Letter from Frank Crounstoun Boggs to Theodore Roosevelt
Frank Crounstoun Boggs sends Theodore Roosevelt a bound copy of Volume Four of the Canal Record.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-12-04
Your TR Source
Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943
Letter from Charles E. Watts to Theodore Roosevelt
Charles E. Watts encloses an article describing the events at a banquet in honor of Abraham Lincoln that was put on by the Commercial Club in Portland, Oregon. At the banquet, Theodore Roosevelt was criticized and various attendees spoke in favor of Taft. Watts warns Roosevelt not to visit the Commercial Club during his upcoming visit to the city.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-02-12
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to William Loeb
President-Elect Taft acknowledges receipt of a letter from William Loeb enclosing a report by John F. Stevens concerning the Gatun Dam.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-31
Creator(s)
Letter from Alfred Noble to Theodore Roosevelt
Alfred Nobel has considered President Roosevelt’s wish for him to travel to Panama to inspect the canal there, but does not believe he can in good conscience leave his current project in its current conditions. Nobel does not believe there is any new information that would change his opinion that building the Panama canal with locks is preferable to a sea level canal. He agrees with the views of Major Cassius E. Gillette, and suggests adding John Ripley Freeman or Isham Randolph to the proposed board of engineers. Nobel does not believe that any of the names suggested by Theodore P. Shonts, John F. Stevens, or Jackson Smith would strengthen the board, although they are all capable engineers.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-12-22
Creator(s)
Translation of cablegram received at 12:47 p.m.
Secretary of War Taft relays conditions in the Canal Zone, detailing two main points. First, he describes the self-serving actions of Jackson Smith and recommends he be removed from service. Second, Taft outlines the political situation in Panama and a plot by Manuel Amador Guerrero and his supporters to steal the election from Jose Domingo de Obaldia, creating the risk of another revolution.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-05-09
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on his visit to the Panama Canal Zone. Taft was investigating reports of poor conditions in the Subsistence Department to head off a scandal. As a result, Jackson Smith has resigned from the Commission, and Taft suggests personnel and organizational changes. Taft also reports on attempts to rig the upcoming election in Panama.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-05-16
Creator(s)
Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt
William Emlen Roosevelt does not think the fault is purely to be placed on the Panama Railway Company, as the officials in Panama have not been able to closely follow all correspondence to which he has been privy due to a large change in the heads of the company. Roosevelt believes that the root of the problem comes from an honest desire to make an all-American cable, making the American government obliged to the company. He also updates President Roosevelt on the difficulties in the banking field this winter. The depression has hurt business. While Roosevelt supports some regulation, he urges his cousin to impose more moderate fines on corporations.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-01-29
Creator(s)
Letter from William Emlen Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt
Upon reading a memorandum from George W. Goethals, William Emlen Roosevelt updates President Roosevelt on issues that have arisen regarding telegraph cables to be set up along the Panama Canal. The heart of the problem is that although the company is setting the cable, it is at the request of the American government, which is not providing any support. Further, there have been arguments between the company and the government of Panama regarding jurisdiction in the construction of the poles and laying of the cable. The troubles largely come from officials in Panama.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-01-13
Creator(s)
Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports to President Roosevelt on the status of the construction and workers at the Panama Canal. The social discontent following Chief Engineer John F. Stevens’s departure has primarily resolved, and Colonel George W. Goethals has proved himself a capable replacement. Bishop attended his first Isthmian Canal Commission meeting and finds its members “able and intelligent,” and “actively engaged.” At the current pace, excavation will be complete in five to six years, and construction of the dam and lock can commence.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-08-18
Creator(s)
Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt
Joseph Bucklin Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his arrival to the Canal Zone. Colonel George W. Goethals, chief engineer and chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, welcomed him and looked forward to Bishop’s aid. Bishop reports that the work is progressing “splendidly,” and it appears the dissatisfaction among the workers has been resolved. Excited by what he sees, Bishop thanks Roosevelt for sending him. He closes by describing his proposed semi-weekly newspaper for the “regular dissemination of accurate information about the canal.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-08-13
Creator(s)
Letter from J. Sloat Fassett to William Loeb
Representative Fassett writes to William Loeb regarding the Berkhart issue that is still in the air. He hopes that this matter persists until John F. Stevens can address it.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-06-10
Creator(s)
Letter from Fred W. Carpenter to William Loeb
On behalf of Secretary of War William H. Taft, Fred W. Carpenter forwards duplicate copies of the cablegram Taft sent to John F. Stevens.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-12-04
Creator(s)
Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt
The Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, informs President Roosevelt that the missing memorandum has arrived. Bishop informs Roosevelt that Chief Engineer Stevens will have the arrangements for feeding laborers at Culebra complete by January 1, and that he will concrete the floors in all of the labor camp kitchens. Bishop also sends Roosevelt rainfall statistics.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-12-05
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore P. Shonts
Secretary of War Taft sends Isthmian Canal Commission Chairman Shonts his recommendations for Shonts’s board resulting from a conversation between him, Elihu Root, and President Roosevelt. Taft does not think Jackson Smith should be included since he is not an engineer and the board has to include an Army and a Navy engineer. John Ripley Freeman is a good choice since he works well with John F. Stevens. Taft ends his letter by listing potential names for the board.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-10-31
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of War Taft reports on his progress and assessment of conditions on the campaign trail. He is traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, and from there to Idaho. He has had success in Ohio, but the state elections there may be in jeopardy because of disputes between two factions of Republicans. The situation in Illinois is good. Although Taft thinks his trip may do some good, it is more from his presence than his speeches, as he does not feel comfortable with the short talks he has to give. Taft also writes about the possibility of receiving the Republican presidential nomination in 1908, and thinks that the people would prefer to nominate Roosevelt again, with Taft a very distant second. He believes the Democratic party is rather apathetic about the election.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-10-31
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of War Taft corrects an omission in his previous letter to President Roosevelt regarding the composition of the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-11-01
Creator(s)
Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of State Root spent two days touring the work on the Panama Canal. Root saw the work that had been done for the residence of officers and workmen, as well as for repair and construction shops. Root was particularly impressed by the amount of excavation being done near the Culebra Cut. Root concludes by suggesting that the biggest danger facing the Canal at present is the possibility of losing good and able men to profitable employment elsewhere.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-10-12
Creator(s)
Response to charges by Poultney Bigelow about the Panama Canal
In response to Poultney Bigelow’s article on the conditions in Panama, the author denounces him as a “false witness,” asserting that official records testify contrary to Poultney’s twenty-one claims against the Canal Commission as further detailed.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-09-30
Creator(s)
Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he is forwarding papers regarding changes to the canal construction at Sosa Hill that were approved by John F. Stevens. While Taft recommends that Roosevelt approve the changes, he thinks Roosevelt should speak with F. P. Stearns, an expert in water systems engineering, before giving his approval. Stearns can come to Oyster Bay to speak with Roosevelt later in the week.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-09-10
Creator(s)
Letter from William H. Taft to William Loeb
Secretary of War Taft sends the changes for plans at Sosa Hill to William Loeb. Taft tells Loeb that President Roosevelt will want to use it when he meets with F. P. Stearns.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-09-11