29 March 1905

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Taft as Secretary of War but not signed, to retired Rear Admiral Walker as President of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Typed copy of Taft's letter to Walker. By direction of President Roosevelt, Taft is asking for the resignation of each member of the canal commission. The resignations are to take effect at the pleasure of the president. Says the president asks for the resignations so he can reorganize the board. Wants him to communicate this request to Governor George Whitefield Davis, the first military governor of the Panama Canal Zone.

GLC03804.38

29 March 1905

Burr, William Hubert, 1851-1934

Typed letter

Title: to John G. Walker

Not signed. Written by Burr as a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission to retired Rear Admiral Walker as President of the canal commission. Typed copy of Burr's letter to Walker; written on the letterhead of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Burr is offering his resignation as he knows the president wants to reorganize the commission. Expresses his pleasure of serving on the commission.

GLC03804.39

29 March 1905

Parsons, William Barclay, 1859-1932

Typed letter

Title: to John G. Walker

Not signed. Written by Parsons as a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission to Walker as President of the canal commission. Typed copy of letter sent to Walker; written on Isthmian Canal Commission letterhead. Says that he is resigning to give the president liberty to reorganize the commission. Expresses appreciation for being selected to serve on the commission.

GLC03804.40

1 April 1905

Oliver, Robert Shaw, 1847-1935

Typed letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Typed letter on the letterhead of the War Department. Written by Acting Secretary of War Oliver to retired Rear Admiral Walker as President of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Says he has received Walker's letter of 29 March 1905, offering his resignation to President Roosevelt. The resignation was requested by the president, who accepted it by saying: "Accepted, with hearty thanks to each member of the Commission for the work that has been done." Stamp in purple ink says "Received, J.G.W. Apr 3 1905." The president asked for the resignation of the entire board early in 1905 as the commission…

GLC03804.41

3 April 1905

Armstrong, W.P., fl. 1905

Typed letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Typed letter written on letterhead of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Written by Armstrong as the auditor of the commission to retired Rear Admiral Walker. Tells Walker that enclosed with this letter is a message from the Acting Secretary of War accepting his resignation as president of the commission (see GLC03804.41 for this enclosure). Says a copy has been made to assist the auditor's office with the payment of his salary up to 31 March 1905.

GLC03804.42

21 September 1907

Army and Navy Register Publishing Company, 1879-1948

Newspaper

Title: Army and Navy Register [Vol. 42, no. 1449 (September 21, 1907)]

Most of this issue it taken up with an obituary of Rear Admiral John G. Walker titled "Death of Rear Admiral Walker." It includes a large photograph of Walker in his dress uniform with a very large mustache. Obit says his ashes will be buried in Arlington Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and 5 children. Issue also has an article titled "Medal Winners in Markmanship," giving the results of a rifle contest at Fort Niagara, New York. Large masthead on recto has an image of an eagle holding an American flag along with the symbols of each branch of service. Each issue is 15 cents a copy.

GLC03804.43

26 March 1918

Stewart, Charles, 1890-1921

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Pickering Walker

Written on stationery of the Office of the Naval Records and Library of the Navy Department. Signed by Stewart as Superintendent of the Naval Records and Library to Walker as the wife of the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker. Stewart reports that John G. Walker's name has been selected for one of the new destroyers being built. Would like her to designate a family member to act as a sponsor when the vessel is launched.

GLC03804.44

3 April 1918

Daniels, Josephus, 1862-1948

Typed letter signed

Title: to Francis Pickering Walker Thomas

Written on stationery of the Navy Department. Signed by Daniels as the Secretary of the Navy to the daughter of the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker. Daniels says that he is acting on the suggestion of her mother by nominating her to act as a family sponsor to the launching of the USS "Walker," the newly commissioned destroyer. Says the ship is being built at the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts. Will be ready to launch sometime in June. Letter has two punch holes at the top.

