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Massachusetts Historical Society

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society celebrates history as “not just a series of events that happened to individuals long ago but … integral to the fabric of our daily lives.” The MHS is noted for its holdings of personal papers related to John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

Theodore Roosevelt related items in this collection include photos of Roosevelt speaking at his inauguration, TR in his frontiersman attire, as well as a signed photograph given from Roosevelt to his close friend and confidant Henry Cabot Lodge. Letters from TR to Lodge are also included. Other correspondence highlights are Roosevelt writing to members of the Saltonstall family and a letter from Roosevelt to Mary Bowditch Forbes commenting on pacifist women.

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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt intends to settle the Post Office matter when he returns to Washington, D.C., and he is thankful that August W. Machen is an inheritance from Grover Cleveland. Roosevelt believes that his western trip has been successful, but he is glad that the trip is almost over, even though William H. Moody has been “a real comfort.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt has enjoyed his trip, but is glad to begin his return home tomorrow. Grover Cleveland has a good deal of support as a potential Democratic nominee in the 1904 presidential election, but Roosevelt believes that he will “drive certain Democrats away” if nominated. Senator Hanna is “showing his hand” as an opponent to Roosevelt’s nomination, although Roosevelt believes his reasons for doing so are nonsense.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Excerpt from address by Theodore Roosevelt at Everett, Washington

Excerpt from address by Theodore Roosevelt at Everett, Washington

President Roosevelt speaks of the importance of national unity, saying that dividing the nation by caste, creed, or locality is the surest path to destruction. He believes the government should not devolve either to government by a moneyed elite or by the masses of the poor who want to destroy the wealthy. He says that the character of a person is more important than their possessions when determining their worth.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Excerpt from address by Theodore Roosevelt at Butte, Montana

Excerpt from address by Theodore Roosevelt at Butte, Montana

President Roosevelt speaks in Butte, Montana, on the character of the United States, and denounces sectionalism and factionalism that seek to divide the country. He particularly emphasizes this point regarding the tension between different social classes, and says that the law must apply fairly to everyone, regardless of section, creed, or class. He says that the government must never be a plutocracy or one that has been given over to mob rule. He denounces millenarianism, and says that the United States must work through its problems in practical ways, rather than hoping for miracles to solve everything.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Senator Hanna was making moves at the Ohio Convention to oppose President Roosevelt’s nomination as the Republican candidate for the 1904 presidential election. Roosevelt considers Hanna his main opponent for the nomination and successfully forced Hanna to back down. Roosevelt considers his western trip a success but is “feeling jaded and tired.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt describes a 62-mile horse ride to Cheyenne, Wyoming, he took with Presley Marion Rixey, Senator Francis E. Warren, and Mr. Van Tassel, the owner of the ranch at which Roosevelt’s party ate lunch. After the ride, Roosevelt led a procession into Cheyenne and made a 45-minute speech at the city’s Memorial Day services. Roosevelt adds a post-script describing a second, 30-mile, horse ride to Warren’s ranch.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt is concerned that Democratic newspapers are crediting Assistant Postmaster General Robert John Wynne with bringing the Post Office scandal to light, instead of Postmaster General Henry C. Payne or Fourth Assistant Joseph L. Bristow. The newspapers try to blame Payne and Roosevelt, “concealing the fact” that they came into power long after the events took place.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-06-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

There is a movement to make General Nelson Appleton Miles the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and then the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. As commander, Miles could create problems for the Republican Party by making “demands on the Pension Office and posing as the friend of the soldier.” President Roosevelt considers Miles a self-interested liar and traitor. The financial situation is “ugly” and Roosevelt blames the panic on “speculative watering of stocks on a giant scale.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Due to poor negotiations with the British and Canadians, President Roosevelt intends to announce that the United States will claim and occupy all disputed territory. However, Roosevelt will speak mildly and make no threats. Roosevelt is pleased with the improving conditions in the business world and will be reviewing the naval squadron tomorrow.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt goes over the events in the controversy at the Government Printing Office. He is pleased that the situation with Wall Street has improved. Roosevelt is annoyed over the public outcry that emerged when no special commendation was offered to General Nelson Appleton Miles upon his retirement. Such a commendation would have been unprecedented and Roosevelt continues to have a very low opinion of Miles.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-09-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919