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Rachel Sherman Thorndike writes to President Roosevelt about her brother-in-law, Alexander Montgomery Thackara, who seeks promotion in the State Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-17
Rachel Sherman Thorndike was troubled to read that President Roosevelt plans to break with tradition and go straight from the Capitol building to the train station after president-elect William H. Taft’s inauguration. She feels that it is “very dignified” for the outgoing president to warmly welcome his successor into the White House. The practice also provides the outgoing president with the opportunity to challenge the new president to uphold his legacy. Sherman apologizes for her enthusiasm, which springs from her pride in and admiration for Roosevelt’s accomplishments in office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-01
Rachel Sherman Thorndike suggests that a card from President Roosevelt could mean a “great deal” in an appointment or promotion for Alexander M. Thackara. Sherman believes that Thackara will have demonstrated his capabilities, and she thanks Roosevelt for his kind letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-23
Rachel Sherman Thorndike would like President Roosevelt to introduce her to President-elect William H. Taft so that she may ask what he plans to do with the Consul General Alexander M. Thackara. Thorndike intends to move her family depending on where the Thackara family is moved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
Rachel Sherman Thorndike explains she has recently seen Louisa Adriana Wood, who told her President Roosevelt still liked to receive letters from old friends. Thorndike insists she planned on writing anyway to send her sympathies about Alice Roosevelt Longworth’s illness and operation and hopes for her speedy recovery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-13
Rachel Sherman Thorndike had recently read about plans to change the heads of consular services abroad and hopes that President Roosevelt will keep her brother-in-law, Consul General to Berlin Alexander M. Thackara, in his current position or promote him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-20
Rachel Sherman Thorndike writes to President Roosevelt apologizing for the insensitivity of her brother Thomas Ewing Sherman’s “march” through the South with the 12th U.S. Cavalry to survey the land. Thorndike indicates that her family “has been out of the public eye” for quite some time and it never occurred to them that her brother’s trip would resurrect poor feelings surrounding her father and Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-02
Rachel Sherman Thorndike writes to her friend President Roosevelt about her summer in the West with her brother Paul. They encountered many supporters of Roosevelt during their travels, and states that the Democratic Party is having difficulty there. She hopes Roosevelt is enjoying his political security and taking pride in having a broad support base.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-21
Rachel Sherman Thorndike apologizes for writing again so soon, and requests that President Roosevelt appoint her cousin John Krepps Miller Ewing to the Arizona post that Judge Frederick S. Nave will vacate on April 1. Her family worries that Catholic Republicans will be at a disadvantage once Roosevelt leaves office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-01
Rachael Sherman Thorndike thanks President Roosevelt for the news that he can send her brother-in-law, Alexander M. Thackara, to Berlin as a consul. She informed her sister, Eleanor S. Thackara, so that they can make arrangements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-11
Rachel Sherman Thorndike sends words of “sympathy and friendship” after the death of President McKinley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-13