Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert L. Key
Subject(s): Alger, Philip R. (Philip Rounseville), 1859-1912, Battleships--Design and construction, Capps, W. L. (Washington Lee), 1864-1935, Congresses and conventions, Courts-martial and courts of inquiry, Miscommunication, Reuterdahl, Henry, 1871-1925, Sims, William Sowden, 1858-1936, United States. Navy
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President Roosevelt is confused and angered by the message Commander Key is trying to send about his opinion on the administration of the Navy, and cautions Key against disobeying his order. He takes exception with Key’s previous claim that Roosevelt has been misinformed regarding the Newport conference, and points out that the opinions of those Key identifies with are often proven to be wrong. Roosevelt is not yet certain whether there should be a court-martial placed on Key, but he claims it may be necessary to reduce any harm he may cause the Navy. Roosevelt also discusses the construction of a new type of naval ship he has been overseeing.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-01-08
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Key, Albert L. (Albert Lenoir), 1860-1950
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 Albert L. Key. [January 8, 1909]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206069. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert L. Key. [8 Jan. 1909]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 27, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206069.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1909, January 8]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert L. Key.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206069.
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. February 27, 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.
