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Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt about how busy he has been with his work as Police Commissioner. He gets so many requests to speak that he has had to decline them all. He has more to accomplish as Commissioner but cannot do so until more legislation is passed. Roosevelt also criticizes his colleagues Andrew D. Parker and Frederick Dent Grant.
1896-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt describes the effect of an extraordinary snowfall to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He feels the odds are even that President William McKinley will offer him Assistant Secretary of the Navy and says he is indifferent because he is not sure he would take it. If he had proper power as Police Commissioner he would never leave but right now he is very hampered in his work.
1896-12-20
Theodore Roosevelt describes to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles how the family spent Christmas. He lists the presents they bought for the children on behalf of Anna. He thinks it is “idiotic” for the Whites to raise their son Jack abroad and criticizes his Police Commissioner colleagues Andrew D. Parker and Frederick Dent Grant.
1896-12-26
Theodore Roosevelt provides his opinion on Bayard’s misunderstanding of British diplomacy for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles, probably referring to United States Ambassador to Britain Thomas F. Bayard. He comments on the invaders in the Transvaal and lists some recent dinner guests.
1896-01-05
Theodore Roosevelt says he is eager to meet his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s husband William and thinks he should try for sea service. He and Edith are enjoying their first week in town, presumably New York City, and are making congenial friends. Roosevelt was amused to find at a recent dinner he was given precedence because he is Police Commissioner.
1896-01-10
Theodore Roosevelt encloses a clipping of an interview “Rosy” gave. He is surprised Rosy took the side of ex-Chief of Police Thomas Byrnes. In addition to the stressful work of being Police Commissioner, Roosevelt also had to attend a Harvard Overseers’ meeting and travel to Chester, Pennsylvania. He and Edith have been too busy to socialize.
1896-01-12
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Sheffield Cowles’s refusal of a job offer. The children are well and wife Edith is prettier than ever. Everyone is waiting to see how William McKinley will be as President and Roosevelt does not agree with the choice of John Sherman for Secretary of State.
1896-01-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles and comments on some of the people he has socialized with. Roosevelt still believes he will be legislated out of the Police Commissioner job and wants to finish the reorganization of the department before that time. He does consider this the best spent year of his life.
1896-01-19
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his and Edith’s visit to Washington, D.C. No society in New York compares to his circle of friends in Washington. He has seen a lot of Representative Reed and criticizes a speech by Wolcott. He compliments Secretary of State Richard Olney and says Smalley has no idea how the people of the United States really feel. Senator Lodge made a good speech about the Venezuela matter.
1896-01-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles how dull his life is because of all the work he does. All the difficulties and opposition he faces as Police Commissioner cause him depression but he knows the work has been worth doing. He takes and interest in foreign affairs and mentions Secretary of State Richard Olney, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury.
1896-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt says his letters to sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles must be dull because he is so absorbed in his work. He describes all the things he must balance as Police Commissioner. Wife Edith is totally consumed with taking care of the children. They do not go out very much and Edith misses Washington.
1896-02-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes about his work as Police Commissioner to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. It has been a strenuous ten months and he feels Governor Morton isn’t strong enough to stand up to Republican boss Thomas Collier Platt and veto the bill that would eliminate Roosevelt’s job. Edith has been stressed with Mame’s operation and they worry over the children’s education while trying to split their time between the city and Oyster Bay. Roosevelt also recently made some excellent speeches in Chicago.
1896-02-25
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Secretary of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert’s poor address on the Navy and feels Congress does not take war preparedness seriously. The Navy should be increased. Though Republican boss Thomas Collier Platt wants to legislate Roosevelt out of his Police Commissioner job, the legislators are wary of doing so. He recommends reading Brooks Adams’s Civilization and Decay.
1896-03-01
President Roosevelt defends his decision to make appointments without consulting Governor Odell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-23
Secretary of War Root, Senator Lodge, and Senator Turner have been appointed as American representatives to the tribunal that will determine the boundary between Alaska and Canada. Roosevelt instructs the representatives to impartially judge the questions that come before them and then explains the American interpretation of the boundary. This copy of the letter was sent to Turner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-25
President Roosevelt encloses a letter he sent to Senator Platt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-28
Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Senator Lodge’s visit and their unhappiness with Speaker of the House Reed. Things are looking up for Roosevelt and the police department despite Thomas Collier Platt’s efforts to remove him from office. The work is hard but he enjoys it and is also editing the fourth edition of Winning of the West.
1896-03-09
Theodore Roosevelt encloses a letter he wrote to journalist Julian Ralph for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to read. The Roosevelt household is quarantined because of son Kermit’s “diphaeretic sore throat.” He describes the guests at a recent dinner.
1896-03-15
Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles it appears he will retain his position as New York City Police Commissioner for another year. He calls his colleague Andrew D. Parker “treacherous.” He feels that William McKinley has grown in popularity and stands a good chance at being nominated for president. Roosevelt also expresses his disappointment in Speaker of the House Thomas B. Reed.
1896-03-21
Theodore Roosevelt describes a visit from Senator Lodge for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. Roosevelt feels the United States should interfere in Cuba but he does not believe President Cleveland will do so. Roosevelt adds he gave a speech at Harvard and describes an encounter son Ted had with two ladies.
1896-03-30