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Library of Congress Manuscript Division

typed copy from LOC Papers April 1904

112,743 Results

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Captain Mahan sends Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt some of his various thoughts about naval and international matters. Emphasizing that he does not want Roosevelt to think he aims to do more than suggest ideas for consideration, Mahan draws Roosevelt’s attention to a news article suggesting Japan’s proposed program of building ships, and muses about United States relations with the Asian nation. Mahan feels that there is more chance of naval trouble in the Pacific than the Atlantic, and believes that former president Grover Cleveland should have fully annexed Hawaii when he had the chance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-01

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous recounts the results of several of his recent hunting trips to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt. Selous regrets that he will have to put off meeting Roosevelt in person slightly longer, as he has now been invited to attend the meeting of the British Association in Toronto, Canada, and will travel to the Rocky Mountains directly from there. He then plans to travel to the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming and hunt elk. Selous anticipates that he will be able to meet Roosevelt after his hunt, and looks forward to it. He thanks Roosevelt for the assistance he has already given in planning the trip, and requests that he send him a map.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-04

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Captain Mahan emphasizes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that he writes only to suggest thoughts or give information–not to influence action. He calls Roosevelt’s attention to two related factors: a previous article he wrote suggesting that the threat to Hawaii is from Asia, rather than Europe, and a situation in South America which saw the United States worried about not having a battleship in the Pacific Ocean. He suggests that a similar situation could now occur if the Japanese have two battleships while the United States has only one. Mahan feels that it is important that the United States begin to prepare its fleets in order to avert potential conflict, saying “preparedness deters the foe,” and helps maintain peace without actually having to fight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-06

Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies

Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies

C. Hart Merriam examines whether the system of classifying species is satisfactory or not. It will be years before it can be said with certainty that forms “do or do not intergrade.” A fixed nomenclature will be impossible until that point. Merriam concludes his argument by urging museums, sportsmen, and naturalists “to secure and preserve specimens of our larger mammals from remote parts of their ranges.” A handwritten note dated May 13 from the editor of Science asks whether the recipient would like to discuss Merriam’s position further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-14

Letter from James Bryce to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from James Bryce to Theodore Roosevelt

James Bryce planned on writing a longer letter to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt but has been too busy with work. He is glad Roosevelt left the New York Police Department for the federal position. Bryce plans to visit the United States in the fall and hopes to see Roosevelt during his trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-07-07

Letter from Edwin Lawrence Godkin to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Edwin Lawrence Godkin to Theodore Roosevelt

Edwin Lawrence Godkin is sorry to hear that Theodore Roosevelt left the New York Police Department to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He feels that Roosevelt was doing the greatest work as a police commissioner and was an example to the country’s young men in showing the importance of having a high character in such an important office. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-07-07

Letter from Bellamy Storer to Russell A. Alger

Letter from Bellamy Storer to Russell A. Alger

Bellamy Storer writes in commendation of Lieutenant Floyd W. Harris of the 4th Calvary, who recently departed Brussels. Harris performed his duties in an admirable manner, the ministers and high officials of the Belgian government have a high regard for him, and “the King himself spoke very kindly of him” and hopes for his return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-08-05