Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Emigration and immigration, Hawaii--Honolulu, Hawaiians, Japan, Japanese, Loomis, Francis B. (Francis Butler), 1861-1948, Nationalism--Political aspects, Race relations, United States, United States. Navy. Atlantic Fleet. Battleship Force
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Assistant Secretary of State O’Laughlin writes to President Roosevelt with observations on the social conditions and attitudes in Honolulu. O’Laughlin discusses the effects of immigration on the Hawaiians, and shares his views on the Japanese and Chinese races, especially in regards to labor. Although there was a strong sentiment of Japanese sovereignty, O’Laughlin feels the visit of the fleet and the limiting of Japanese immigration have led to a feeling of desire for American assimilation. This would have been better taken advantage of if there was the option to achieve naturalization. American nationalism and continued peace must be enforced through the use of the Navy, and O’Laughlin agrees with Roosevelt’s actions thus far.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-09-30
Creator(s)
O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949
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
8
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 John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt. [September 30, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59233. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
O’Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949. Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt. [30 Sep. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 13, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59233.
APA:
O’Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949., [1908, September 30]. Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59233.
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. February 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.
