Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is pleased that Ted Roosevelt is carefully considering the “Army and Navy business.” They can discuss the matter over Easter. It has been very cold with enough snow to make riding enjoyable. Roosevelt has been very busy with work and the social season.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-23
President Roosevelt believes that Ted Roosevelt has the perseverance and common sense to succeed in civilian life. In Roosevelt’s experience, many military men were “fossilized” and lacking in ambition. Opportunities in the military are limited and chances to truly rise above may only happen once in a generation. Ted’s education will also be limited due to the required years of service after attending a military academy. Roosevelt wants Ted to think over his future carefully before making any decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-11
President Roosevelt has been very busy and unable to exercise. The Panama and Wood fights are dragging on but Roosevelt believes he will win both. Regardless of what lays ahead in the party nomination and presidential election, Roosevelt is proud of his achievements in office. He has had some good rides and walks and also fought “broadsword” against Granville Fortescue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-18
President Roosevelt would like his son Ted to use the best ankle support possible, perhaps even putting the ankle in plaster for a few weeks. Harvard did better against Yale then expected but “lack of proper coaching” and fumbles lost them the game. If Ted is ready for a good history of the American Revolution, President Roosevelt could lend his copy of Sir George Otto Trevelyan’s book.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-28
Uncle James King Gracie has passed away and President Roosevelt will attempt to attend the funeral on Friday. Roosevelt is currently busy with the Panama treaty, Cuban reciprocity, and having General Leonard Wood confirmed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-24
President Roosevelt updates his son Theodore Roosevelt on the family. Roosevelt is disgusted by the poor performance of the Harvard football team. The trouble with Panama and Colombia has given President Roosevelt “an idea of the fearful times Lincoln must have had in dealing with the great crises he had to face.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-15
President Roosevelt saw the house on election day and was homesick. Their horse Renown is behaving well around automobiles and Bleistein is in splendid spirits even with a shaky foreleg. Roosevelt also reflects on the Harvard game and does not believe they can defeat Yale this year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
Archibald Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt are playing with wooden spears and tin shields while Ethel Roosevelt has spent two days in bed threatened by bronchitis. President Roosevelt was amused with the visit of the Episcopal bishops from the South, two of which were African Americans, in light of the uproar that was caused when Booker T. Washington visited the White House. Roosevelt cannot understand how the South can send two African American clergymen to visit but object to a visit from an African American educator or official.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-31
President Roosevelt compares Theodore Roosevelt’s success in athletics to his own time in the New York Assembly. President Roosevelt is pleased with the Alaska boundary award and believes that a decisive factor in the arbitration was the British understanding of the consequences that would follow a disagreement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-20
President Roosevelt is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt has a high standing in his class at Groton School but reemphasizes that athletics must be subordinate to study and work. Renown is behaving better around automobiles and Roosevelt rewards his good behavior with lumps of sugar. Roosevelt continues to struggle with the “very wealthy people” and the trade unionists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-24
President Roosevelt has received several letters from Groton faculty and staff recommending that Theodore Roosevelt play on the third squad. Roosevelt agrees with their assessment because the risk of injury is too high simply to play on the second squad instead of the third.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-10
Seth Bullock wrote a very complimentary letter about Theodore Roosevelt and George. After Theodore Roosevelt left, President Roosevelt spent the day with Edith Roosevelt and played tennis with Loraine the next morning. Archibald Roosevelt said goodbye to Oliver with a fifteen minute “ferocious scrap.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-23
Theodore Roosevelt will be allowed to play football on the Groton School second squad but President Roosevelt is uncertain if the risk is met by the reward and wants him to focus on studies. President Roosevelt has been spending time with the son of former President Garfield who is a great comfort.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-04
President Roosevelt hopes that Ted will learn frontier and camping skills on his trip but doubts that there will be much sport. The Roosevelt family has been busy riding horses, rowing, and playing tennis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-25
President Roosevelt congratulates Ted Roosevelt on his boxing. President Roosevelt will soon be on his western trip and is concerned that “nothing but slush” will make traveling in Yellowstone difficult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-20
President Roosevelt describes his recent dinner guests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-01
Kermit Roosevelt will be returning to school tomorrow. A fencing master met with President Roosevelt and General Wood to offer advice in their “broad sword exercise.” He reiterates his warning to Theodore Roosevelt that he should not box or wrestle out of his class.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-06
President Roosevelt is sorry to hear about Ted Roosevelt’s tonsillitis. Roosevelt has been spending time with Major William Austin Wadsworth and his famous horse, Black Friar. Finally, President Roosevelt advises Roosevelt not to wrestle or box out of his class.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-15
President Roosevelt has been playing single-stick with General Wood and Lieutenant McCoy. Roosevelt is glad that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will be visiting Ted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-24