Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid
Subject(s): Diplomatic and consular service, British, Diplomatic etiquette, Durand, H. Mortimer (Henry Mortimer), 1850-1924, Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910, Germany, Great Britain, Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933, International relations, Japan, Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules), 1855-1932, Longworth, Alice Roosevelt, 1884-1980, Reid, Whitelaw, Mrs., 1857-1931, Sternburg, Hermann Speck von, Freiherr, 1852-1908, Venezuela, William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941
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President Roosevelt was only concerned about the letter he had sent Ambassador Reid because of its nature, but permits him to show any portions he deems proper to King Edward VII of Great Britain or Sir Edward Grey. He also recommends Reid make Roosevelt’s dislike of British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand known, emphasizing that if he had been a man Roosevelt liked, he would have consulted with him more. Roosevelt reflects on the strategies he uses in foreign relations, particularly with the Germans and German Emperor William II, but also with the English and Japanese, which he describes as “to be scrupulously polite, to show a genuine good-will toward her, but to keep our navy in such shape” so as to deter any aggression. He sends his greetings to Reid’s wife, Elisabeth Mills Reid, and remarks that he enjoyed reading about the social news from England.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-06-27
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
3
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid. [June 27, 1906]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195918. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid. [27 Jun. 1906]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195918.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1906, June 27]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195918.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
