Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Birrell, Augustine, 1850-1933, Books and reading, British Museum, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Canada, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919, Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965, Commercial policy, Cuba, Elections--U.S. states--Public opinion, England, Fish trade--Law and legislation, Floors Castle (Scotland), Germany, Great Britain. Foreign Office, Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933, Hardinge of Penshurst, Charles Hardinge, Baron, 1858-1944, Hearst, William Randolph, 1863-1951, International relations--Economic aspects, International relations--Press coverage, Labour Party (Great Britain), Liberal Party (Great Britain), New York (State), Newfoundland and Labrador, Root, Elihu, 1845-1937, South America, Spain, Swinburne, Algernon Charles, 1837-1909
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Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the newspapers’ reaction to the measures taken in a shipping and fishing dispute in Newfoundland. Reid details his negotiations with Sir Edward Gray and Sir Charles Hardinge regarding the United States’ right to ship Newfoundland fisherman. Reid also discusses several books with Roosevelt, including one about Alexander Hamilton and a biography of Winston Churchill’s father, Randolph Churchill. Reid comments on Roosevelt’s offer to let the Cubans try self-government again, noting that it silences those who would paint Roosevelt as an imperialist. Reid does not think that the Cubans are ready for self-government, and he believes the United States should make Cuba one of its states. Reid updates Roosevelt on the political conflict between the Labor and Liberal parties in the United Kingdom. Reid notes that due to “bad blood” between the German and English press, it is difficult to trust English newspapers for accurate views of German positions. Reid also offers his opinion on domestic political issues, writing that those who vote for Hearst will be written off as from “the ignorant or dangerous classes.” Reid believes William Jennings Bryan has fallen out of favor, but he does not think they have seen the last of him. Finally, Reid has enclosed several books and clippings for Roosevelt to peruse.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-10-08
Creator(s)
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
9
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 Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt. [October 8, 1906]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o54571. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912. Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt. [8 Oct. 1906]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 4, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o54571.
APA:
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912.: , [1906, October 8]. Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o54571.
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. December 4, 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.
