Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Rear Admiral Evans has not bothered the Department of the Navy knowing what Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt has in mind for him. He reports that conditions are not good and warns Roosevelt to prevent Spain from sending ships to Cuba and to send American vessels as quickly as possible. Evans does not think highly of a certain admiral or chief of staff. He instructs Roosevelt to keep the letter confidential.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-11

T. B. Connery thanks Assistant Secretary Roosevelt for his letter and understands his reasons for not taking action on behalf of his son, who is seeking the appointment of paymaster in the Navy. However, Connery persists in explaining that William Bourke Cockran, who wrote a letter of recommendation for Connery’s son, had insisted that his letter would be seen by President William McKinley if Cockran sent the letter to Roosevelt. Thus, Connery asks if it would be acceptable for Roosevelt to forward Cockran’s letter to McKinley if he could do so “without comment,” so as not to appear to be seeking any favors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-14

John Ellis Roosevelt informs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that the tax officers require an affidavit and encloses an affidavit for him to look over. Roosevelt was sorry to learn that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has been so sick and trusts that she is better now.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-17

Henry White informs Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that his team has been able to purchase a ship, the Amazonas, from the Brazilian Government. He also discusses personnel changes directed by Roosevelt’s department, and hopes that he can return home for a visit if war does not break out. He additionally wishes Mrs. Roosevelt a speedy recovery from an illness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-18

Max F. Ihmsen is troubled to read that Assistant Secretary Roosevelt doubts the veracity of the interview he gave to The New York Journal. Ihmsen has never been accused of lying about an interview. He encloses an extract of the article in question. Ihmsen then encloses the response of the journal to Roosevelt’s condemnation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-19

French Ensor Chadwick is convinced that the United States government needs to issue a manifesto on the necessity of putting an end to the horrors in Cuba and demand that Spain leave the island. Such action should be taken immediately. Chadwick discusses how easy it would be to assault Havanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-24

John Ellis Roosevelt outlines the residency requirements for voting in a state election and explains to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that because Roosevelt claimed not to have resided in Oyster Bay, New York, for tax purposes, it would be best to forego voting in the fall. Arrangements can be made, however, to establish residence in Oyster Bay this summer if Roosevelt desires it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-24

Admiral Evans informs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that he has turned his ankle and must take care of himself to be able to work when he arrives in Key West, Florida. He encloses requests for command of a large ship and movement of guard boats. He writes that the “safety of our fleet will depend on the promptness with which the guard boats are sent to Key West.” Evans regrets not being able to have lunch together as planned.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-25

George Haven Putnam responds to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt’s inquiry regarding the total number of copies sold of three books Roosevelt has written.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-25

William Tudor writes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt about newspaper reports that the administration plans to overlook the explosion of the USS Maine. Tudor argues that their primary responsibility is to self-protection and that the United States should order the Spaniards to “conduct the war in a civilized war.” He warns that if the government does not respond accordingly “there will be found still greater difficulty in finding men to serve on our ships.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-26

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, John Ellis, 1853-1939

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Receipt from the Metropolitan Club Restaurant for scrambled eggs, a glass of milk, and sardines. Theodore Roosevelt paid fifty-five cents for the meal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-31

Benjamin F. Tracy writes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt with a dispatch that he sent President William McKinley. In it, Tracy suggests that even though the nation is not at war with Spain yet, it is still wise to move the fleet into an advantageous position. He writes that the duration of the war is dependent on whether the US can strike the first blow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-02

Receipt from the Metropolitan Club Restaurant for a meal which included half a spring chicken and two glasses of milk. Theodore Roosevelt paid fifty-five cents for the meal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-02

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-03

Creator(s)

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Houghton, Mifflin and Company received Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt’s prefaces to his books Thomas H. Benton and Gouverneur Morris: The Study of His Life and Work and inform him that as of January 1, 1898, the first book has sold 6,338 copies and the second, 5,385 copies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-07

Invoice for books shipped in February and March, with receipt at bottom; Turner-Turner Hunting and Trapping, Chapman Travels in the Interior, Kerr Far Interior, Wilcox Camping in the Canadian Rockies, and others.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-12

Receipt from the Metropolitan Club Restaurant for a meal that included mutton chops, a glass of milk, and scrambled eggs. Theodore Roosevelt paid one dollar and ten cents for the meal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-14

William Wells tells Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that his letter is at hand and that he is sorry that an unidentified person cannot make it out. If Roosevelt is to come, they will plan a big hunt. The best times are the spring and late fall. Wells is getting dogs ready for hunts and has been wanting to handle more grizzly bears. Wells also mentions the hunting practices of the Shoshone Indians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-15

Benjamin F. Tracy writes Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt asking why the Navy is not working more expeditiously to build torpedo boats for the impending conflict with Spain. He suggests that the USS Kearsage and USS Kentucky be completed by September 1.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-16