Box 1

"Mr. Chauncey and Myself..."; "Desco tener..."

One ALS in Spanish from P.A. Herran to John L. Stephens requesting a meeting about the railway, and one ALS in English from Stephens to Herran agreeing to the meeting and discussing Herran's desire to conclude negotiations.

"Judging from the conversation between us..."

From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, mentioning their differing assessments of the difficulty of the undertaking, and discussing specific arrangements and probable receipts from the railroad.

"Your favor, which I happened to open..."

From John L. Stephends to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens asknowledges the news of the death of a mutual friend. He also discusses travelling conditions and costs.

"I have profited by a visit to the Governor..."

An incomplete ALS from John L. Stephens to William H. Aspinwall, on conditions set by the Governor [of New Granada] for contruction, on the efficiency of some employees, and on progress being made on the railway.

"I have before me your private letters of 6th..."

From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens expresses his concern for Chauncey's "indisposition," and suggests a vacation to Italy. He also discusses the progress of the railway, observed after a trip up-river.

"I received your very welcome lines by the Ohio..."

From John Stephens to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens accepts Chauncey's resignation for health reasons, and discusses his own anxiety about the railroad project's completion.

"I have just written you such a terrific epistle..." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, again expressing his anxieties about the slow progress of the project.

"I had a vague hope of finding you at this place..." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens comments on the state of Chauncey's health, and relates information on mutual acquaintances. There is also a discussion of an altercation between Chauncey and Law.

"I have time to write you by the Empire city..." A short personal note from John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens complains that Chauncey wins "too much for Aspinwall and me," apparently referring to a chess game.

"Your first two letters came to hand..." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, expressing his satisfaction at the progress made on the railway, and his fear that "...from physical causes the section from Navy Bay to Gatun is the hardest."

"At a numerous and highly respectable meeting..." Copy by John L. Stephens of minutes of a meeting in which Henry Chauncey is honored as "a man of talent, and in every respect a gentleman...." Stephens is delegated to inform Chauncey.

"Your lines dated 'off Havana' did not reach me..." A short letter from John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, in which Stephens expresses his pleasure at Chauncey's improving health, and his hopes that they will soon meet. Stephens mentions that he also is using a crutch.

"There was a good reason for not hearing from me..." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, reiterating his desire to see Chauncey return to Panama. He also writes that things are going better than they had been, but he will not stop worrying yet.

"I have received your favor of 16th..." John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, on laying the cornerstone of a new building and on christening the new town Aspinwall. Stephens also writes again that he looks forward to Chauncey's coming to Panama.

"I received your friendly memorial by the Prometheus..." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, on his problems with an English company. He writes that he would like to exclude them because of the U.K.'s lack of newutrality treaty with New Granada, as supported by the company charter.

"I am most happy to hear of your convalescence." From John L. Stephens to Henry Chauncey, on naming the town they have established in Panama. Stephens related the joke that it be called "Aspinwall," and discusses how the town is to be named.

Photocopies excerpt of Chapter 4 and Index. Photocopy in black folder of the section of Mr. Rink's book that deals with the building of the Panama Railroad, the forefrunner of the Panama Canal.

Photocopy of pp. 145 - 169: Article "Panama Railroad." A photocopy of an article from the "Tropical Journeyings" series on a trip from Portobello to Aspinwall on the Panama Railroad. Also included are photocopies of a 1904 and an undated newspaper article.