Your TR Source
President Roosevelt introduces Ambassador Reid to Edward Brandegee, who is interested in the labor question. Roosevelt asks Reid to help Brandegge get the information he needs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-01
President Roosevelt sends photographs of him jumping a horse to United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid. He directs Reid to present the photographs to King Edward VII if he would like them. Roosevelt comments on the newspaper clippings that Reid sent, noting he was surprised at how Englishmen responded to Robert Bond’s criticism of New Newfoundland’s status in the British Empire, given their response to the proposed discriminatory legislation against Japanese students in California. Lately, Roosevelt has been most interested by his “encounter with the ultra labor men and socialists over the Moyer-Haywood-Debs matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
President Roosevelt asks United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Whitelaw Reid to assist the bearer of the letter, Commander Albert Gleaves of the United States Navy, in his mission to inspect torpedo factories throughout Europe. Roosevelt also mentions the need for discretion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-01
President Roosevelt thanks United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Whitelaw Reid for his recent letter and its report on international affairs. He was not concerned by A. Maurice Low’s criticism but thought it might damage relations between the United States and the United Kingdom. Roosevelt sends Reid some horse jumping pictures for King Edward VII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-29
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Reid to arrange an interview with J. Armitage Robinson, Dean of Westminster, for his “old and valued friend” John Hampden Robb.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-11
President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Reid a letter of introduction for Ella Lyon Swift.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-21
President Roosevelt would like Ambassador Reid to get in touch with the London Post regarding their reporter A. Maurice Low, who Roosevelt considers “a liar and a slanderer.” Low has cause considerable trouble for the United States government. Roosevelt also shares his enjoyment of a recent exhibition of American artists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-17
President Roosevelt passes a message from Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon to Ambassador Reid, and asks that Mrs. Inman appear at court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
President Roosevelt has read Ambassador Reid’s speech and plans to use some of Reid’s points for himself. He agrees with Reid that the United States and Great Britain need to remove their difficulties and come to an agreement. Getting a treaty through the Senate has been difficult. Roosevelt approves Reid’s stand on “the poor little Duchess of Marlborough” as he disapproves of international marriages which are not love matches, referring to the recent separation of Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt and Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill. He concludes, “Come, my dear sir, if you won’t admit that Winston Churchill is a cad, surely you don’t object to my considering the Duke of Marlborough one!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for his letter. He is glad that Edward Grey has decided to no longer have H. Mortimer Durand as ambassador. Roosevelt asks about Sir Gerard Lowther, a possible candidate for Durand’s replacement. Roosevelt hopes they send Sir Cecil Spring Rice or Arthur Hamilton Lee instead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-06
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador to Great Britain Reid if he ever meets Algernon Charles Swinburne to ask him about his poem, “A Watch in the Night.” Roosevelt is enjoying Frederick Scott Oliver’s book, especially the insights on governmental unity and greatness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-26
President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for the interesting letter. He comments on William Jennings Bryan’s recent speech, uncertain if he should “feel more irritated or sympathetic.” Roosevelt hopes to “persuade the Cubans to act decently” and continue in self-governance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador to Great Britain Reid for the letter. He finds that Canada’s actions strain foreign relations with Great Britain. Roosevelt asks Reid to deliver the enclosed letter to the hospital that aided the Americans involved in the Salisbury train-wreck.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
President Roosevelt was glad to hear Ambassador Reid’s news that the British Government is likely to take the same stance as the United States at the Hague Conference. Referencing a letter he received from Andrew Carnegie, Roosevelt remarks that he does not want the Liberal Government “to go to any maudlin extremes at the Hague Conference,” and that while it is good to minimize the chance of war, nations should not put themselves at a disadvantage compared to militaristic nations. Roosevelt comments on several United States politicians, particularly John Sharp Williams, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-07
President Roosevelt tells Ambassador Reid to send the wreath, as suggested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-20
President Roosevelt believes Ambassador Reid has acted admirably in every case, and treated William Jennings Bryan well while he visited England. Roosevelt reflects on the Democratic party and Bryan’s role in it, and believes that Bryan will be the party’s presidential candidate in 1908. Because of Bryan’s travels around the world, however, he has been “broadened,” and “would be a far less dangerous man now then he would have been ten years ago.” While Roosevelt feels that Bryan is shallow, he admits that he is also kind and well-meaning, and while he would be a poor president, he would not be such intentionally. Roosevelt additionally thanks Reid for the consideration he paid Silas McBee during his visit to England, although he wishes there were not so many Americans who were enthusiastic to meet royalty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-27
President Roosevelt authorizes Ambassador Reid to inform the Grocers Federation that the new laws the United States Government “can and will guarantee the fitness in all respects of canned meat containing [a] Government stamp.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-07
President Roosevelt was only concerned about the letter he had sent Ambassador Reid because of its nature, but permits him to show any portions he deems proper to King Edward VII of Great Britain or Sir Edward Grey. He also recommends Reid make Roosevelt’s dislike of British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand known, emphasizing that if he had been a man Roosevelt liked, he would have consulted with him more. Roosevelt reflects on the strategies he uses in foreign relations, particularly with the Germans and German Emperor William II, but also with the English and Japanese, which he describes as “to be scrupulously polite, to show a genuine good-will toward her, but to keep our navy in such shape” so as to deter any aggression. He sends his greetings to Reid’s wife, Elisabeth Mills Reid, and remarks that he enjoyed reading about the social news from England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-27
President Roosevelt introduces Ambassador Reid to Silas McBee, editor of The Churchman. He explains that McBee would like an audience with Edward VII, King of Great Britain, and that if this is possible Roosevelt would appreciate Reid’s assistance in arranging such an audience.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-14
President Roosevelt tells Ambassador Reid that it is not necessary to change Alice Roosevelt Longworth’s plans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-15