roosevelt not to worry about other people’s opinions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-06
Irving H. Trowbridge just read Theodore Roosevelt’s article in The Outlook, “How the U.S. acquired the right to build the Panama Canal” and offers Roosevelt praise. Trowbridge hopes Congress will change the name to the “Roosevelt Canal.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-05
Cecil Spring Rice was glad to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and to hear about Kermit Roosevelt. Rice enjoys seeing Roosevelt as a grandfather. He discusses the adjustment from the “strenuous life” to a “quiet” life. Rice also gives his opinion on contemporary politics in America and England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-24
Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of a speech given by George W. Goethals to Congress. Goethals is extremely grateful to Roosevelt, and Bishop suggests Roosevelt send him a line of acknowledgment. Goethals is pleased with the progress on the canal project. Bishop has just seen news of Canada’s rejection of reciprocity, which will worsen William Howard Taft’s prospects. Bishop believes Taft’s weak character has been revealed and both he and Woodrow Wilson will likely be replaced at the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-23
Franklin MacVeagh introduces Carter H. Fitz-Hugh of the Fitz-Hugh Luther Company of Chicago to Secretary Henry L. Stimson. He urges Stimson to consider Fitz-Hugh’s proposal if he and President William H. Taft sell the equipment no longer needed at the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-16
Marguerite Caldwell encloses a notice sent by the Canal Commission and informs Theodore Roosevelt that her brother, who worked with the Commission for eight years, passed away.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-16
William W. Wotherspoon received Theodore Roosevelt’s message to German Emperor William II and was able to deliver it personally. The Emperor was pleased with the message and sends Roosevelt his personal regards. He also recommends that no concessions should be made regarding the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-14
Thomas T. Wright expresses to Oscar W. Underwood that the U.S. needs more American ships in foreign trade and urges Congress to pass a ship subsidy bill to support the merchant marine and boost the southern economy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Joseph Bucklin Bishop informs President Roosevelt of a situation in the Panama Canal Zone beyond the scope of canal construction. Bishop describes how the executive order signed on November 17 virtually abolished the office of Governor and conferred power on the General Counsel, creating a bad situation in which General Counsel Richard Reid Rogers took advantage of his new power. When Secretary of War Taft visited in March, he issued a new executive order to address this situation, conferring the majority of government power on the chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission and acted on by the governor of the Panama Canal Zone, Joseph C.S. Blackburn. Bishop states that Blackburn is doing excellent work and is well-respected, unlike Rogers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Joseph Bucklin Bishop shares with President Roosevelt that Colonel George W. Goethals, chairman and chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, finds the administrative body “cumbersome and inefficient” and wants it reformed. Bishop is preparing a report on August’s work results for publication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
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 reports to President Roosevelt on the progress of the Panama Canal. He has heard from the men working on the canal, those in charge of steam shovels, locomotive engineers, and construction conductors, but does not want to make a decision until he hears back from the President. Taft tells Roosevelt he should receive a letter with Taft’s in-depth analysis and a copy has also been sent to George W. Goethals. Taft is in Cuba for the next week and then travels to Puerto Rico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-07
Secretary of War Taft would like to correct the total yardage needed to complete the Culebra Cut. He mentioned an incorrect number in a previous letter to President Roosevelt. Engineers have also been assessing the test pits and have made considerable progress compared to the last time Roosevelt was there. Taft adds in a handwritten note that he had a satisfactory talk with the Panamanians yesterday, which he will report on in his next letter. He also plans to hear the complaints of the citizens in Colon and take up the matter with the workers there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-01
Chief Engineer Stevens writes Secretary of War Taft about a misunderstanding which arose during the visit of a Congressional delegation to the Panama Canal Zone. Members of the delegation complained bitterly about what seemed to them an arbitrary enforcement of the quarantine procedures intended to prevent the spread of yellow fever. Some even suggested that the delay was orchestrated to keep them from reviewing conditions in the canal zone. Stevens explains that, on the contrary, he and his colleagues were prepared to receive the party and accompany them over “all or any part of the work to explain details.” Both the visiting delegation and the receiving party are very disappointed with what occurred.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-28
President Roosevelt’s message to R. R. Bowker confirms to Bowker what he has heard from many in Washington about John F. Stevens’ resignation as Chief Engineer on the Panama Canal. Bowker believes Stevens’, “a man of railroad training and association”, resignation may have been influenced in part by Roosevelt’s policies on railroad regulation. Bowker will send a memorandum or report to Roosevelt in person on the situation to improve the transport of supplies to the canal workers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-28
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that Colonel Goethals will become the chief engineer in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-21
Secretary of War Taft returns a letter from Henry S. Pritchett, which describes the mental state of John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal. Taft concludes that a man “who goes off his head this way,” referring to Stevens’s behavior, is not the man to continue overseeing “such an important enterprise.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-09
Secretary of War Taft forwards a telegram he received, sent by John F. Stevens to Joseph Bucklin Bishop, that shows Stevens is still with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-07