Panama--Panama Canal

Letter to John F. Stevens

The writer sends Chief Engineer Stevens the invitation for proposals for construction on the Panama Canal; the writer struggled with the section on compensation for the contractors. They are also consulting with Speaker Cannon and Senator Spooner on the language of the letter of transmission. Due to the reorganization enacted by President Roosevelt and Secretary of War Taft, the onus will be on the writer and Stevens. The writer thinks Stevens should be present for the formal awarding of the contract. They inquire after Stevens’ family and write that they have been “knocked out” for the past several days.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Letter from John A. Sleicher to Theodore Roosevelt

John A. Sleicher is grateful for President Roosevelt’s message to his daughter, and he discusses the possibility of Frank Wayland Higgins being nominated for Governor. Sleicher notes that Chinese laborers are being used for the construction of the Panama Canal, and he suggests the possibility that Filipinos might be used instead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Letter from John A. Sleicher to Theodore Roosevelt

John A. Sleicher believes that President Roosevelt’s letter to Mr. Watson is “life-saving” for the party in the approaching congressional campaign, and he commends Roosevelt for making a convincing case for Republican policies. Sleicher also discusses possible nominations for New York governor, and he thanks Roosevelt for the note he sent his daughter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-21

Extract of a letter from Theodore P. Shonts to John F. Stevens

Chairman Theodore P. Shonts informs Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that President Roosevelt approved of their plan for contracting the work on the Panama Canal, and Shonts will be going to La Malbaie, Québec, Canada, to confer with Secretary of War William H. Taft about it. Shonts and Richard Reid Rogers, the Canal Commission’s general counsel, are working on the request for proposals, and Shonts will send it to Stevens when it is ready for his input. Shonts also writes that they submitted the proposals for Chinese laborers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-22

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Francis B. Loomis forgot to mention in his letter to William Loeb that if President Roosevelt wishes, the investors will increase the capital of the Union Construction Co. Walston H. Brown is sending a memorandum which will help the President dispose of “the canal problem.” Loomis hopes to see Loeb and his wife before long.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt in his capacity as the head of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Taft feels that they should not create contracts for work on the canal without advertising. He has approved Theodore P. Shonts’s leave to travel home with his family from Europe, but not Shonts’s plan to see canals in Manchester or Europe in an official capacity because he is not an engineer and that would bring criticism on him. A rivalry has arisen between John F. Stevens and Charles E. Magoon, and now may be the time to reorganize the Canal commission and civil government and the relationship between the two. Taft looks forward to discussing this with Roosevelt on his return next month.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-17

Translation of a letter from Ricardo Arias to Elihu Root

Ricardo Arias forwards Secretary of State Root a letter from Panamanian President Manuel Amador Guerrero inviting President Roosevelt to visit the proposed canal zone in Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-03

Letter from Robert Bacon to Charles E. Magoon

Charles E. Magoon encloses a letter to Secretary of State Bacon from Ricardo Arias, as well as an invitation from Panamanian president Manuel Amador Guerrero for President Roosevelt to visit. The people of Panama have great admiration for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-04

Letter from John F. Stevens to Theodore P. Shonts

John F. Stevens thinks that construction will benefit if they seek out the best workers and contractors for every type of work needed, rather than relying solely on one company to provide them. That way, each “class of construction” will be overseen and carried out by experts who are the best at what they do.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-04

Letter from Theodore P. Shonts to William H. Taft

Chairman Theodore P. Shonts offers a plan for the reorganization of the Isthmian Canal Commission responsible for overseeing the construction of the Panama Canal. In light of the upcoming transfer of Governor of the Panama Canal Zone Charles E. Magoon to the Philippines, it seems an opportune time to make the organizational changes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-04

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft encloses to President Roosevelt a letter from Minister to Panama Charles E. Magoon. Taft believes that it would be a “good stroke” to appoint Colonel William Crawford Gorgas Governor of the Panama Canal Zone. He also believes William Franklin Sands will make a good Minister, but it is fine to delay action until September. Taft notifies Roosevelt that he is preparing a speech, which he will deliver to the Republican State Committee of Maine after making any changes Roosevelt feels are necessary to best represent the administration and the party. Taft believes that the party is taking the correct stance in regard to trade unions. Although trade unions are to be given all possible liberty under the law to carry out the organization’s legitimate purposes, they are not to be put in the privileged class.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-06

Letter from John F. Stevens to Theodore P. Shonts

John F. Stevens, Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal Commission, offers Theodore P. Shonts his views on how the canal should best be constructed. Stevens advocates the commission keeping as much control and oversight over the process as possible, while using the best contractors from different parts of the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft discusses the process of hiring labor for the Panama canal project. Taft believes that they can hire Chinese labor, and he prefers workers from China over locals and the Caribbean in general. Taft also believes they should not let any contracts before they receive all bids and that if they start advertising now, they can bring over the first wave of workers from China. Taft estimates that they need no more than 2,500 men but should leave room in the contract for more if need arises. John F. Stevens also believes they should employ workers from a variety of places, including Spain, in case they end up having problems with one particular group. They will begin once he hears back from President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Translation of a letter from Ricardo Arias to Elihu Root

Ricardo Arias worries that the United States is focused solely on the construction of the Panama Canal at the cost of other matters in Panama not directly related to the canal. Arias reminds Secretary of State Elihu Root of Panama’s history and the history of the relationship between the United States and Panama, especially regarding the treaty that allows the building of the canal. Arias stresses Panama’s desire for a harmonious relationship and requests Root to set up a meeting so that representatives can discuss details relating to the canal’s construction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

Letter from John Barrett to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-02

Letter from Henry Martyn Hoyt to William H. Taft

Acting Attorney General Hoyt sends Secretary of War Taft the opinion prepared by Charles Wells Russell regarding Chinese laborers working on the Panama Canal. The opinion bears the Attorney General’s endorsement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-23

Letter from Charles E. Magoon to Elihu Root

Charles Edward Magoon writes to Secretary of State Root regarding recommendations for successors to his positions in Panama, since he will be transferred to the Philippines. He recommends Colonel William Crawford Gorgas for governor and commissioner and William F. Sands for minister. Given the circumstances of Panama, he believes that Gorgas should be given the dual appointment of governor and minister. However, if the positions are separated he recommends Sands. Magoon wishes to return to the United States prior to his transfer in order to handle his personal affairs and confer on his next position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-24

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt about contracting Chinese laborers to work on the Panama Canal through the International Contracting Company. Taft thinks the work needs to proceed, but does not think it will do any harm to delay a bit to think about options.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-24

Memorandum regarding Chinese labor for the Panama Canal

Paul Charlton discusses the possibility of employing Chinese labor in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-29

Transcript of telephone message from Stephen B. Elkins

Senator Stephen B. Elkins of West Virginia believes that the Hepburn Act, “will be substantially as the Senate had it.” Elkins feels that the bill is making better progress than the newspapers indicate. He does not know yet how the Senate will act on the Canal question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-16