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Secretary of War Taft forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from General Davis about the Panama Canal Commission and advises that they “take some radical action in this matter as soon as we can reach it.” He believes it is important that three of the commissioners stay in the canal region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-30
William Emlen Roosevelt inquires of President Roosevelt how to make an additional campaign donation in Nassau County. He asks what effect President Roosevelt thinks the New York State Democratic nomination will have on the campaign. He also asks about Colonel Hecker of Michigan who he believes is now on the Panama Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-22
Admiral Dewey writes to Secretary of the Navy Morton to respond to a proposition from Rear Admiral Melville. Dewey responds that “Almirante Bay and Chiriqui Lagoon on the Caribbean side and the Pearl Islands on the Pacific side are the appropriate and necessary bases for the defense of the Panama Canal.” He also notes that the Dutch Island of Curaco would not be of any value to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-29
Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on his campaign activities, asks Roosevelt to review an article for The Churchman, and forwards a report on the progress of the Panama Canal. In preparation for a speech, Taft requests a meeting with the head of the Treasury Department to review government expenditures and also expresses his desire to review Judge Parker’s Democratic nomination acceptance letter. Finally, Taft forwards a letter from Cardinal Merry del Val and asks Roosevelt’s opinion on whether he should respond.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-20
Minister Barrett counteracts the Democrats’ accusations that President Roosevelt acted too hastily in the creation of the Panama Canal and had not honored the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. He demonstrates how a small discontented group in Panama caused unrest by not fully understanding the implications of the Treaty and now all are grateful for Roosevelt’s actions and leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-06
John Barrett has submitted a copy of the letter that Philippe Bunau-Varilla wrote to Secretary of State Hay to the Panama Minister of Foreign Affairs and has also let it be known that the United States is ready to negotiate for the protection of revenues and trade. This letter “absolves the United States Government from blame for alleged arbitrary interpretation of the treaty.” Barrett has heard a rumor that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has found the original Bunau-Varilla letter and the reply from the Junta in his archives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-20
William B. Allison has read a letter written by President Roosevelt concerning the Panama Canal and the Philippines. He thanks Roosevelt for the opportunity to do so and offers some small suggestions for improvement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
John Barrett writes to John Hay to report on the current state of negotiations with the government of Panama concerning the Panama Canal. There is some public resentment, but no real danger of revolution. The Panamanian government is willing to conduct negotiations in Panama if that is what the Americans prefer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-23
New York Secretary of State O’Brien asks Governor Odell to speak to President Roosevelt on behalf of O’Brien’s brother, who seeks a diplomatic posting in South America after having been passed over for appointment to the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-23
Senator Lodge writes President Roosevelt with questions regarding the leave of absence of Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer and the shipping contracts for coal supplies to Panama. Lodge also mentions that Elihu Root wrote him, indicating health reasons prevent him from leaving retirement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-24
Benjamin Ide Wheeler discusses the public’s perception of Judge Alton B. Parker, the Democratic candidate for president. Wheeler gives President Roosevelt campaign advice and believes Roosevelt will win the election. He speculates on the vote, noting the possible effect of the Colorado situation. Wheeler hopes that Elihu Root will accept the nomination for governor of New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-14
Rear Admiral Melville believes that the United States should hold or own the islands at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. Although it may be difficult to acquire Curacao from Holland, he believes the other islands can be purchased from Columbia if the United States offers a good price.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
This memorandum provides details about government spending in response to an article from the New York World. The deficit in 1904 was caused by a payment for “the right of way of the Isthmian Canal.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-12
Secretary of War Taft forwards a letter from Van Leer Polk on the suitability of using Chinese labor to build the Panama Canal. Taft adds that it is difficult to avoid peonage in Chinese labor contracts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-07
President Roosevelt summarizes the creation of the Isthmian Canal Commission and explains its jurisdiction and function.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
Ebenezer J. Hill writes to encourage President Roosevelt to advocate at an upcoming meeting that the gold standard and American system of money be adopted in the Panama Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-10
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw encloses a letter written from Admiral John Grimes Walker to the Secretary of War about a tariff for the Panama canal zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-11
Leslie M. Shaw recommends the United States Tariff of 1897 for the Panama Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-03
President Guerro acknowledges General George Davis’s arrival in Panama. Guerro is eager to speak with Davis about the building of the Panama Canal and assures President Roosevelt that he will extend every courtesy and hospitality to General Davis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-20
Fred W. Carpenter returns a letter from William I. Buchanan concerning the administration of the Panama Canal zone. Secretary of War William H. Taft has discussed the matter with President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-10