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President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop and asks that Colonel George W. Goethals send him a telegram, to which he will respond with one of congratulations, both to be published to promote the work being done in Panama. Roosevelt also provides his opinion on the Isthmian Canal Commission and how it should be structured.
1907-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt, dressed in a Rough Rider outfit, marches while holding a pile of speeches in one hand and a rope attached to the trunk of a parading “circus” elephant in the other hand. The elephant is pulling a large wagon labeled “prosperity” and is filled with a strapped-down bundle labeled “Western Votes.” The elephant itself is wearing an “Uncle Sam” hat and has a large blanket over its back labeled “G.O.P.” as well as four discs hanging off the bottom of it. The four discs are labeled “Larger Navy, Panama Canal, Anti-Trust Laws, and Monroe Doctrine.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-04
A letter to the editor, written by Philippe Bunau-Varilla, discussing a previous article, which Bunau-Varilla believed had misrepresented his work on the Panama Canal project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-19
Philippe Bunau-Varilla writes to the board of consulting engineers to propose solutions to the Panama Canal construction. He discusses the dominating factors of the “Panama problem,” namely the future necessity of a sea-level canal and the availability of comparable projects to use as reference points. Examining the topography of the adjacent waterways, he provides justification for placing dams at Gamboa and Bohio to help with flood control of the Chagres River and with the storage of water for dry seasons. He then dispenses with problem of the Culebra cut, which he does not see as “the controlling factor” of the construction. In the third part of his report, Bunau-Varilla rebuts the view of Chief Engineer John F. Wallace and others by arguing that, without interruption to international navigation, a canal built with locks can be gradually transformed into a sea-level waterway if the dimensions of the channel bottom are increased from 150 feet to 300 feet. He goes on to explain the logistics of that future transformation and the costs involved. Feeling he has satisfied “all the enormous interests involved,” Bunau-Varilla concludes by arguing that his plan offers the fastest and safest solution that “affords the required ample and permanent communication between the oceans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-15
A drawing depicting the longitudinal profile of the Panama Canal route is accompanied by a memorandum from Philippe Bunau-Varilla discussing the aims of the project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-30
President Roosevelt informs Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he liked his editorial on “Statesmanship.” He tells Bishop that the Evening Post will not support him in his next campaign unless he addresses his “policy of violence and wrong-doing in Panama.”
1903-11-19
Opponents to the Panama Canal have organized and plan to stop construction in Panama, citing false starts and the suitability of Nicaragua for the project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-16
Reconsideration by the U.S. Senate of appointments to the Panama Canal Commission may include the issue of salaries for commission members. The author sees the Senate’s action as an attack on President Roosevelt’s administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-21
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for sending him a cartoon. He also informs Bishop that he received a letter from Nicholas Murray Butler and asks him to speak with Butler. Roosevelt also mentions showing Bishop’s editorial on the Panama Canal to Secretary of War Elihu Root.
1903-11-10
President Roosevelt is pictured as a teacher, looking out the window of his classroom at a bear, a bison, and an elk on a fine day for hunting. At the front of the room on the blackboard is written, “Extra Session/Lesson/Panama Canal/Cuban Treaty.” The U.S. Congressmen are the students seated at their desks. Caption: Roosevelt–Boys: “This hurts me more than it does you.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903
Harold Bolce sends a report he has written on the trade of the United States with Oceania, Asia, and South America. Bolce argues that Pacific region markets are miniscule compared to the possibilities in Argentina and Brazil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-09
Detailed comments on Leslie M. Shaw’s letter to President Roosevelt relating to railroads and the construction of the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-17
Senator Spooner provides corrections and suggestions regarding a draft of President Roosevelt’s letter accepting the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the upcoming election. Spooner arranges his suggested edits by paragraph and line numbers or by headings. Topics discussed include the Panama Canal, Cuba, the tariff, and the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him about his experiences aboard the USS Louisiana (BB-19) while he and Edith sail to Panama.
1906-11-11
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is happy with his marks this month but still does not feel he should be leaving Groton School before his sixth year as Ted did. Roosevelt is allowing it because he does not want Kermit to feel he is favoring Ted over Kermit, but Roosevelt has already told Archie that Archie will do six years. Roosevelt says Edith hurt her leg riding, and developed an abscess and is in a wheelchair. Roosevelt’s rate bill went through the Senate and he now turns his attention to the fight over the canal.
1906-05-20
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about a day walking and swimming with the French ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, General Thomas Henry Barry, and Philip Battell Stewart. Roosevelt says Edith’s leg has improved and he likes his new horse Audrey. Roosevelt’s rate bill is nearly through and his next fight is the canal bill.
1906-05-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he is glad Ted visited Kermit at Groton, and, if Kermit works hard, he can finish school at home next year. Roosevelt says he is having problems with the Panama Canal because of clashes between Secretary of War Taft and Chairman Shonts. Massachusetts is going crazy over the tariff as well. Roosevelt says he is getting plenty of tennis, rides, and scrambling walks. He adds that Edith has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin and the next day African hunter Frederick Selous is visiting.
1905-11-12
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and says it was nice of Kermit to send flowers to the Higginson funeral. Roosevelt notes he received a pin from some Oklahoma ranchmen. Roosevelt favors a lock canal in Panama, but orders Kermit not to let anyone get a hold of the letter from chief engineer John Stevens to Isthmian Canal Commissioner Theodore Shonts on the subject. Roosevelt closes by saying wedding presents are arriving for Alice Roosevelt.
1906-01-13
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that Ted’s eye is improving and Ted is back at Harvard. Roosevelt discusses Archie and Quentin playing, getting along with Edith, and the egg-rolling on Easter Monday. Roosevelt says he is busy with the disaster in San Francisco and is also focused on the Panama Canal issue and getting the rate bill passed.
1906-04-22
The article discusses why the English press favors the Democratic ticket. Other topics discussed on this page include “Navy Plank Struck Out,” “‘Artful’ Judge Parker,” “Judge Parker Against Palmer and Buckner,” “Democratic Lightning Change Artists,” “The Irish World on Protection,” and “Chairman Cortelyou’s Alleged Prophecy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-11