Cowles, Anna Roosevelt, 1855-1931

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes about his work as Police Commissioner to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. It has been a strenuous ten months and he feels Governor Morton isn’t strong enough to stand up to Republican boss Thomas Collier Platt and veto the bill that would eliminate Roosevelt’s job. Edith has been stressed with Mame’s operation and they worry over the children’s education while trying to split their time between the city and Oyster Bay. Roosevelt also recently made some excellent speeches in Chicago.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-02-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Secretary of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert’s poor address on the Navy and feels Congress does not take war preparedness seriously. The Navy should be increased. Though Republican boss Thomas Collier Platt wants to legislate Roosevelt out of his Police Commissioner job, the legislators are wary of doing so. He recommends reading Brooks Adams’s Civilization and Decay.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Senator Lodge’s visit and their unhappiness with Speaker of the House Reed. Things are looking up for Roosevelt and the police department despite Thomas Collier Platt’s efforts to remove him from office. The work is hard but he enjoys it and is also editing the fourth edition of Winning of the West.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt encloses a letter he wrote to journalist Julian Ralph for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to read. The Roosevelt household is quarantined because of son Kermit’s “diphaeretic sore throat.” He describes the guests at a recent dinner.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles it appears he will retain his position as New York City Police Commissioner for another year. He calls his colleague Andrew D. Parker “treacherous.” He feels that William McKinley has grown in popularity and stands a good chance at being nominated for president. Roosevelt also expresses his disappointment in Speaker of the House Thomas B. Reed.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes a visit from Senator Lodge for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. Roosevelt feels the United States should interfere in Cuba but he does not believe President Cleveland will do so. Roosevelt adds he gave a speech at Harvard and describes an encounter son Ted had with two ladies.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-03-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles of West’s death and says sister Corinne is broken by the news. Corinne’s abscesses leave her in agony and Roosevelt does not know how else to advise her.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-04-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes his cousin J. West Roosevelt’s funeral for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. C. Grant La Farge has pneumonia. His work as Police Commissioner is hampered by colleague Andrew D. Parker. Sister Corinne and her husband Douglas Robinson visited and she is feeling better.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-04-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles he will soon find out if the legislature will eliminate his position as New York City Police Commissioner. His colleague Andrew D. Parker has been very “irritating” and he does not trust him. Roosevelt recently gave two speeches and describes Hermann Speck von Sternburg’s visit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-04-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about recent house guests and his disgust with Congress. Sister Corinne is beyond help until she begins to help herself. Uncle Jimmie Roosevelt wrote he enjoyed his visit to Anna. Roosevelt provides updates on the family and says he did inspections to see how the new liquor law is working.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-05-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy were guests of honor at a dinner and he feels the United States is gradually building a good “second-class” navy. He plans to spend a lot of time at Sagamore Hill this summer and says there is a drought out in the country.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-05-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about petty fights he is having with his colleagues on the Police Board and how difficult the work of reform is. Roosevelt inspected the ship Indiana and describes his recent social activities with Senator Lodge, his wife Anna, and others.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-05-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes the family’s activities since they moved back to Sagamore Hill. Kermit turns somersaults in overalls, Ted is riding the pony Grant, and Roosevelt has been teaching them both to shoot. The scenery is beautiful but Roosevelt’s work as Police Commissioner has been wearing and harassing.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-05-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes riding ponies and rowing with wife Edith. He had dinner with New York City Mayor Strong and says he is on good terms with him. Uncle Jimmie Roosevelt and others have visited.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles of C. Grant La Farge’s wife Florence having twins. He also lists recent house guests and how he spends his time with wife Edith. Roosevelt says he is trying to get New York City Mayor William Lafayette Strong to remove Police Commissioner Andrew D. Parker.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes a mix-up between he and wife Edith to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He also details the trial of fellow Police Commissioner Andrew D. Parker before New York City Mayor William Lafayette Strong for neglect of duty. He is troubled that William McKinley, whom Roosevelt distrusts, will be nominated for president. He expects the Democrats to fight for free coinage of silver.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt relates his feelings on the Republican National Convention to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He is satisfied with the outcome, excepting the nomination of William McKinley for President over Thomas Reed. He fears McKinley facing a serious crisis. Sister Corinne’s last relapse may finally make her take care of herself and he gives updates on the children.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes how absorbing his work as Police Commissioner is to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He feels he could do more if he had absolute power rather than being part of a four person commission. He finds the work hard and often disagreeable but feels he has accomplished a lot. Roosevelt also gives updates on the children, recent visitors, and his opinion on upcoming elections.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-06-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt describes his Fourth of July holiday at The Homestead in Geneseo, New York for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles. He details horseback riding experiences with wife Edith.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-07-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt that wife Edith and sister Corinne were relieved to hear from Bob. Roosevelt, Edith, Kermit, and Alice went to Orange, New Jersey, to visit Corinne. Alice will have to wear ankle braces and he is worried because Edith is not looking well. He has been busy with lunches and dinners at the Boone and Crockett Club.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-01-20