Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid comments on Winston Churchill’s recent promotion to the Privy Council, noting that it acknowledges his rise in the party without giving him a seat in the Cabinet. Churchill is still not well liked. Reid relays the debates on Horace Curzon Plunkett in the House of Commons and reports on English newspaper coverage of Roosevelt’s speech at Jamestown. He comments on unease over labor relations in France, the planning of an event after the Colonial Premiers’ Conference, opposition to a proposed move for a limitation of armaments at the Hague Conference, and Lewis Harcourt’s proposed English Land Bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article written by Sidney Low, noting his mistake in implying that Americans were opposed to the Declaration of Paris because of its assent to the abolition of privateering. In fact, Reid argues, Americans wanted the clause to go further and make all private property exempt from seizure on seas and on land.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-24

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid reports to President Roosevelt about the people being considered for the position of British Ambassador to the United States after H. Mortimer Durand’s dismissal. It is widely believed that Durand was dismissed due to being too firm in Newfoundland negotiations, and Reid believes the government will allow the public to believe that was the reason. Reid sends Roosevelt articles from the Daily Telegraph about Durand’s dismissal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-27

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace has given Ambassador Reid a package from Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer for President Roosevelt, which Reid has enclosed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-29

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

J. E. Hodder-Williams gave Ambassador Reid a copy of The Life of Sir George Williams, which he intended as a gift for President Roosevelt. Reid accepted the book but had one of his secretaries write a letter explaining that Roosevelt would be under no obligation to write an endorsement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-20

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid writes Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that there has been no proof produced against the Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill, only “an outburst of envemoned but vague allegations,” which the Duchess denies. Reid believes the stories were inspired either by her husband, the Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, or his family. Reid also tells Roosevelt he has heard privately that King Edward VII is “much enraged at the Duke’s conduct.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-06

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid will send President Roosevelt a pamphlet report of his formal address as well as newspaper clippings about a few less formal speeches he recently made. Reid notes that the English newspapers have taken a great interest in the campaign and seem to understand its significance. Reid further provides updates about the internal affairs of the British Foreign Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-06

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on the Marlborough scandal that has rocked the London political and social scene. Rumors are that Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill has given the Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Spencer-Churchill custody of the children, although the Duke disputes this. The ambassadors and others are waiting to see how the King reacts to judge whether or not to receive the Duchess.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-29

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on several diplomatic matters in England. The most pertinent issue is the English government’s desire to retire Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand and to find a suitable replacement for him. Many people have been discussed. Roosevelt’s choice, Cecil Spring Rice, could not be promoted to an Embassy without creating a lot of “ill will.” Reid also sends Roosevelt a news clipping telling of the “fall” that Winston Churchill took out of playwright George Bernard Shaw. Finally, Reid updates Roosevelt on a matter involving Democratic Senator Francis Marion Cockrell’s son.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-24

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

In his previous letter, Whitelaw Reid mistook the “really admirable edition by Houghton, Mifflin & Co.” It is really a Shelley edition, not a Swinburne. Reid wishes to correct his mistake immediately.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-12

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the newspapers’ reaction to the measures taken in a shipping and fishing dispute in Newfoundland. Reid details his negotiations with Sir Edward Gray and Sir Charles Hardinge regarding the United States’ right to ship Newfoundland fisherman. Reid also discusses several books with Roosevelt, including one about Alexander Hamilton and a biography of Winston Churchill’s father, Randolph Churchill. Reid comments on Roosevelt’s offer to let the Cubans try self-government again, noting that it silences those who would paint Roosevelt as an imperialist. Reid does not think that the Cubans are ready for self-government, and he believes the United States should make Cuba one of its states. Reid updates Roosevelt on the political conflict between the Labor and Liberal parties in the United Kingdom. Reid notes that due to “bad blood” between the German and English press, it is difficult to trust English newspapers for accurate views of German positions. Reid also offers his opinion on domestic political issues, writing that those who vote for Hearst will be written off as from “the ignorant or dangerous classes.” Reid believes William Jennings Bryan has fallen out of favor, but he does not think they have seen the last of him. Finally, Reid has enclosed several books and clippings for Roosevelt to peruse.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid has forwarded President Roosevelt’s letter to the people of Salisbury, and he is sure it will promote kindly feeling. Reid hopes that they may be able to bring the “slow-moving” Colonial Office to an early agreement, as the only currently contentious issue between the parties is that of purse-nets. Reports of William Jennings Bryan’s speech in Madison Square Garden produced instant revulsion in Great Britain, as the public thought he “dished” himself by proposing government ownership of the railways. Reid has not yet had a chance to discuss Roosevelt’s letter to Andrew Carnegie with Sir Edward Grey, but plans to bring it up at first chance. Frederick Scott Oliver, author of the new book about Hamilton, does not seem to be a prominent literary figure among the Englishmen Reid has asked. Reid has been watching the Cuban situation with great anxiety, as he has always believed the United States made foolish decisions about Cuba at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Elihu Root

Ambassador Reid confirms his telegram from the day before summarizing the modus vivendi in the Newfoundland Fisheries for this year offered by the British government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-07

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid sends President Roosevelt clippings from British newspapers that he thinks will interest him, and he informs Roosevelt of the help he has recently given to Francis Cockrell’s son after he was involved in a car accident in Switzerland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-23

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edward Grey

Ambassador Reid informs Edward Grey, Viscount of Fallodon, that he should not expect an immediate settlement regarding the “rights of American vessels on the Newfoundland coast” and is glad to hear that Grey will soon submit proposals for a peaceful arrangement for the next season. Reid will advise his government about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Elihu Root

Ambassador Reid sends Secretary of State Root a letter from Eldon Gorst, the acting British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, about the dispute over the rights of fishing vessels along the Newfoundland coast. As an immediate settlement is impossible, the British government is agreeing to a modus vivendi for the current season.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid reports to President Roosevelt about affairs in Europe. Reid’s impression is that neither Great Britain nor Germany want tensions to escalate to a war, and he is still trying to get more details about their negotiations. Reid informs Roosevelt that the King seems to be in ill health. He is also worried that Roosevelt’s friend, Silas McBee, is stirring up trouble by seeming to interfere in debates about the Education Bill. Reid referred the Grocers’ Federation to Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson and Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf so that they might receive more information about complying with America’s meat inspection laws, and he enclosed a copy of a speech he gave at Cambridge on the American Revolution. Reid concludes by saying that he hopes the British government will help the United States settle disputes with Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Elihu Root

At the request of the Royal Horticultural Society, Ambassador Reid sends to Secretary of State Root a resolution passed by the Members of the International Conference on Hybridization and Plant Breeding.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-04

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid tells President Roosevelt about a recent meeting between William Jennings Bryan and King Edward VII, as well as the general attitude toward Bryan among Englishmen after a series of speeches he gave in London. Reid also mentions that he will be sending a report on a conversation he had with Sir Edward Grey about a notice sent to Russia of England’s desire to have “a reduction of armaments made a subject for the next Hague Conference.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on his recent interactions with the Grocers’ Federation Associations of the United Kingdom. The group requested that Roosevelt send a dispatch clarifying that canned American meat sent to foreign markets has always been carefully inspected, as half a million dollars worth of American tinned meats has become “dead stock” due to the recent agitation. Reid recommended they contact Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf or Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson instead. Reid also mentions a letter he received from Sir Edward Grey expressing support for the proposal of a reduction of armaments in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-31

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912