Clarkson, James Sullivan, 1842-1918

Surveyor of Customs Clarkson suggests that President Roosevelt meet with Leigh S. J. Hunt, who has just returned from abroad and has a lot to say about his experiences in Egypt and the Sudan, as well as the Russo-Japanese War. Clarkson reports that in New York, the Democrats are turning against Alton B. Parker. The Republicans in New York are nervous regarding the Secretaryship of the Panama Commission, with support for Edward Charles O’Brien. It has been asserted that five of the seven commissioners are Democrats, and Clarkson suggests that Roosevelt consider whether there is a Republican secretary who could be as good as the Democrats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-11

James Sullivan Clarkson encloses an article about the “negro question” by Carl Schurz, which he highly praises and is also sending to Booker T. Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-23

James Sullivan Clarkson, Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York, tells William Loeb that he will take the matter of Billy Wood’s potential employment up with collector of the port Nevada N. Stranahan when Stranahan returns. Clarkson also informs Loeb that he has arranged for James O. Wood to receive a three months appointment as special attendant, and encloses a note from James L. Gerry on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-17

James Sullivan Clarkson encloses a letter that professes support for President Roosevelt among the “Irish-Catholic” community.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-11

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-11

Creator(s)

Clarkson, James Sullivan, 1842-1918

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

James Sullivan Clarkson asks William Loeb to do what he can to allow his son Grosvenor B. Clarkson’s testimony in the land fraud trial of Benjamin H. Tallmage to be taken in New York rather than New Mexico, where the trial is being held. Grosvener had been severely beaten in the process of the investigation and has still not recovered. Clarkson fears the journey will reverse any improvements he had made and asks Loeb as a fellow father to use his influence to prevent it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-02

Surveyor of Customs Clarkson summarizes a letter he had received from Davis S. Chamberlain, who had recently been to Japan and warned of its looming military threat. Clarkson is forwarding the letter to William Loeb and adds that he considers Chamberlain’s insight regarding how to improve the Navy to prepare for a potential Japanese attack valuable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-20

New York Surveyor of Customs Sullivan encloses a letter from William E. Mason and asks William Loeb to decide whether to give it to President Roosevelt. Sullivan explains that he has known Mason for many years. Although he has redeeming qualities, Mason is stubborn and unlikely to succeed against stronger politicians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-04

James Sullivan Clarkson, Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York, sends Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor Herbert Knox Smith’s letters about children’s rights to life preservers to William Loeb. He also sends a report of the violations of the navigation laws in the Port of New York. To prevent future occurrences, Clarkson believes all violators need to be “properly disciplined” and not treated with leniency, as has hitherto been the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Surveyor of Customs Clarkson sends Nevada N. Stranahan, collector of the Port of New York, a report of recent violations of the navigation laws in the Port of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-28

Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York Clarkson reports to William Loeb that voters in the South and West want President Roosevelt to be re-elected, though they admire William H. Taft, and George B. Cortelyou is also favored. Clarkson asks for clarity as to who he should expect to provide direction for him in the coming campaign. Representative Herbert Parsons wishes to change several appointments, some of which have been under the control of the Surveyor. Clarkson also discusses the presidential campaign in Iowa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-13

James Sullivan Clarkson explains the political situation in Iowa to William Loeb. Clarkson is concerned that a group of powerful men and various corporations is conspiring to control delegations in Iowa and the surrounding states to the detriment of President Roosevelt and Vice President Taft. In particular General Dodge, a close friend of Governor Cumins, is thought to be behind the operation. Clarkson believes that most people will support Roosevelt’s cause, including capitalists who have criticized him in the past. A handwritten note posits that perhaps Dodge is actually on Roosevelt’s side and is influencing matters in his favor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-24

James Sullivan Clarkson informs William Loeb that his nephew, recently returned from the West, has informed him that the entire country is behind President Roosevelt for a third term and that “if the Republicans do not nominate him, the Democrats will.” Clarkson assures Loeb that the people he talks to also convey the same message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-03

Surveyor James Sullivan Clarkson tells William Loeb about a secret movement in Tammany Hall to put General Ulysses S. Grant’s son, Jesse Root Grant, on the democratic ticket for 1908. All the states involved in organizing the movement so far are in the West and Northwest, and the idea is to “head off” William Jennings Bryan and William Randolph Hearst. Clarkson thinks it is “a pretty smart game” and emphasizes how important it is to keep it from going public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-24

James Sullivan Clarkson informs William Loeb that Secretary of State Elihu Root is “making such a splendid impression in South America.” He commends the South American ministers on their preparations for Root’s visit, suggests releasing photographs of the tour to the newspapers, and notes Uruguay’s desire to trade more with the United States and less with Germany and England. Clarkson relates his approval of the campaign finance changes proposed by President Roosevelt and speaks in detail of the Republican National Committee’s expenditures in the presidential elections of 1884, 1888, and 1892.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-19

James Sullivan Clarkson encloses a letter from his son, who has been living in Montevideo, Uruguay, for multiple years and is acquainted with President Ordóñez and other native dignitaries. Clarkson’s son often writes to him about the poor repute in which America is held because of the boorish ministers sent there. Clarkson notes that General Edward C. O’Brien has worked hard to counteract this impression of America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-06

James Sullivan Clarkson encloses a letter from Judge Lindsley, former Supreme Court Judge in the state of Washington, regarding the vacant judgeship. Clarkson discusses “land ring” frauds in Oregon as well as other states and territories. Clarkson also describes Special Agent Grosvenor B. Clarkson’s successful investigation and arrests in New Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-13

Surveyor of Customs Clarkson writes to William Loeb about a hammock which is to be sent to President Roosevelt. The hammock is a diplomatic gift from United States Minister William B. Sorsby who found the hammock while serving as a diplomat in South America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-01

After James Sullivan Clarkson reads about a speech that Abraham Lincoln gave in 1858 in Abbott’s History of the Civil War and the Growth and Downfall of Slavery, he forwards a copy to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-07

James Sullivan Clarkson forwards a letter to President Roosevelt from a Mr. Scott of the Pacific Company concerning a business investment in Peru.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-01