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Ambassador Griscom sends President Roosevelt a memorandum covering his meeting with King Victor Emmanuel III. He tells Roosevelt that he has created a busy schedule for Douglas and Corrine Roosevelt Robinson during their visit to Rome.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-28
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom reports on his first meeting with Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy. The king asked Griscom many rapid questions about his age, career, and health. Victor Emmanuel expressed his disdain for Brazil, based on his experience as an arbitrator between that country and British Guiana during a boundary dispute. He also described his upcoming itinerary in Greece and Sicily.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-17
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom tells President Roosevelt that Professor Archibald Cary Coolidge is doing very good work in Paris, where he is meeting and discussing matters with French intellectuals. The French have felt a lack of “intellectual intimacy” with the United States, and Coolidge is doing “semi-diplomatic work” during his lectureship there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-05
Ambassador Griscom thanks President Roosevelt for appointing him Ambassador to Italy. Having just arrived, Griscom is thankful he and his wife are closely located to arts and humanities considering their more remote previous postings. Griscom would also appreciate if Roosevelt would inform him of any pertinent political information for his job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-27
Ambassador Griscom has researched the Japanese law and customs in reference to foreigners living in Japan. The only important restriction on foreigners living in Japan is that they are denied the “right to own land in fee simple.” Foreigners are well treated and as far as Griscom is aware, there has not been a case where a foreigner has been denied justice in the Japanese Courts. While there is some amount of anti-foreign sentiment, the Japanese Government is quick to suppress such feelings when it is within their power to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom reminds President Roosevelt that Roosevelt had written that he hoped to move Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis to another position and appoint Griscom as Assistant Secretary of State. Griscom expresses his sincere gratitude for being considered for the position and hopes that he will be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Ambassador Griscom encloses translations of resolutions passed in Diet which indicate terms to include indemnity, cession of territory, and measures that will guarantee the prospect of enduring peace. Russia must be required to abstain from warlike operations threatening the frontiers of China as well as the peace of Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Resolution states that the acquisition of property, the receipt of an indemnity, and a solution regarding Korea and Manchuria must be effected in compliance with the Imperial Rescript.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Ambassador Griscom sends Secretary of State Hay an exchange of telegrams between the U.S. State Department and the Japanese Legation regarding peace talks between Russia and Japan. The telegrams discuss representatives of the Japanese government’s misgivings about Russia’s intent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Ambassador Griscom informs President Roosevelt that he can soon expect to receive a one-of-a-kind sword from the people of Sendai, Japan. Griscom mentions that Reverend D. B. Schneder is on his way to America with the sword. Griscom encourages Roosevelt to send a letter to the Sendai mayor in return for the gift.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
Ambassador Griscom tells Secretary of State Hay that instructions contained in a telegram from President Roosevelt have been carried out.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
Ambassador Griscom was asked by Japanese Foreign Office officials if the Japanese peace conference delegates could be exempted from the declaration of and medical examinations of Asians required under immigration laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
Ambassador Griscom was told by Baron Komura to inform President Roosevelt that the Japanese government is satisfied with the selection of Washington as the place of negotiations. The Japanese government was cautious about the nature of the powers to be conferred on the plenipotentiaries, but the Japanese government has confidence in Roosevelt so they accept his interpretation of Russia’s intentions and will appoint plenipotentiaries with full negotiating powers. Those appointed will be of high rank and position and will have the confidence of his Imperial Majesty and the Japanese government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Ambassador Griscom has complied with instructions from John Hay by verbally communicating a telegram message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Japanese Government will proceed with the exchange of powers but calls the President’s attention to the discrepancy between the Russian and Japanese replies. The question of full powers will be considered at a cabinet meeting today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Japan will seek to reestablish peace with Russia. To achieve this end, Japan will appoint plenipotentiaries to meet with plenipotentiaries appointed by Russia to negotiate terms of peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom writes to William Loeb regarding the destruction of Christian churches during a riot in Tokyo, Japan. Military authorities intend to offer protection.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-08
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom encloses two copies and translations of a new project which has been introduced into the Chamber of Deputies by Deputy Bernardino to establish a compensating tariff. Griscom thinks the project is of particular interest to the United States because the country would enjoy a 20 percent preferential reduction on merchandise entering Brazil. Griscom is undecided about whether to continue to press Jose Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco, for a reduction on a list of specified articles or to urge the passage of the Bernardino act, which he doubts will become law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-29
Ambassador Griscom informs Secretary of State Root that Root’s visit was “of great material benefit to the political and commercial interests” that the United States has in Brazil and elsewhere in South America. For instance, a bill has been introduced to give preferential treatment to the United States with regard to tariffs, under which American goods would benefit from a 30-40% advantage over those of Germany, Italy, and France. Additionally, some state officials are pushing their employees to learn English and encouraging Brazilian students to seek American educational opportunities rather than those of Europe. To continue the positive feelings in Brazil, Griscom encourages a reciprocal tariff reduction for Brazil, a parcel-post convention between the two nations, improved speed to ship freight there, and better steamship communications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-31
Ambassador Griscom informs President Roosevelt that he has presented President-Elect William H. Taft with his resignation, to take effect March 4, 1909. Griscom has served as a diplomat for ten years, and now looks forward to repatriating himself to the United States. He thanks Roosevelt for the opportunities he had while in the diplomatic service, and hopes that he was able to help Roosevelt’s administration through his actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-27
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom reports to President Roosevelt that he has delivered the copies of his messages, and encloses a letter of thanks from Maggiorino Ferraris. Griscom also thanks Roosevelt for the personal questions that Roosevelt posed, and says that his wife and son should be near Lake Como soon. Ferraris plans to make topics that Roosevelt raised in his letter the subject of an essay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-20