Your TR Source
The American company is gauging Chinese interest in the railroad. The Hong Kong government will lend Viceroy Zhidong Zhang money to pay the American company, and British capitalists are investing millions in the railroad. Full details to follow in a letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
Chief Engineer Stevens knows nothing of George Pierce and Company or the Milan Dredging Company, and considers these companies to make no significant contribution to W. J. Oliver’s proposal for building the Panama Canal. Stevens also expresses concern about the involvement of William Barclay Parsons, August Belmont, and John B. MacDonald. Stevens finds Oliver’s quotation “unfortunate” and does not want a one-man proposal like Oliver’s to be the winning bid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-06
Nicholas Murray Butler relays to President Roosevelt some suggestions that William Barclay Parsons made to him about the Isthmian Canal Commission. Among these suggestions is the idea that the Commission should be cut down to three members and contain no engineers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-16
American ship owners are disappointed that the government is shipping goods to the Panama Canal project in ships not from the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-14
Secretary of War William H. Taft proposes to President Roosevelt that an Executive Committee be created for the Isthmian Canal Commission, to include a Chairman (by appointment), the Chief Engineer, and the Governor of the Canal Zone. Other members of the Commission would then serve in an advisory role, with salaries adjusted accordingly. Taft assumes that any publicity regarding such a structure should be delayed until after the Senate adjourns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-10
The American China Development Company is negotiating development of the Canton-Hankow railway. China may have other foreign investors standing by. William Woodville Rockhill does not think the threat to American business is serious. Rockhill confirms the receipt of two telegrams, and transcribes a memorandum of the British Minister, a dispatch from the Foreign Office, and a note to the Foreign Office regarding the railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
President Roosevelt thinks that some of the best engineers in the country should accompany President-elect Taft when he goes down to visit the Panama Canal, and makes several suggestions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-13
President Roosevelt would like Major General Davis to go over the enclosed copy of his remarks to the Consulting Board of Engineers of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Roosevelt also asks that Davis review the remarks with William Barclay Parsons. William Loeb says that Roosevelt suggests that the remarks be published if Davis and Parsons agree.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-13
President Roosevelt returns a letter and a memorandum to Secretary of War Taft and shares his thoughts concerning the proposed Isthmian Canal Committee. Roosevelt asks Taft to have William Barclay Parson and John Findlay Wallace give their opinions on Lindon W. Bates’s canal proposal followed by a review by “the best engineers obtainable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-13
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Taft an engineering report by Lindon W. Bates regarding the Panama Canal. Roosevelt is very impressed with the work, and wants to get together the best engineers in the country to evaluate the proposals therein. Payment for Bates’s work is at the judgement of the board of engineers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-10
President Roosevelt confirms his receipt of two of Secretary of War Taft’s letters regarding the Isthmian Canal. Roosevelt tells Taft that the Commission’s duties and personnel should be rearranged. Roosevelt notes confusion over points made over Admiral John Walker but plans to clear it up with Colonel Frank Hecker and William Parsons once they return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-01
President Roosevelt is glad to know that Charles E. Knoblauch is recovering from his illness. Roosevelt does not make the appointments Knoblauch inquired about, and he suggests that Knobluach contact William H. Burr and William Barclay Parsons. Roosevelt will place Dr. Fetill’s papers before the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-01
President Roosevelt believes that the Isthmian Canal Commission is likely to appoint Joseph Bucklin Bishop but fears that not appointing Edward Charles O’Brien will give the impression of bad faith and be harmful to his reputation. If reelected, Roosevelt will find a suitable appointment for Bishop. He is also concerned that W. Barclay Parsons will be influenced by the Reform Club, John McDonald, and August Belmont.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-29
President Roosevelt has recommended William Crawford Gorgas to the Isthmian Canal Commission. He would like Alexander Lambert to send his views to William Barclay Parsons and Mr. Burr.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-16
President Roosevelt agrees that Mr. Birkinbine is an excellent man, but for his purposes William Barclay Parsons and William H. Burr were more suitable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-24
President Roosevelt is reluctant to consider locality when appointing members of the Isthmian Canal Commission. For engineers, Roosevelt favors William Barclay Parsons and Alfred Noble. He is always open to political recommendations but must consider “the way the work will be done.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-19
President Roosevelt believes that William Barclay Parsons and Alfred Noble are the best engineers for the Isthmian Canal Commission. If either does not accept, Mr. Burr will be offered a position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-19
President Roosevelt has not made a final decision but he thinks that William Barclay Parsons may be a better man then Mr. Burr. Roosevelt requests that Isaac Newton Seligman write to Admiral Walker and provide the same information that Seligman gave to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-18
Fred L. Hartigan requests a meeting with Theodore Roosevelt. He discusses his employment on the Panama Canal and subsequent resignation due to a misunderstanding.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-31
Cassius E. Gillette believes that the construction of the Gatun dam is the appropriate way of proceeding with the construction of the Panama canal, and comments on the construction of the canal in general. Gillette suggests the names of several engineers to President Roosevelt as candidates to accompany President-Elect William H. Taft to visit the canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-17