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President Roosevelt introduces Alma Curtin to Richard Watson Gilder. Curtin is the widow of Jeremiah Curtin, and would like to publish some of her late husband’s manuscripts. Roosevelt does not ask Gilder to publish these, but hopes that Gilder will consent to examine the manuscripts and judge them on their merit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
President Roosevelt sends Richard Watson Gilder a message of sympathy on the recent death of his brother, John Francis Gilder. Roosevelt enjoyed a book of poems by Gilder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-08
President Roosevelt is not sure if a statement by him about the best accomplishments of his presidency would be worth having, and says that he would “need the wit of an Abraham Lincoln” in order to do it well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
President Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder that he is welcome to show his letter to William Garrott Brown. Roosevelt was “genuinely shocked” to see what Brown wrote. Roosevelt believes that a comment in George Otto Trevelyan’s The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay applies to people who are trying to “write a national anthem to order.” Roosevelt feels that Julia Ward Howe’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic” would be a fine national anthem. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt thanks Gilder for the volume of poems, which arrived as he was signing this letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-19
President Roosevelt writes Richard Watson Gilder a lengthy refutation of an article in the Evening Post in which William Garrott Brown misconstrues his actions in the Republican Party. Namely, Brown accuses Roosevelt of neglecting Republicans in the South and of doing a poor job of making nominations to local offices and positions. Roosevelt asserts that where the Republican party is not strong in the South, he has had to appoint Democrats who were quality men, rather than incapable men who are Republicans. Where he believes the party has a chance to compete with Democrats, he does all he can to support it. Roosevelt also writes that he did not use his influence on officers to get William H. Taft the nomination, but rather Taft was nominated because Roosevelt’s policies were popular, and Taft is the man who will continue those policies. Roosevelt believes that Brown is either ignorant or willfully ignorant of a number of facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
President Roosevelt asks Richard Watson Gilder, chief editor of The Century Magazine, to thank the publication’s associate editor Robert Underwood Johnson for the amusing story his son Owen Johnson wrote in the Saturday Evening Post. He also asks Gilder to have William Garrott Brown send a copy of his letter to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
President Roosevelt thanks Richard Watson Gilder for the letter but regrets that he cannot write the article Gilder requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-06
President Roosevelt heartily thanks Richard Watson Gilder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-04
President Roosevelt is pleased that Richard Watson Gilder approves of his naming of the Cleveland National Forest after President Grover Cleveland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-20
President Roosevelt has not forgotten that he has promised his reminiscences to The Century Magazine, but he has promised any work on big game to Scribners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-04
President Roosevelt is glad that Richard Watson Gilder liked William Bayard Hale’s article, but clarifies that he is not responsible for Hale’s words and phrasing. He asks what Gilder suggests he do regarding a memorial for Abraham Lincoln.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-30
President Roosevelt is sorry that he cannot be present at the dinner of the Playground Association of America, but is glad that the association has Mrs. Humphry Ward as the guest of honor. Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder that he feels that Americans owe Ward much, as she has played a large role in the world movement for social betterment. He sends his best wishes for the future progress of the Playground Association.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-20
President Roosevelt comments to Richard Watson Gilder about what he might do after he is no longer president. He says that he does not think he can undertake reminiscences, does not want to go around the world, and will not be mayor or senator. He has a year of work left before him, and even though he will be less active after June, when presidential candidates are nominated, there will still be something for him to do.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-08
President Roosevelt suggests that Richard Watson Gilder make edits to his statement in order to not stir up discord. Homer Saint-Gaudens does not understand that this is an undesirable topic and could invite attack. Roosevelt agrees with Gilder about the positive future reception of the coins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-18
President Roosevelt thanks Richard Watson Gilder for his book of poetry, The Fire Divine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-07
President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are shocked that Alfred Stieglitz’s photography session requires two hours. Roosevelt does not have more than fifteen minutes to spare and must defer the session, for which he apologizes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-17
President Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder that he consents to be photographed but will have difficulty persuading Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt to participate. Roosevelt asks if Gilder ever sees Mr. Cleveland anymore.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-06
President Roosevelt praises Richard Watson Gilder for writing a positive article in the New York Times about Minister to Denmark Maurice Francis Egan. Roosevelt will discuss Robert Abbe’s work in treating cancer with radium with German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg. Roosevelt hopes Gilder’s sons, George Coleman deKay Gilder and Rodman Gilder, will have a good trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-16
President Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century, that he will read the two articles by essayist Charles D. Stewart that Gilder recommended. Roosevelt is not sure if Stewart should go on a trip with him. Roosevelt concludes the letter by stating that Gilder must be happy that he appointed Maurice Francis Egan to be the minister to Copenhagen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-24
President Roosevelt returns a congratulations to Richard Watson Gilder.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-08