Letter from James Francis Smith to William H. Taft
Subject(s): Añon, Carpenter, Fred W., 1873 or 1874-1957, Crossfield, Amasa S. (Amasa Scott), 1855-1928, Curry, George, 1861-1947, de Veyra, Jaime C., 1873-1963, Edwards, Clarence Ransom, 1860-1931, Egan, Eleanor Franklin, 1877-1925, Egan, Martin, 1872-1938, Gabaldon, Isauro, 1875-1942, Gilbert, Newton W. (Newton Whiting), 1862-1939, Harbord, James G. (James Guthrie), 1866-1947, Hemphill, Joseph N. (Joseph Newton), 1847-1931, Idos, Felipe, Johnson, Elias Finley, 1861-1933, Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948, Pompac, Isidro, -1911, Salvador, Felipe, 1870-1912, Smith, Lillian Agnes Dunnigan, 1865-1912, Stephen, Alexander G. (Alexander Gordon), 1862-1924, Stephen, Marguerita Stella, Taft, Helen Herron, 1861-1943, Tinio, Manuel, 1878-1924, Tracey, James F. (James Francis), 1854-1925, Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927, Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant), 1866-1924
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Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-10-07
Creator(s)
Smith, James Francis, 1859-1928
Recipient
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
Publication Date
2022-02-24
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Original Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Papers
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
29
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 James Francis Smith to William H. Taft. [October 7, 1907?]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o57175. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Smith, James Francis, 1859-1928. Letter from James Francis Smith to William H. Taft. [7 Oct. 1907?]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 29, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o57175.
APA:
Smith, James Francis, 1859-1928.: , [1907, October 7?]. Letter from James Francis Smith to William H. Taft. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o57175.
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 29, 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.
