January 23, 1904

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Letter written in a clerical hand with an illegible signature. Sent to retired Rear Admiral Walker as President of the Isthmian Canal Commission. References Walker's letter of 11 January. Has read his remarks on the canal treaty and says his report is "reassuring." Says "The Convention" -- probably the Constituent Assembly of Panama -- began its proceedings on 15 January. Also sends along a message from "the Junta of the Provisional Government" that was sent to the Convention. Says he sent along Walker's kind wishes to their friends in Panama. Stamp in purple ink on first page says "Received…

GLC03804.37

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

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

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

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

circa post 1907

Westcott, Allen, fl. 1907

Typed manuscript

Title: [Biography of John Grimes Walker]

Typed biography of Rear Admiral John G. Walker by Westcott (whose relation to the Walker family is unknown). Commences from his birth in New Hampshire in 1835 and goes to his death 1907. Provides a quick summary of his Civil War service, work in the Navy after the war, and his work in retirement as the President of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Corrections made throughout in several different inks. Stapled in upper left corner with 2 hole punches at the top of the document.

GLC03804.50

14 October 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Describes the surroundings of Chaffin's Farm and writes that some of the Union men have been trading newspapers with neighboring rebels. Discusses the election of 1864. Wishes the canal would be completed so that they can drive the rebels into Richmond.

GLC02016.063

29 October 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to colonel

Updates him on the recent "disastrous battle" fought; the battle of Chaffin's Farm. Writes that he has received the electoral tickets and found that some were not correct. Is wary of fake electoral tickets and will make sure that the soldiers are not deceived. Hopes that Lincoln wins in Pennsylvania. The building of the canal is progressing, though it will take approximately another six weeks to complete. Writes that the rebel line captured at Chaffin's Farm could not be held. Reports that deserters continue to come in.

GLC02016.066

November 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Reports that Butler's canal is finished; torpedoes and mines will be laid in the canal. Discusses his Thanksgiving meal, which consisted of turkey, chicken, walnuts, and cranberries. Reports that the regiment has received one hundred recruits of which twenty have gone to Painter's company. Writes that he is no longer in the mail department because he received orders to report to his company for duty. Reports that Dr. Strawbridge, the medical director of the 18th Army Corps, was captured by rebels. Signs the letter as "Sgt. Heber Painter."

GLC02016.067

December 4, 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his aunt

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes that white troops from the 10th and 18th Army Corps and colored troops of the same will be consolidated to form one colored Corps and one white Corps. Feels that the new arrangement will not be as efficient because the colored troops need the morale of the white troops to inspire in them the confidence that they lack. Advantageously for the white troops, the new arrangement will force the colored troops to do picket and fatigue duties, which they have not done before. Reports that the canal is finished with the exception of…

GLC02016.069

December 23, 1831

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Serving as Massachusetts Senator, Webster informs his brother-in-law that he will be travelling to Baltimore and Annapolis to assist in settling a legal dispute between the Maryland Rail Road and Canal. Asks if "Mrs. Webster and the girls ... talk and laugh as usual, or [if] the cold weather sealed their lips." Reports that he enjoys the company of Paige's business partner Nathan Appleton, elected in 1830 as Massachusetts Representative, and adds that he anticipates debates about the Tarriff Bill to ensue.

GLC01946.14

1864

South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, 1827-1843

Printed document signed

Title: [One dollar bill issued by the South Carolina Rail Road]

The auditor's signature is illegible. The money was in the wallet of Robert Bayly Winder, Captain and Assistant Quarter Master Confederate States of America (see GLC07271.07.01).

GLC07271.07.02

21 August 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letters of 12 and 15 August. Comments he will be mortified if "our transfers did not arrive in season to avail yourself of the highest going price." Notes he could have sold them to be delivered in a few days, which was the usual practice. States he will be anxious until he hears from Knox as script is now 150-160. Says the Committee for the Sale of Eastern Lands met last Thursday. Only 3 were present: Philips, Jarvis, and Read. He proposed to purchase the townships at the head of the patent, but they declined. They put off a decision until the entire committee will…

GLC02437.05130

28 August 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 22 August. Asks if he has any influence to exert it for John Coffin Jones to become the Director of the Bank. Jones owns 80 shares and Jackson says "few are better qualified for that important trust - he is now at Newport with an intention of handing his little girl up to the Alter before his return." Notes Captain John Hills must be with him by now. Reports that Hills "conducted very improperly while here, as he was d[runk] very frequently & exposed himself too much." Says Knox needs to talk to him as no one in Boston will trust him "if guilty of that…

GLC02437.05136

February 12, 1792

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides an update on the Committee's debates regarding the Waldo patent lands. Comments on Knox's request that he purchase the portion of the town of Trenton belonging to Colonel Jones. Reports his happiness at seeing the reasons for the Indian War published. Discusses the reenlistment of soldiers in the army; many soldiers who served during the Revolutionary War will not reenlist unless they are promoted. Explains that Major Jack Tyler, who served 1777-1779, would like to serve again, but only as a major. Describes Tyler's virtues and his current circumstances. Requests appointments…

GLC02437.05317

9 March 1792

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Act allowing Henry Knox and others to build a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston]

Act allowing Henry Knox, John Coffin Jones, David Cobb, Benjamin Hichborn, and Henry Jackson to construct a canal connecting the Connecticut River to Boston. Signed for David Cobb, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts; Samuel Phillips, President of the Senate; and John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts; by John Avery, Jr., Secretary.

GLC02437.05339

3 January 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 13, no. 260 (January 3, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. In response to an article in the "Chicago Tribune," front page has an article mockingly titled "New Orleans Ruined!-Cotton Doomed!" that says the city's markets will survive if New Yorkers eliminate tolls on Erie Canal. Front page reference to the Henry Winter Davis proposal to keep the peace between North and South. The Daily Crescent rejects it out of hand. Front page essay titled "Secession vs. Co-Operation" by "A Citizen" rejects cooperation, i.e. talks, with the North and says "Redress for past injuries and security for the future are all that the people of…

GLC05960.02.02

February 1, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph and his wife

Written in the field near Vicksburg, on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, discusses recent Union attempts to take Vicksburg, Mississippi by way of a constructed canal. He writes: "You need not be troubled but what we will take Vicksburg, but I confess that I consider it very doubtful whether we will now. If we do take it, it will be by very hard fighting. The rebels appreciate the importance of this point as well as we do... I hope that our Generals will not waste any more valuable lives... Bayonet charges are very…

GLC00653.09.03

circa 1790

Manuscript document

Title: [Cost estimates to dig a canal]

Estimates labor costs to build a 90 mile canal with 60 locks at "386.400" dollars. Estimates it would take 1,000 men about 2 years to complete.

GLC02437.08440

9 November 1846

Ball, Charles L., fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William and R.P. Remington

Discusses selling some bonds of the Cincinnati & Whitewater Canal Co. which were jointly owned by a group of men including the Remingtons. Asks for the Remingtons' views on the matter.

GLC03545.24.38