GLC03804.45

10 May 1920

Staunton, Sidney A., fl. 1867-1920

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Pickering Walker

1 page cover letter written and signed by Rear Admiral Staunton, a former colleague and friend of the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker, to Walker's widow Rebecca. Followed by 3 pages of typed reminiscences by Staunton. Cover letter says that he is working from his memory with no journal or letters to help him. Hopes the recollections will be of use to her son. The recollections start after 1867 when Walker was at the Naval Academy on the staff of Admiral Porter, go through his service during the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, and finish with Walker's service on the Isthmian Canal…

GLC03804.49

22 July 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to R. West [incomplete]

Says they arrived in the Navy Yard at Washington the night before after being towed up the Potomac River. As they came up the river they heard "furious cannonading which never ceased until after our arrival at the city and learned that a desperate battle was going on at Bull's Run about 30 miles distant." Says they suddenly received an order from Captain Dahlgren to get underway at once and proceed to Alexandria. A steamer was pulling the brig as fast as it could and they speculated that the army lost and that they were needed to protect the town from a Confederate attack or to keep it "being…

GLC03836.10

24 July 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says little has happened and they remain anchored at Alexandria. Says they were told to wait in readiness to man the town's batteries last night, but nothing came of it. Says the USS "Pawnee" is docked next to them. Went on shore and describes the town and the defeated soldiers from Bull Run. Has heard that no forward movement has been made by the enemy. Says "Last night and this morning they were reconnoitering from Washington in a balloon, and this morning it passed over Alexandria and descended just outside the town." Blasts the newspapers that were clamoring for the North to end their…

GLC03836.12

3 November 1822

Watkins, Tobias, 1780-1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Desires to be appointed to the now vacant position of Clerk of the House of Representatives. The office of the Clerk is filled by a vote among the Representatives, and Watkins was requesting Hobart's vote. Details his credentials, having been a public servant for nearly twenty years. Also notes that he has eight children to support, and is therefore in need of the position. Hopes for Hobart's support. Watkins was not elected as Clerk.

GLC06313.04.193

29 November 1822

Du Vall, E.W., fl. 1822

Printed letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Desires to be appointed to the now vacant position of Clerk of the House of Representatives. The office of the Clerk is filled by a vote among the Representatives, and Du Val was requesting Hobart's vote. Does not know Hobart personally, but refers him to politicians who do know him, and requests Hobart's support.

GLC06313.04.202

15 December 1822

Beal, Thomas P., 1786-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Hopes that Hobart can supply him with "The N. Intelligence" that he used to recieve from another Congressman, and discussed political races.

GLC06313.04.203

17 December 1822

Thomas, William, fl. 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Offering Hobart a subscription to the local paper he publishes while Hobart is away in Washington. In return for sending the paper, hopes Hobart will send him any information he can.

GLC06313.04.204

8 June 1883

Forbes, Robert Bennet, 1804-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Writes to Walker that he has been busy fitting out the "Rae" and the "Rebecca." Says they both have a new coat of paint and that the "Rae" has been supplied with "important necessaries," including a cable and anchor. Says the men on board await his orders. Can send the orders to the ships by express to the railroad station or have the "Talapora" take them to the wharf in Portsmouth.

GLC03804.20

15 August 1884

Chandler, William Eaton, 1835-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Secretary of the Navy Chandler to Commodore Walker. Says he has telegraphed to suspend the orders to Europe of Surgeon Rixey and the leave of absence to Commander Evans. Asks him to follow through on it. Wants to know if Rixey is entitled to another European cruise or if he is being sent there simply because he is the son-in-law to the Commander-in-Chief. Says as to Evans, that he does not want to give him a leave of absence to go to Europe "until the correspondence with his friend concerning his recent detachment came to an end."

GLC03804.21

1 November 1889

Rockwell, C. H., fl. 1840-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Commander Rockwell of the USS "Yantic" to Rear Admiral Walker. Marked "Personal." Regrets that the "direction of Active Affairs in the Navy has passed out of your hands." Says he is about to embark on the cruise Walker arranged for him and wants to thank him. Says that "you will be followed by a measure of affectionate esteem and friendship, not awarded to any other officer in the service." Trusts he will live to see Walker promoted to Vice Admiral and Admiral. Has stamp, in purple ink, on recto that says "U.S.S. Yantic Nov 1 1889." Written at the Navy Yard.

