Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft
Subject(s): Bullock, Seth, 1849-1919, Greenway, John Campbell, 1872-1926, Howze, Robert Lee, 1864-1926, International relations, Japan, Lee, Fitzhugh, 1875-1954, Lyon, Cecil Andrew, 1869-1916, McIlhenny, John Avery, 1867-1942, Mexico, Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888, Stimson, Henry L. (Henry Lewis), 1867-1950, United States. Army. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st, Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927
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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
Language
English
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
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 William H. Taft. [March 14, 1911]. 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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 13, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o216769.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1911, March 14]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o216769.
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. March 13, 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.
