Your TR Source
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-09-29
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Ferguson, Robert Harry Munro, 1868-1922
English
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-07-01
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Ferguson, Robert Harry Munro, 1868-1922
English
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-06-16
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Ferguson, Robert Harry Munro, 1868-1922
English
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-04-07
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Ferguson, Robert Harry Munro, 1868-1922
English
Theodore Roosevelt updates Robert Harry Munro Ferguson on Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s recovery and appreciates the advice he gave to Kermit Roosevelt. Roosevelt feels limited due to having no business or training that he can pass on to his sons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-20
President Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and his wife Isabella Ferguson for the book that they sent. He asks Ferguson to also thank his wife for writing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-26
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for his letter to Kermit Roosevelt and wonders why Ferguson did not write up his trip to the Hudson Bay, as he is one of the few people who can “see clearly and beautifully and then write about what they have seen.” Roosevelt does not feel like he could shirk leadership at the present time, as too many people want him as a leader as well as some “decent” leadership. Although he does not believe he will be nominated as the Republican candidate for president, Roosevelt does not trust the Democratic party to solve the problems at hand. He also mentions the split within the Republican party: the “stupid and sometimes sinister reactionaries under the flabby leadership of President Taft” and the “foolish and violent extremists under the purely self-interested and demagogic leadership of Robert M. La Follette.” Finally, Roosevelt encloses a copy of the speech he made at Carnegie Hall and notes the safe return of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt from Panama and Costa Rica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and Isabella Greenway Ferguson for remembering his and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s silver wedding anniversary. They spent it alone and drank some madeira from her grandfather. Kermit Roosevelt was impressed with Robert’s letter. Roosevelt wants to see the Ferguson family but his plans are uncertain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. His current travel is his last “business trip,” and he hopes to see Ferguson and visit John Avery McIlhenny next time. Edward Grey recently wrote to him about his brother, George Grey. Roosevelt confirms that he wrote the article on Governor Morton. He agrees with Ferguson that Arizona and New Mexico should be admitted to statehood and that Great Britain needs time to reshape its government. Roosevelt wishes he could see Ferguson and his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
Theodore Roosevelt sends a memento made from the skin of a rhinoceros he shot in Africa to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt jokes about skunks suffering from hydrophobia in Arizona and New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
In the years before the war, Great Britain was led by men like President Wilson and William H. Taft. Consequently, the British have been unable to use their strength like the other allies. The United States would perform even worse then the British. Robert Harry Munro Ferguson should not attempt to serve as he will not be sent to the front. Theodore Roosevelt’s friends Frederick Courteney Selous and R. J. Cuninghame are physically fit for their age but were refused front line service. If the United States entered the war, Roosevelt would serve with the expectation that he would eventually “break down.” He concludes with brief updates on the Roosevelt children.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for the letter and conveys greetings from his family. Roosevelt is sending Ferguson a book, and asks that he share it with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson once he is finished with it. Roosevelt tells about a conversation he had with a German friend who said that the way the United States neglected its duty in Mexico had caused as much suffering as Germany’s actions caused in Belgium, and that Roosevelt thinks he is right. Roosevelt also comments on many people who want to keep America out of the war, and says that England suffers because of the current prominence of their point of view.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
The Progressive Party is in a “hopeless struggle” but Theodore Roosevelt’s friends are fighting and he must support them. However, he hopes to find time to see Isabella Selmes Ferguson and the children. Roosevelt agrees with the Spectator article; England is right, the wrongs against Belgium must be redressed, and in the future Russia may be the greatest threat to civilization. Roosevelt fears the consequences of breaking up Germany but Western Europe cannot be left at Germany’s mercy. He regrets that President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are leading the nation through the crisis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-05
Theodore Roosevelt has been traveling all over the country, engaged in a “hopeless political fight,” and has not had time to get in touch with Isabella or Mrs. Selmes. He is not sorry that he made the fight for it was “demanded by decency.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-05
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Balkans War, commending the Bulgarians for doing so well. Roosevelt also states that he will show Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s letter to Gifford Pinchot and Amos Pinchot, in hopes that Ferguson will help the brothers turn their attention from trying to root the moderates out the party. Roosevelt then provides several book recommendations on the Turkish invasion of Europe. Finally, Roosevelt expresses his wish to see Ferguson’s wife and children at Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-10
President Roosevelt sends word to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson that he will be leaving public office in “a rather stormy fashion,” being attacked by both houses of Congress and by the press. James Bryce has remarked that bringing libel cases against the biggest two offenders in newspapers will be a service to the American public. Bryce and John Morley suggested Roosevelt make a statement about the British in India, which he plans to do presently. Some of Roosevelt’s English friends sent him a rifle for use on his African safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-17
President Roosevelt was comforted by the news he got about Robert Harry Munro Ferguson from his daughter, Ethel Roosevelt. Roosevelt wishes he could visit Ferguson and his wife, Isabella Ferguson, himself. He told Douglas Robinson that Ferguson “should be made to charge something adequate for [his] services as trustee.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-04
President Roosevelt tells Robert Harry Munro Ferguson that he is very concerned about the news he hears about Ferguson, and wishes he could come and visit him and his wife Isabella Selmes Greenway. Roosevelt deeply appreciates the friendship Ferguson has with him and his family, and he wants to do whatever he can to help. (Ferguson was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1908, and Roosevelt is likely referring to this)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt would be pleased to serve as godfather to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s son.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-11
President Roosevelt expresses his concern that Robert Harry Munro Ferguson was recently admitted to Roosevelt Hospital; he strongly encourages Ferguson to take a year off work to fully recuperate. Roosevelt recalls a recent trip to Puerto Rico, where the area’s Secretary of the Interior Laurence H. Grahame impressed local residents with his Scottish kilt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01