Letter from Terence Vincent Powderly to George B. Cortelyou
Subject(s): Ellis Island Immigration Station (N.Y. and N.J.), Emigration and immigration, Employees--Dismissal of, Governmental investigations, Immigrants--Crimes against, Immigrants--Legal status, laws, etc., Immigrants--Services for--Corrupt practices, McKinley, William, 1843-1901, McSweeney, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1864-, Misconduct in office, New York (State)--Buffalo, Political crimes and offenses, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, United States--Ellis Island, Watchorn, Robert, 1858-1944
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Special Immigrant Inspector Robert Watchorn has investigated “the matter at Buffalo” and the report will be complete soon. The report will show that John R. De Barry has “stirred up all this commotion himself” and Commissioner General Powderly recommends De Barry’s removal from office. The investigation at Ellis Island has shown poor management by Assistant Commissioner Edward F. McSweeney with immigrants being “ill-fed, ill-treated, and robbed.” McSweeney has been protected by the civil service and influential friends. Powderly hopes that President Roosevelt will reserve judgment about McSweeney until the report has been completed.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-12-10
Creator(s)
Powderly, Terence Vincent, 1849-1924
Recipient
Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
6
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 Terence Vincent Powderly to George B. Cortelyou. [December 10, 1901]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o36165. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Powderly, Terence Vincent, 1849-1924. Letter from Terence Vincent Powderly to George B. Cortelyou. [10 Dec. 1901]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 18, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o36165.
APA:
Powderly, Terence Vincent, 1849-1924., [1901, December 10]. Letter from Terence Vincent Powderly to George B. Cortelyou.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o36165.
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. December 18, 2025. 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.
