Letter from Robert DeCourcy Ward to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Barbados, Brazil--Rio de Janeiro, Diplomatic etiquette, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, New York (State), O'Brien, Edward Charles, 1860-1927, Professional ethics, Travels, Voyages and travels
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Robert DeCourcy Ward alerts President Roosevelt to Ambassador Edward Charles O’Brien’s behavior on a recent voyage from Rio de Janeiro to New York. Ward writes that O’Brien was often under the influence of alcohol, and his behavior in response to the local quarantine protocols and towards a female passenger were extremely insulting. O’Brien asked passengers to sign a document attesting to his good character, but if it were true, Ward does not feel he would need a written document stating the fact. He does not think O’Brien is fit for his position, and felt Roosevelt would want to know the truth of the situation.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-09-13
Creator(s)
Ward, Robert DeCourcy, 1867-1931
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
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 Robert DeCourcy Ward to Theodore Roosevelt. [September 13, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59156. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ward, Robert DeCourcy, 1867-1931. Letter from Robert DeCourcy Ward to Theodore Roosevelt. [13 Sep. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59156.
APA:
Ward, Robert DeCourcy, 1867-1931., [1908, September 13]. Letter from Robert DeCourcy Ward to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59156.
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 11, 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.
