Theodore Roosevelt does not believe the “war talk” with Mexico will lead to anything serious and hopes there will be no need to intervene. However, if a big power, such as Japan, backed Mexico and serious war resulted, Roosevelt requests President Taft’s permission to raise a division similar to the Rough Riders. He discusses how it would be organized and who he would choose as officers. Elected officers cause inefficiency, as evidenced by the two other Rough Rider regiments. Roosevelt does not intend to boast; instead, he reminds Taft of his regiment’s effectiveness during the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Publication Date

2025-01-02

Language

English

Period

Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)

Original Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Papers

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 William H. Taft. [March 14, 1911?]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o216769. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft. [14 Mar. 1911?]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 30, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o216769.

APA:

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1911, March 14?]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o216769.

Cite this Collection

Chicago:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. 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 Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 30, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.

APA:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.