Your TR Source
President Roosevelt informs James E. Sullivan that he will write the State Department to see if Sullivan’s appointment can be made out as he desires. Roosevelt is sorry about runner Johnny Hayes’s work decisions. He thoroughly enjoyed having the athletes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
President Roosevelt thoroughly enjoyed visiting with James E. Sullivan and the Olympic victors. He encloses a copy of the letter and requests that Sullivan only shares it with a few intimate friends and ensure that it does not get into the papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-01
President Roosevelt agrees with Irish American sports official James E. Sullivan that there has been too much talk regarding the issue of Johnny Hayes’s Olympic victory. It was still a remarkable victory, and making complaints reflects poorly on America. The “dignified and wise” response is not to comment publicly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
President Roosevelt asks James E. Sullivan to read the enclosed letter from Baron William Henry Grenfell Desborough, and advise Roosevelt as to how he should respond.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
President Roosevelt tells James E. Sullivan that he will agree to serve again as honorary president of the Amateur Athletic Union because he believes “emphatically in you and the other men engaged in the movement.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-09
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks James M. Sullivan for sending the book on the American National game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-29
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks James E. Sullivan for the almanacs he sent to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-13
President Roosevelt thanks James E. Sullivan for the praise regarding his recent ninety-mile horseback ride.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-15
President Roosevelt asks James E. Sullivan to send him any statements the Amateur Athletic Association makes regarding the attack or any statements issued by the British and sent out by their embassy. Roosevelt asks Sullivan to bring any statement to him personally, and to have lunch with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
President Roosevelt congratulates James E. Sullivan on his appointment to the New York Board of Education. He believes that Sullivan can do a great deal of good in conjunction with athletics in public schools.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-26
President Roosevelt regrets that there should be any further discussion in publications about the London Olympics controversy. He reiterates to James E. Sullivan, president of the American Amateur Athletic Union, that he does not want to be brought into the affair in any manner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-25
President Roosevelt agrees with James E. Sullivan’s feeling about the publication from the British Embassy. After the English Amateur Athletic Association published what it did, Sullivan had no choice but to take action. Roosevelt extends his sympathies for the death of skater Samuel J. Montgomery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-19
President Roosevelt repeats his request that James E. Sullivan not show his letter to Theodore Andrea Cook to anyone. He will still be associated with the presidency after he leaves office, and cannot afford to be drawn into the controversy surrounding the 1908 Olympics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-17
President Roosevelt asks James E. Sullivan not to make the letter public or show it to anyone. What Theodore Andrea Cook said about Sullivan was just a “general expression of disapproval.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-15
President Roosevelt thanks James E. Sullivan for the letter and mentions that he may write the article that Sullivan suggested. Roosevelt encloses a letter he wrote to an English Olympic official who wrote him an unwarranted letter regarding an incident at the London Olympics. He instructs Sullivan to keep the letter private.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-06
President Roosevelt congratulates James E. Sullivan on the performance of the American Olympic team in London.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-27
President Roosevelt believes that if men like James E. Sullivan have regarded him as a “decent American” and a President that best represents American ideals by the end of his term, then he cannot wish for anything better than that.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-08
President Roosevelt would be happy to accept the position of honorary referee if he were able to attend the games James E. Sullivan mentioned, but as he cannot be present he cannot accept. Roosevelt additionally feels that he cannot accept the honorary presidency. Roosevelt invites Sullivan to visit Washington, D.C., so he can hear about the game and explain more fully why he will not accept the honorary presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21
President Roosevelt sends his congratulations to James E. Sullivan and the American athletes for their admirable performance at the 1906 Olympic Games.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-25
President Roosevelt thanks James E. Sullivan for the badges. He wishes that when convenient, Sullivan would come speak with him about “continued questions of amateur athletics.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-22