Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-04-13

Creator(s)

Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919

Recipient

Stewart, John Appleton, 1865-1928

Andrew Carnegie informs Theodore Roosevelt they do not need to change their plans to meet in London, England. He has not seen the newspapers from Berlin, Germany. However, he feels that Roosevelt’s friendship with Emperor William II may prove helpful, as will his becoming familiar with leaders of other lands since Roosevelt’s political future is likely to exceed his past. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-02-14

Andrew Carnegie praises President Roosevelt for his conduct in office. Carnegie has known six presidents but none to whom he has been so attracted as Roosevelt. Carnegie hopes that Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will able to visit and spend a few days with himself and his wife Louise Whitfield Carnegie.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-03

Andrew Carnegie requests that Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus show the enclosure to President Roosevelt if he thinks it advisable. The point about Elihu Root may defeat them on a technicality; perhaps Roosevelt could write something “calculated to remove the impression.” Roosevelt does not have time to accept every invitation he receives, and Carnegie does not think his refusal will offend anyone. Carnegie wishes he could see Roosevelt one last time while he is in office, but will likely say farewell in person before his departure for Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-26

As President of the New York Peace Society, Andrew Carnegie informs President Roosevelt that a meeting may soon take place to attempt to sway Governor of California James Norris Gillett to stop certain anti-Japanese immigration bills in the California legislature. Carnegie believes, however, that it may be wise to wait for further developments before such a meeting takes place and asks for Roosevelt’s input.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-21

Andrew Carnegie and his wife, Louise Whitfield Carnegie, have a meeting in Washington, D.C., on December 8, but are at President Roosevelt’s disposal “any day & hour.” Carnegie remarks that “our impulsive friend,” Emperor William II of Germany, has slipped up and does not want to be seen as Great Britain’s enemy. Carnegie believes everything will blow over. The rulers of Europe are the real “big game” Roosevelt will encounter after Africa. Carnegie would like Roosevelt to read the chapter on “Family Relations” in his new book, Problems of To-day.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-15

Andrew Carnegie encloses his introduction to a volume of President Roosevelt’s speeches, as well as Roosevelt’s note praising the introduction. Carnegie speculates about writing an introduction to an American edition of Emperor William II’s speeches and writes a flattering sample of a possible final paragraph praising William II’s commitment to international arbitration and world peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-04

Andrew Carnegie heard that Emperor William II spoke about funny things that had happened between them, of which President Roosevelt was a party. Carnegie believes that with Roosevelt’s influence, William II could bring peace to the world. Carnegie also states that his wife, Louise, enjoyed her visit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-12

Andrew Carnegie notifies William Loeb that he had sent the wrong document yesterday, and asks Loeb to destroy it. He is sending the correct document.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-17

Andrew Carnegie has been urged to publicize some remarks he recently made, and sends President Roosevelt the first copy of what will be published. He is pleased by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s recent statement on maintaining the gold standard and separating government debt from banking. Carnegie believes that an amendment to a current bill that would require banks to keep part of their reserves in gold would help the Republican party in the upcoming election. He appreciates the international arbitration treaties that Roosevelt’s administration is negotiating, and thinks that Secretary of State Elihu Root should win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-15

In his speech on banking and currency, Andrew Carnegie compares the government bond-backed American banking system to the gold-backed European and Canadian systems and advocates for a switch from bonds to gold in American banks. Bonds are not a stable backing for currency and war could cause values to fluctuate. Carnegie is in favor of slowly, gradually, and cautiously switching to the gold standard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-14

Andrew Carnegie has donated more than 50 million dollars to libraries and would like to donate to a new cause. He has asked President Roosevelt and several others, including Secretary of State Elihu Root, for ideas. He has been giving to Berea College for several years, and will give more provided its president, William G. Frost, gives funds to a newly-established African American school. To date Carnegie has given between 19 and 20 million dollars to small colleges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-28

Andrew Carnegie asks President Roosevelt what he believes would be the best use of five or ten million dollars.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Andrew Carnegie told President Roosevelt’s fish story and Austen G. Fox told the enclosed story, in which a fish eats its own eye for bait. Carnegie wishes Roosevelt a merry Christmas and says he greatly enjoyed the banquet and Secretary of State Elihu Root’s company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-23

Andrew Carnegie feels sorry that the United States will not have President Roosevelt for another term in office. He praises Roosevelt for his reforms “in departments in control of corporations, banking and currency” and using federal power to solve interstate problems. Carnegie hopes Secretary of War William H. Taft can continue Roosevelt’s work. Advising Roosevelt to take his wife on a trip around the world after his term ends, Carnegie explains, “then you are cosmopolitan and able to judge correctly upon world affairs.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-15

Andrew Carnegie has a “deep anxiety” about President Roosevelt’s plan to expand the number of ships in the Navy. This reversal of his original disarmament policy could harm relations with other naval powers, particularly Great Britain, which had been committed to reducing its naval arsenal over the past several years. While Carnegie dismisses the possibility of a war, he cautions that such an act will cause unnecessary tension, give Roosevelt the appearance of weakness and indecisiveness, and would bring unnecessary expenditures during a time of economic crisis. Carnegie instead urges Roosevelt to focus his energies on helping economic recovery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-18

Andrew Carnegie updates President Roosevelt on matters in Great Britain. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s handling of the “Japanese flurry” was masterful, and says Japan will not make any more trouble due to her financial status. Carnegie notes that many countries are restricting entry to Japanese citizens, and that Roosevelt has solved the problem. Carnegie comments on the stances of Great Britain and Germany at the International Peace Conference at The Hague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-31

Andrew Carnegie sends President Roosevelt newspaper clippings from the London Times discussing Roosevelt’s step toward reforming the English language. Professor Walter W. Skeat and the other British philologists approve and welcome Roosevelt’s actions. Carnegie is working with Skeat to create a joint committee to work on the language reforms and would like Roosevelt’s approval “so that the whole English-speaking race should march forward in unison.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Andrew Carnegie agrees with President Roosevelt on disarmament, although he recognizes that it will be difficult to formulate a satisfactory plan. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s declaration that the United States does not seek to increase the present Navy but only to maintain it will be the great force making for agreement. Carnegie criticizes the practice of failing to give previous notice of war before attacking, and presents the “League of Peace” idea as the easiest and best solution. He encourages Roosevelt to be the one to formally propose it, as the United States is the only great power “free from international jealousies.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Andrew Carnegie has enclosed Prime Minister Bannerman’s speech from the recent conference. Carnegie had showed President Roosevelt’s most recent letter to both Bannerman as well as John Morley and other Cabinet members. Morley referenced Roosevelt’s note again in a letter and was influenced by it in his decision making process about the Cabinet. Carnegie thinks Roosevelt’s policy will be welcomed and followed elsewhere. Elihu Root has sent Carnegie a confidential report on the Russians. Carnegie sends well wishes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and notes that his wife Louise Whitfield Carnegie places the Roosevelts high on their book.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27