Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Cruelty in the Congo country

Booker T. Washington writes about the poor conditions currently existing in the Congo Free State. Léopold II, King of the Belgians, has created a state of extreme cruelty by removing African’s ability to independently gather and trade goods, essentially enslaving an entire nation. Washington quotes a passage from a report by William H. Sheppard to illustrate this, in which Sheppard has met with a tribe of cannibals who had been employed by the state to raid villages who had not harvested the required amount of rubber. Washington hopes by writing this article to call the attention of civilized nations to this treatment in order to improve conditions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-04

Portion of an editorial by Booker T. Washington

A paragraph by Booker T. Washington to be appended to an editorial he has written on lynching. Washington contests the idea that Roosevelt’s presidency has caused an increase in chaos in the South, and asserts that under Roosevelt there have been fewer lynchings than in any year since 1885, and that the highest number of lynchings had instead come during years of Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland’s presidencies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-17

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington reports that the visit by Robert C. Ogden and others to the Tuskegee Institute was successful. He encloses newspaper coverage of the event. Washington also explains that although he has sought it diligently, he has not discovered information that would allow him to change his opinion of Charles M. Ferguson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-01

Letter from Booker T. Washington to William Loeb

Booker T. Washington tells William Loeb about district conventions in Alabama, where Joseph O. Thompson and Charles H. Scott have been endorsed. Washington feels that Scott is opposed to Frank H. Hitchcock, and may be antagonistic to Secretary of War William H. Taft’s candidacy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-24

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington has heard that it may be reported to President Roosevelt and Secretary of War William H. Taft that Tuskegee Postmaster J. O. Thompson is not loyal, but Washington assures them that there is no more loyal man. He will explain further when he sees Roosevelt in person.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-24

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington, head of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, reports that the African American community agrees with President Roosevelt that it is too late to assemble an exhibit at the St. Louis Exposition concerning African American progress and accomplishment since emancipation. Emmett J. Scott, Washington’s secretary, is going to Washington, D.C., to help with William Demos Crum’s confirmation as U.S. Collector of Customs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-25

Letter from Booker T. Washington to William Loeb

Booker T. Washington wants to know if Roosevelt approves of an enclosed statement indicating that President Roosevelt may temporarily appoint a “white man” as Minister in San Domingo, with the possibility that a “colored man” may be appointed permanent Minister. If approved by Roosevelt, Washington will send a statement to the “colored papers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-28

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington, the head Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, sends President Roosevelt a copy of the Outlook containing an account of the Congressional Convention in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-16

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington writes to President Roosevelt regarding the visits he made to many United States senators during his trip to Washington, D.C. Washington states he will continue to visit senators in person as he believes it is the best way to influence them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-21

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington thanks President Roosevelt for the letter he sent to Mr. Williams in Louisiana, as it seemed to cover every point in a way that could not be misunderstood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-25

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington states he hopes Theodore Roosevelt will confirm what he told Washington at the White House regarding Joseph O. Thompson’s appointment to chairman. Washington states Thompson is a man of the people whereas the other candidates are not and it will place him and Thompson in an awkward position if Roosevelt changes his mind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-29

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington encloses a letter to be placed before the Panama Canal Commission at its Tuesday meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-20

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington encloses documents related to discrimination by “Lily-Whites” against African American Republicans in Louisiana.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-07

Telegram from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington hopes that no adverse action against Walter L. Cohen will be taken until he can talk with Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-28

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington requests that nothing be done by President Roosevelt that will disturb the present authority of Edgar S. Wilson. If it is thought best that anyone share Wilson’s authority, Washington asks that Wilson be consulted as he is “brave, prudent and thoroughly loyal.” Washington warns against giving encouragement to James Hill, as he feels the “corrupt” politician will undo Southern politics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-23

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington would like Charles William Anderson of New York to be a delegate at the upcoming convention (presumably the Republican National Convention), in order to provide leadership to the other colored men who will serve as delegates. He asks President Roosevelt to urge Governor Benjamin B. Odell or Senator Thomas Collier Platt to have Anderson elected from one of the New York districts. He himself is being encouraged to go as a delegate for the State of Alabama but will not do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-19

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington informs President Roosevelt that the Commerce Committee in the House has appointed Dr. William Demos Crum as U.S. Collector of Customs. Washington will, if necessary, use his influence on the Senate selection of Dr. Crum as well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-22

Telegram from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington requests the re-appointment of Walter L. Cohen and James Lewis of New Orleans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-24

Telegram from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington requests that President Roosevelt do nothing regarding Mr. Ferguson of Texas until Washington can speak to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-07

Letter from Booker T. Washington to John Campbell Greenway

A seat in the third carriage has been reserved for John Campbell Greenway.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1905-10-24