Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt will be traveling to Maine and would like to meet with the state’s leaders to discuss the campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-05
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by William Wingate Sewall’s letter, as well as the way Sewall handled a man who claimed Roosevelt was drunk.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt confirms his political principles for William Wingate Sewall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-28
Theodore Roosevelt cannot do as the “poor girl” requests. He believes in resisting outside pressure in regards to promotion. Roosevelt wishes he could visit the Sewall family, but it is not possible at present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-09
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-24
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Wingate Sewall’s views on President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. They shirked their duty regarding Belgium and their conduct in Mexico has been “atrocious beyond belief.” Roosevelt believes that the Wilson administration is attempting to court German American votes and he is angered that German Americans are using their American citizenship against the interests of the United States. Citizens should be “straight United States and nothing else.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the Progressive Party, and from a national standpoint, he would like to await developments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-06
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with most of what William Wingate Sewall wrote. But, Roosevelt does not support Edwin C. Burleigh for Senator from Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-03
President Roosevelt thanks William Wingate Sewall for his letter. As president, Roosevelt has tried to make the “plain people” feel he was especially their representative. The stockings Sewall sent were just what Roosevelt wanted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
President Roosevelt would be glad to accept the gift of some socks from William Wingate Sewall and his wife, Mary Alice Sherman Sewall. He also wrote to Flavilla Sleeper Caldwell to thank her for the socks, as Sewall suggested. Roosevelt is glad that Sewall approves of what he said about the secret service men, and thinks that Congress is very foolish. He has spoken to President-elect William H. Taft about keeping Sewall in his current position, but also encloses a letter in case there is any question. Roosevelt requests that he keep this letter strictly confidential, otherwise he would receive many other requests for similar letters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-18
President Roosevelt was pleased to hear from William Wingate Sewall. He feels that the victory is a triumph for the common sense of Americans, who stood up to William Jennings Bryan making “every demagogic appeal that could be made.” He does not want the drawers that Sewall offered as he is not going somewhere cold, but the socks are just what he needs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-08
President Roosevelt thanks William Wingate Sewall for the letter, and is looking forward to visiting him in Maine sometime. Roosevelt hopes that his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, will be better soon once the strain of being in the presidency has passed. Roosevelt says that personally, he has greatly enjoyed his time as president, and if he had listened only to his own wishes, he would be delighted to stay president. Because Roosevelt gave his word, however, he believes he must keep it. He also mentions that while he believes in a strong presidency, he also believes it is not good for one person to hold the office for too long.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-26
President Roosevelt tells William Wingate Sewall that his son Archibald B. Roosevelt is doing much better. He is glad to hear that Sewall was able to witness Iowa Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver speech and appreciates that he agrees with him on the railroad issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-27
President Roosevelt explains his upcoming Panama trip to William Wingate Sewall. He is traveling by battleship and will only have a few men in official positions accompany him. As Sewall has no official business in Panama, he is not welcomed. Roosevelt has refused hundreds of requests similar to Sewall’s.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
President Roosevelt thanks William Wingate Sewall for the maple sugar, which his family is enjoying. He wishes he could visit Sewall in the North Woods, and says that he would, except that it would be impossible to escape from the press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-20
President Roosevelt regrets that his son, Kermit Roosevelt, will not be able to come visit William Wingate Sewall in Maine, and wishes that he could come up himself with all his family. He is glad Sewall approves of what he has been doing as president, and remarks that he has tried to be the representative of the “plain people,” just like his hero Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt was sorry to hear about the death of Sewall’s brother, David A. Sewall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-13
President Roosevelt assures his friend, William Wingate Sewall, that he will be appointed as Collector of Customs for Aroostook, Maine. However, Roosevelt explains that Congressman Llewellyn Powers is not sure he will be able to appoint Sewall’s nephew postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-15
Although he is glad to hear from William Wingate Sewall, President Roosevelt is concerned to learn about his brother Samuel T. Sewall’s family. Roosevelt believes that if they can get William the collector of customs post, they should be able to “put Sam in all right” as postmaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-04
President Roosevelt thanks William Wingate Sewall for the maple sugar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-30
President Roosevelt would like to appoint William Wingate Sewell to the collectorship, but needs a petition to demonstrate support for Sewell. Roosevelt does not want to get into a fight with the Senators or Representatives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-17
President Roosevelt appreciates William Wingate Sewall’s thoughts about Panama. He will discuss the collectorship with Representative Powers and Senator Hale.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-26