English: John Milton Hay (October 8, 1838 - July 1, 1905) was an American politician who served as Secretary of State from 1898 to 1905. his public career began as a secretary to Abraham Lincoln and is credited by some as being the author of Lincoln's letter to the Widow Bixby, consoling her for the loss of her sons in the war. Hay was present when Lincoln died after being shot at Ford's Theatre. In August 1898, Hay was named Secretary of State and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris (1898). His contributions included the adoption of an Open Door Policy in China (announced on January 2, 1900) and the preparations for the Panama Canal. He negotiated the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901), the Hay-Herran Treaty (1903), and the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty (1903), all of which were instrumental clearing the way for the construction and usage of the Canal.

Office of the Secretary of State

Ca. 1900