President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for sending him the portraits, and returns the three as requested. He plans to give several copies out as Christmas presents, but feels like he should be sparing with the others. Roosevelt is glad to hear Lee’s news that the British people are aware of the necessities of national defense, and applauds the agreement with Japan. Roosevelt believes his strategy of friendly communication with Japan in conjunction with the demonstration of sending the fleet around the world, has produced good results for the United States. Roosevelt is looking forward to his safari, and believes that President-Elect William Howard Taft will do a good job as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Repository

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Page Count

3

Production Method

Typed

Record Type

Multi-image

Resource Type

Letter

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 Arthur Hamilton Lee. [December 20, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205772. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee. [20 Dec. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205772.

APA:

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1908, December 20]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o205772.

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. January 30, 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.