CHAPTER 19

New York, December 1, 1898

At the end of his visit to Venezuela, Philippe traveled to New York, where he stayed at Mr. Bigelow’s house. Over the last two years, the Bigelow and Bunau-Varilla families had become friends, especially after Philippe invited the Bigelows to stay at his house in Paris where he acted as a splendid host. During this stay, he shared with Bigelow the plan he’d devised with Loomis in Venezuela. Save for certain recommendations made by the elder diplomat, which Philippe immediately accepted, the plan had been very well received.

Reticently, but following Bigelow’s advice, Philippe visited William Nelson Cromwell, representative for the Canal Company in the United States, at his Manhattan offices to get him involved. “Mr. Cromwell, what we are about to discuss has to be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the French engineer stated before continuing, “We have a common goal, which is to see the Panama Canal come to fruition. If we work together, we can make this happen.”

Philippe went on to propose to Cromwell that they unite forces so that the United States would abandon their plans to construct the Canal in Nicaragua and instead, acquire the assets of the Panama Canal Company. This sounded great to Cromwell, who was also a shareholder in the company.

Each of them would work in their area of expertise: Cromwell would discreetly lobby influential senators, especially Mark Hanna, and if possible, President McKinley. Philippe would try to convince as many American industrialists and businessmen as he could. He would present himself as a champion for Panama out of pure conviction, since he had no formal ties to the Canal Company. “Well, aside from the shares that Lemarquis obliged me to buy,” Philippe said, in an unsuccessful attempt to break the ice.

Cromwell knew that no shareholder, not even the president of the Company, Maurice Hutin, had as much interest in the Panama Canal being completed as did this Frenchman. Something was motivating Bunau-Varilla tremendously, but William wasn’t sure what that thing was. After all, what interested him was the commission he’d earn for selling the company and if he could get help doing that for free, perfect. So after a few meetings, Cromwell agreed to collaborate with Philippe and that’s when their secret society began.

Across the city, from his office in Gramercy Park, John Bigelow, wrote a letter to his former assistant of many years. “Dear Mr. Secretary of State…”

John Milton Hay, who, after serving as secretary to Abraham Lincoln was sent to France as a diplomat, also had the honor of working for John Bigelow at that time. Writer of novels, devoted father and dedicated patriot, Hay highly respected the opinion of his venerable former boss.

The letter basically explained that, with all due respect, Bigelow wanted to share his suggestions for the secretary’s consideration. Perhaps it was wise not to proceed with the plan to resurrect the Nicaragua Canal without first evaluating the opportunity presented by Panama. The progress in excavation made by the French couldn’t be ignored and maybe it would be wise to put off continuing with Nicaragua until other options had been considered. Perhaps the French would be willing to sell the New Canal Company so that another country could finish the project?

Bigelow’s involvement and the delay that had occurred in the Senate would allow President McKinley, in March of 1899, to be swayed by Bigelow and Cromwell to establish a new committee that would be responsible for evaluating both routes and recommending the better of the two. Members had been carefully selected by Cromwell, who, to Philippe’s surprise, had abundant authority over certain influential politicians.

Consequently, the former Nicaraguan Canal Commission came to be called the Isthmus Canal Commission, avoiding attachment to a particularly named route. The new entity was commonly known as the Second Walker Commission in honor of Admiral John G. Walker, who would also lead this group. Panama was coming back to life.

By August of that year, the members of the new Commission would make their first exploratory trip to decide which route was better. But instead of going to Nicaragua or Panama, they would go to Paris.