Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid writes President Roosevelt about a number of issues, both political and social. He adds more information about Lord Edward Marjoribanks Tweedmouth’s mental breakdown and discusses the man who will replace him. Reid also relays an indignant letter he got from Clarise S. Ramsay, an American who wrongly felt she should have been invited to a royal ball. Roosevelt’s plan to go on a safari in Africa after leaving office is, Reid thinks, a very good one, and Roosevelt should not need to worry about receiving proper treatment and courtesies from British officials there. On a personal note, Reid thanks Roosevelt for his kind wishes at the news of his daughter Jean’s engagement to John H. Ward. He discusses his future son-in-law and the couple’s plans following their marriage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-04

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the political exploits of Winston Churchill, who is once again running a contested election, and whose comments on Ireland have caused problems in Parliament.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-01

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of unfortunate and tragic events befalling members of the British government and their families. The “hoodoo” culminates in the death of recently-resigned Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-22

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt documents providing an example of the British style of stump speaking, campaign handbills, and circulars. The documents are from Winston Churchill’s reelection campaign and include a speech by David Lloyd George.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-23

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on his unsuccessful efforts to locate Charlotte Berkeley Coles, an American socialite hoping to be presented at Court in London. Reid notes that many women making this request neglect to leave an address where they can be reached.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-29

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the ongoing cabinet crisis. King Edward VII did not return to meet with the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, upsetting the English, who value precedence. Little is going on while Asquith is in the process of putting together his new cabinet. Reid encloses two articles he believes Roosevelt will enjoy. He also discusses the wisdom of allowing newly-appointed Ambassador to Germany David Jayne Hill be guest of honor at the Pilgrim Club dinner.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-09

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid does not want to overwhelm President Roosevelt with newspaper clippings, but he “really must see the full text of this from the Times.“

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from The Observer that provides an alternate view of King Edward VII of England’s actions regarding the Cabinet, but notes that the paper is more like American “yellow” press. Reid offers his views on gossip that has re-emerged about the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, and updates Roosevelt on the actions of William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-14

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from the London Times which he thought was interesting. He tells Roosevelt that the old staff has been able to keep control thanks to financial help from Lords Nathaniel Mayer de Rothschild and Charles Henry Wyndham. Lord Cromer told Reid to convey his regret that he could not go to Washington at Roosevelt’s invitation. Finally, Reid updates Roosevelt on his travel plans and expresses that he was glad to be on vacation when the incident surrounding Emperor William II of Germany’s disapproval of David Jayne Hill as new German Ambassador occurred.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-01

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid encloses a critical article about Panama, based on writing from John Bigelow. Reid speculates that Bigelow’s writing is influenced by his desire to defend his son.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-21

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a variety of political situations in England. It is likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will die or resign soon, which will lead to a number of changes. H. H. Asquith will likely become Prime Minister, and others like Sir Henry Fowler will likely resign. It is likely that Winston Churchill will be promoted to a Cabinet position. Lewis Harcourt will also likely be promoted, as he is universally popular and may even become Prime Minister. British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey spoke with Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who claims to be a friend of Roosevelt’s. He spoke about Asian immigration on behalf of the Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-18

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the diplomatic efforts of Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who has been meeting with various members of the British government. King has been implying that Roosevelt is apprehensive about Japanese hostility, but Reid is denying this and says instead that Roosevelt is merely annoyed. He also updates Roosevelt on his travel plans and his hope that he will get to visit the King to convey a message from the winner of the King’s Cup.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-20

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about the recent turmoil in Great Britain surrounding an exchange of letters between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and Emperor William II of Germany. The Emperor wrote privately to Lord Tweedmouth, and in passing mentioned the British Navy. News of this mention spread to the press, who seized upon news of the letter to blow the incident out of proportion and make it seem as if Germany were trying to influence British naval policy. Reid sends a selection of newspaper clippings following the development of the issue in the press. Additionally, Reid reports that Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s condition is not improving, and it appears that H. H. Asquith will be his successor as Prime Minister.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Whitelaw Reid believes that the Kaiser-Tweedmouth incident seems to be closed and out of the mind of the public, and sends President Roosevelt a number of news clippings cataloging the incident. Reid remarks on a number of other subjects, including an upcoming visit by William Lyon Mackenzie King, his discussions with Edward Grey, and the declining health of Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-12

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid reports that he took the first opportunity to meet with King Edward VII and present President Roosevelt’s letter, which the King appreciated. Reid thought the King looked well, although he was “a good deal affected” by the recent assassination of Carlos I, King of Portugal. It seems likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will retire soon, as he is in poor health. The general feeling is that H. H. Asquith will replace him, although things are generally not going well for the Liberals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-03

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid heard that President Roosevelt wanted to see the speech he gave at the Titmarsh Club in London, and encloses a brochure, noting that he was referencing Charles Dickens at the same time that Roosevelt was referencing Martin Chuzzlewit. He updates Roosevelt on the health of his wife’s father and provides a forwarding address. A handwritten postscript says that he spoke with Secretary of State Elihu Root about copies of old King George III commissions for libraries that were sent by the London Custom House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-06

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid thanks President Roosevelt for his well wishes. His father-in-law is still sick, and Mrs. Reid will be with him for some time. She is hoping Anna Roosevelt Cowles will come visit. Reid hopes to be in Washington for a few days before returning to his post. One of the pictures of Roosevelt with Kaiser Wilhelm II is back on the market and being held for Reid. He hopes to get the original of the other picture, but it may have to be redrawn.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-09

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

United States Ambassador Reid believes that American yellow journalism, buoyed by free and instantaneous communication, has influenced foreign editorials of American affairs, especially those of the English. He has enclosed a few editorials and cartoons both “unfriendly” and friendly that President Roosevelt might find interesting. Reid describes a situation resulting in the “droll embarrassment of our German friends” involving a candid interview with German Emperor William II published in the Daily Dispatch. The authenticity of the interview was questioned, with the Dispatch insisting on the legitimacy. The matter required Councillor of the German Embassy Ferdinand Carl von Stumm to leave the hunting trip he was on with Reid to manage the ensuing “mess.” Reid thinks von Stumm will be blamed for incident. He concludes by describing how British Foreign Secretary Edward Grey is being criticized in the papers for making a “one-sided bargain” that benefits the United States over England in the art commercial market.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-07

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on the visits of royalties to London, England, including the dinner held for German Emperor William II and his wife Auguste Viktoria. Reid raves about Auguste Viktoria’s dress and notes she wore the “biggest pearls I ever saw worn in any part of the world.” Reid also tells Roosevelt about the Bourbon wedding he and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid attended. The ambassador includes an anecdote about Spanish King Alfonso XIII who wanted to change his clothes, but his wife Maria Cristina told him he could not because the luggage had already left. Reid concludes by telling Roosevelt about a luncheon for the new Mexican minister and a dinner for the Alfonso XIII and Maria Cristina of Spain. Reid discusses his plans for a leave of absence, which will include stopping in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-20

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid recounts a successful hunting trip to President Roosevelt. Reid also encloses a collection of clippings from British newspapers regarding the financial crisis and recent changes to trade policy between the United States and United Kingdom.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-25

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912