It seems de Lesseps had asked the French Government to authorize a lottery to raise money to finish the canal, when a prominent engineer (Rouseux) was sent to report if the lottery was likely to succeed in furnishing enough to finish the canal. If his report was favorable the lottery would be authorized. If not, the company would collapse, and the consensus of opinion was his report would be unfavorable. On this information I wrote explaining it to President Cleveland, suggesting that the Government send competent men to learn the facts, and if necessary to prevent any more of our people going there. It was only about sixty days after this that Mr. Rouseux made his report, and the Canal Company was suspended.

I found the United States of Colombia did not sell its land, but gave leases, thus holding the fee. If we had done this, instead of letting individuals take the “unearned increment” of value in realty, the country would own it, and enjoy the immense advances in many instances. Now that the land is owned individually, it would hardly be fair to tax it, so as to compel its sale, unless all the money invested in it, with interest and taxes paid was returned to the present owners. It being only fair if private property is taken for public benefit, it should be paid for.

I found, also, that the Colombian Government granted concessions to do business to various individuals. Of course, they made enormous profits on their wares. This is practically what we are now doing in giving privileges or franchises to do business, only we get nothing in return.

When I was on the Isthmus in 1886 the death rate was high, due to yellow fever. The railroad used to run a death train every day, picking up the corpses, which were laid out along the track. The train ran to Monkey Hill cemetery. One day a trainman called out: “This man is not dead.” “Oh! put him on,” was the reply, “He will be dead before he gets there.” – So he went to the cemetery.

Young people are apt to ignore the immense complexity of life and to regard the events of the moment as final in themselves. As a matter of fact almost everything that happens has some sort of reciprocal relation with other things. From this it follows that strict observance of the Golden Rule is not only the best morality but extremely good policy as a matter of self-interest. I am prompted to make this observation right here because it is suggested by the visit of the United States Gunboat “Nashville” to St. Louis a few years ago. Captain Washburn Maynard, the Commander, was first officer of the “Brooklyn” during the four-month voyage against the Honduran filibusters, which I have described in some detail. Naturally I was the recipient of many pleasant courtesies from him, and it was a real pleasure to receive him in St. Louis and to reciprocate some of his attentions. As it happened I was placed in charge of the entertainment, representing Mayor Ziegenhein, and acted as head dragoman on a trip to Jefferson Barracks and to places of interest in the City. The naval party was entertained at dinner at the Merchants Exchange, at the Anheuser-Busch plants, Fausts, and everything possible was done in their honor, including the firing of a national salute. The following day I had the pleasure of giving a dinner in honor of Captain Maynard and his suite.
In April, 1886, I was reluctantly obliged to end my trip on the “Brooklyn” to be present at your sister Belle’s marriage to Saunders Norvell. I was asked to take a trip around the world on the same vessel, but had to decline, as it would have taken a year. Your brother Will went in my stead.