Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root apologizes for the criticism directed at President Roosevelt for the form of the order made upon the retirement of General Nelson Appleton Miles. Precedent was followed and the order was exactly the same as others sent to Civil War generals of similar rank and service. Root views Miles as a “bad officer” and not in a class with the great leaders of the Civil War. An order praising Miles would have been full of falsehoods and hypocrisy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-19

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root encloses letters from Secretary of State John Hay, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, John William Griggs, and Mr. Smith that convey their appreciation for General Henry Clark Corbin’s work during the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-17

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root writes to President Roosevelt in reference to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission and the number of commissioners needed to care for battlefield parks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-18

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root expresses his regret on submitting his resignation from President Roosevelt’s Cabinet, and affirms his friendship and support for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-19

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root is sending some confidential papers based on his discussion with President Roosevelt in Oyster Bay, New York. He also forwards a letter from Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-10

Telegram from Elihu Root to William H. Taft

Secretary of War Root writes to Governor of the Philipinnes Taft concerning relations with Mexico and the Philippines as they apply to coinage and currency issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-12

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root has stopped denying his upcoming departure from the Cabinet. He had to make arrangements in New York for next winter and this information was discovered by journalists. Root will have the War Department cipher book while in London for the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal. Communication should be easy and he will remain available for consultations. Root opposes the calling of an extra session of Congress in October as he does not want “speedy financial legislation.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-19

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root has been unable to bring together the three engineers mentioned in Senator R. A. Alger’s letter. He suggests how an engineer should be selected and believes a suitable commission could be composed of George Clinton, W. L. Fisk, and Gardner Stewart Williams.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-19

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root informs President Roosevelt of a letter he has received from Andrew Carnegie, who writes of his concerns about Great Britain favoring Canadian exports over the United States. Root would like to discuss this with Roosevelt at Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-03

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root writes to President Roosevelt regarding the health of Commissary-General John F. Weston and recommends Colonel Henry G. Sharpe as Weston’s replacement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-08

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root encloses a letter from Steve Baxter that he found humorous.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-20

Telegram from Elihu Root to Francisco Reyes

Secretary of War Root congratulates the newly organized Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on the important steps they have taken “for the interest of their country.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-30

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root writes to President Roosevelt to discuss modifying the United States approach to affairs in Cuba and the importance of having Cuba prosperous and strongly governed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-20

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root informs President Roosevelt that he intends to support the nominations and records of general officers appointed by President McKinley and Roosevelt that have been impugned by Oswald Garrison Villard. Root mentions a letter from William H. Taft, and he has called a meeting for the new joint Army and Navy Board.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-22

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Lake Level Commission and a proposal to build a dam across the Niagara River at Buffalo, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-23

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root supports the promotion of Thomas Henry Barry to Brigadier General over John J. Pershing. Root also requests that President Roosevelt consider a branch transfer of Thomas L. Sherburne from Artillery to Infantry or Cavalry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-16

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root informs President Roosevelt that the accusations of corruption in Manila described in a letter from R. L. Wynn are untrue. A report by Colonel Clarence Ransom Edwards, Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs, showed no issues with the printing office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-17

Letter from Elihu Root toTheodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root encloses a report from General George W. Davis regarding the Division of the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-07

Telegram from Elihu Root toTheodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root informs President Roosevelt he is coming to meet with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-08

Memorandum from Elihu Root to Henry Clark Corbin

Secretary of War Root orders an investigation into an 1898 contract to supply gloves to the Quartermaster’s Department of the Army. In the course of bankruptcy proceedings, it has come to light that the Littauer Brothers firm, which includes Representative Lucius Nathan Littauer, was interested in the contract. Root is concerned that the contract or the bidding was handled improperly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-03