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President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of War Wright to designate James Cooper Waddell of Delphi, Indiana, for the admissions exam for the United States Military Academy at the recommendation of Representative Charles B. Landis. Landis’s previous appointee failed the Christmas examination during his second year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-01
President Roosevelt calls Secretary of War Wright’s attention to the report of the Board of Engineers that accompanied President-elect William H. Taft to Panama. Roosevelt directs that the plans be changed in reference to the proportions of the Gatun Dam in accordance with the report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-16
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Wright to restore the inscription of Jefferson Davis’s name as Secretary of War to the Cabin John Bridge. It should be made public next Monday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-16
President Roosevelt urges Secretary of War Wright to extend courtesies to the bearer of this letter, W. Sloan Simpson, a member of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders regiment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-09
President Roosevelt supports the idea of offering “substantial clemency” to a man about to undergo a military trial. He argues to Secretary of War Wright that the man should still be punished, but not punished as severely because the man has reenlisted. However, Roosevelt mentions that it is his successor who must ultimately deal with the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Wright for a report on an enclosed letter written by Gordon Johnston on behalf of John E. McMahon, who was rejected as a cadet at the United States Military Academy for having a crooked forearm. Roosevelt will direct that McMahon be admitted, if he has the power to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Wright that he would like a report from the board which was alluded to in Wright’s previous letter. Roosevelt would like the report in one week, as it has been two months since the initial letter, and he wishes to receive the report before he leaves the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt has received Secretary of War Wright’s letter and Mr. Brown’s report on the Brownsville Affair. Roosevelt concurs with Wright that this report does not need to be sent to Congress. Roosevelt observes that the report uses the testimony of “the colored men themselves” to establish that it was “colored soldiers” who were responsible for the shootings. In particular, the report’s findings make it clear to Roosevelt that Mingo Sanders should not be reinstated. This material will be made available to the board making decisions about reinstatement if the Senate legislation on the matter passes, and to the president if the board approves any reinstatements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt sends Captain Dan T. Moore’s letter to Secretary of War Wright. Moore, who is in Germany, would like official permission from the State Department to extend his detail there to take an artillery shooting course. Roosevelt believes this will benefit the service as a whole and asks if Wright can secure the permission for Moore to attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-09
President Roosevelt intends to send President-Elect William H. Taft and six engineers to examine the Panama Canal. Roosevelt asks that Secretary of War Wright instruct the Isthmian Canal Commission to pay for the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-06
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Wright if there is, or is likely to be, a vacancy open in the War Department. Roosevelt would like to transfer Isabella Hagner, current White House Social Secretary, to a suitable position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Wright to send him information relevant to the Aldrich resolution, which relates to the employment of special investigators, so that he may give a comprehensive report to the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Wright to order Major Edgar Alexander Mearns, on the day of his retirement, to report to the President of the United States for active duty. Roosevelt wishes for him to receive pay and commutation of a retired officer when placed on active duty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-24
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Wright that he has written letters to both William H. Taft and George W. Goethals, copies of which he encloses. Roosevelt asks if it is possible to find a position for William Stickney, as he would like to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-13
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Wright if the position of Chief of Police for Panama has been filled yet. If it has not, Roosevelt would like to suggest Grosvenor A. Porter, a former U.S. Marshal, for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-11
President Roosevelt approves the plans for the withdrawal of troops from Cuba that Secretary of War Wright suggests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-11
President Roosevelt approves Secretary of War Wright’s recommendations regarding the paving and sewering of Havana, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-11
President Roosevelt has received Secretary of War Wright’s letter concerning the controversy between William A. Shippey and the engineer officer in charge of the government work on the Tennessee River Canal. Roosevelt has directed Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry to act on the matter in Wright’s stead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-10
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Wright to look into the record of Captain James F. Brady, about whom Roosevelt has heard very good things. Roosevelt would like to help Brady advance, if possible, but would first like to see if his military record matches with the reports he has received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Wright that Oscar K. Davis, of the New York Times, is investigating papers connected with the purchase of the Panama Canal. He has thus far been unable to find the minutes of the final meeting of the stockholders of the New Panama Canal Company. Roosevelt asks Wright to have the files examined to determine whether such a document exists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-07