Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
Subject(s): Adee, Alvey A. (Alvey Augustus), 1842-1924, American Jewish Committee, Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921, Extradition--Law and legislation, International relations, Jews, Russian--Social conditions, Littauer, Lucius Nathan, 1859-1944, Pouren, Jan Janov, Russia, Russians--Politics and government, United States. Department of Justice, United States. Dept. of Justice
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President Roosevelt writes Secretary of State Root regarding a treaty of extradition with Russia. Roosevelt believes that they should refuse to give up a Russian-Jewish refugee (most likely Jan Janov Pouren) and that there should never have been an extradition treaty with Russia because their treatment of political dissidents is uncivilized and harsh. Russia’s refusal to issue passports to Jewish people further validates Roosevelt’s unwillingness to extend assistance. The Jewish Committee requests to know if such actions repeal the treaty, a question Roosevelt will let Root decide. Roosevelt asks Root to go over the information so they can discuss it, and explains that he understands the president makes the final decision on such cases.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-09-25
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
2
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 Elihu Root. [September 25, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204317. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root. [25 Sep. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 9, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204317.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1908, September 25]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204317.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. 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. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 9, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