GLC03804.22

circa 1894

Smith, John Butler, 1838-1914

Document signed

Title: [Request for the portrait of John G. Walker to be added to the collection of the State of New Hampshire]

A committee of distinguished citizens of New Hampshire requests a copy of Rear Admiral Walker's portrait to add to the state's collection. Says "The undersigned citizens of New Hampshire, mindful of your distinguished service and prominence in the United States Navy, and entertaining a pardonable pride that you are a native of this state, earnestly desire that your portrait be added to the collection." Contains 14 signatures, including: former Governor Moody Currier (1885-1887), former Governor Charles H. Sawyer (1887-1889), former Governor David H. Goodell (1889-1891), former Governor…

GLC03804.23

4 December 1897

Zelaya, José Santos, 1853-1919

Document

Title: Monopoly of lead, fulminating caps and cartridges for shot guns and revolvers

Contract approved by Zelaya as President of Nicaragua. Contract given by Minister of Finance Enrique Lopez. Probably arranged by Walker in retirement from the U.S. Navy working on the canal commission in Nicaragua, but his signature is not on the document. The president offered this contract to "increase the sources of revenue, so as to meet the increased expenditures which the public service demand." The contract contains 8 articles, the more important of which state that lead, caps, and cartridges can only be sold at government depots; lists of the stocks of these items owned by merchants…

GLC03804.24

January 18, 1898

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Receipt

Title: [John G. Walker's reciept from the Gran Hotel in Managua, Nicaragua] [In Spanish]

Receipt for $219.30 from the Gran Hotel in Managua. Walker appears to have been entertaining guests or dignitaries. Receipt lists payments for a special apartment, 3 servants, and several bottles of wine, beer, and champagne. One of the guests with Walker is A. G. Menocal, who is tried before a U.S. Navy General Court in May 1898. Walker testified at the trial -- see GLC 03804.26. Another guest is Lewis M. Haupt, who wrote a letter to Walker at GLC03804.30.

GLC03804.25

9 September 1898

Haupt, Lewis M., 1844-1937

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Haupt, who was working with Walker in Nicaragua (see GLC03804.25 -- he is referenced as one of the guests on the receipt) on the feasibility of creating a canal there. Says he heard that "Menocal has been 'pardoned'" and assigned to duty "on the Commission." (see GLC03804.25 and .26). Also reports that "Ehle" has returned to the United States without any data, which is withheld at Greytown, Nicaragua, and that "parties are still in the field." Says he has been advised that Mr. Huntington has such control over Congress that no canal bill can be passed inside of two years. Haupt…

GLC03804.30

January 23, 1899

Kingman, W., fl. 1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written on letterhead of the Caribbean & Pacific Transit Co. Ltd. Written and signed by W. Kingman, who appears to be the General Manager of the company to Rear Admiral Walker as President of the Canal Commission. Provides dates when the ship "Victoria" can be placed at his disposal for the transport of the canal commissioners "to points on the Lake."

GLC03804.31

3 March 1899

Cheney, Leonard, fl. 1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written on stationery of the General Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States. Written by Cheney as the group's General Recorder to Walker as a retired Rear Admiral. Happily reports to Walker that he was unanimiously elected at the Triennial Congress of the Naval Order to the office of General Commander. He is to serve until 5 October 1901. Asks to be notified of his acceptance.

GLC03804.32

10 April 1918

Wakeman, Samuel Wiley, fl. 1917-1929

Typed letter signed

Title: to Francis Pickering Walker Thomas

Written on the stationery of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Ltd.'s Fore River Plant. Signed by Wakeman as the General Manager of the shipyard to the daughter of the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker. Says he has been informed that she will christen the USS "Walker," which his shipyard is currently building. Says the boat will be launched sometime in the late summer and that he will notify her of exact arrangements.

GLC03804.46