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President Roosevelt writes that unless Admiral Caspar F. Goodrich produces evidence, there is no need for Admiral A. T. Mahan to act. Multiple accounts have validated Admiral Charles S. Sperry’s statements, and Goodrich has been against the voyage of the Great White Fleet from the start.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-01
John W. Vrooman recounts his recent trip to upstate New York to William Loeb. Vrooman has heard that many want President Roosevelt to run for the Senate after his term ends, and asks Loeb if Admiral Goodrich’s retirement could be postponed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-18
Three elderly naval officers question the spirit of John Paul Jones regarding the “Navy Dept. vs. Jones” for charges of conduct during the Revolutionary War, such as “Item 962 concerning the charge of cowardice” and “Did you get a rake-off in the Grog contract?” A map on the wall in the background shows “the loop of the Bonhomme Richard.” The cartoonist is spoofing a court of inquiry requested by Admiral Winfield Scott Schley following accusations regarding his conduct during the Battle of Santiago. Caption: Chairman of Paul Jones Inquiry Board — Captain Jones, did you or did you not say, “Damn the Alliance! Let her take care of herself!”
The actual context of Joseph Keppler’s cover cartoon in Puck was not much as the four-year-old controversy between Winfield Scott Schley and William T. Sampson in the naval battle of Santiago Bay in Spanish-American War. Both were rear admirals (Schley Acting at the time), but Sampson was Schley’s superior officer. A book published after the war accused Schley of lassitude, insubordination, and cowardice in following (or not) orders at sea.
At center a valentine card features President Roosevelt as Cupid. Around the outside are other valentines featuring two European leaders, American industrial and political figures, a Russian admiral, a writer identified only as “Tom,” and a Wall Street con artist.
Whether it was a cartoonist’s creative crutch every year, or readers’ happy expectations, the easy formula of imaginary Valentine’s Day cards for political figures was a frequent feature in Puck and other satirical weeklies of the day. Frederick Burr Opper drew many of these over his years at Puck in the 1880s and ’90s.
Two women lean out windows. On the left is an Irish domestic representing the “Dem. Party” and on the right is a well-dressed matron representing the “Rep. Party.” Between them hangs a balance scale labeled “Party Politics” with Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley on the left, trying to upset the balance by pulling on the chains, causing the scale to swing wildly, and with Rear Admiral William Thomas Sampson on the right, struggling to hang on.
At the time of this cartoon there was an intense national debate over conflicting claims about the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba in the Spanish-American War. Despite the partisan figures in Keppler’s windows, the controversy was more about personalities than parties. Acting Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson had command of the American fleet and designed a battle plan to blockade the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor. He even decided which Americans ships would pursue in case of a breakout. His inferior officer, Rear-Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, commanded the fleet whilst Sampson was ashore conferring with General William Shafter. Indeed the Spanish ships, commanded by Admiral Pascual Cervera, broke out, and after naval scrambles and chases, sometimes hampered by artillery smoke, all were destroyed or grounded. Sampson’s ships arrived after the fighting, yet the tactician of the battle cabled Washington, “The Fleet under my command offers the nation, as a Fourth of July present, the whole of Cervera’s fleet.” Schley, who managed the victory, had nevertheless displayed occasional vacillation, if not insubordination, and independence that left other officers confused at times. Both officers were celebrated after the war — as were other heroes like Theodore Roosevelt and Admiral George T Dewey — and each had their fervent partisans. After release of a book that criticized Schley in the extreme, he requested a Board of Inquiry. Its hearings and findings (generally supporting Sampson, supported on appeal by President Theodore Roosevelt) were a national sensation.
An oversized Abraham Lincoln, holding an ax, addresses a diminutive Rear Admiral William T. Sampson regarding the case of Gunner Charles Morgan’s efforts toward advancement in rank in the U.S. Navy. Caption: “Don’t you think, Sonny, that your ‘five o’clock tea’ rule might shut out some good men?”
The background of this cartoon was a colorful clash, coming to a head on the floor of the United States Senate, when Senator William V. Allen of Nebraska upbraided Admiral William T. Sampson, who had recommended against the promotion of a Naval Gunner, Charles Morgan. Sampson granted that Morgan had technical and professional ability, but that warrant officers should not advance to ensign grades because they had not enjoyed social advantages perviously. He urged the Secretary of the Navy to deny such promotions. Senator Allen’s Senate speech, represented in the cartoon in milder terms by the figure of Abraham Lincoln, used terms of approbation like “snobbish aristocracy,” “disgrace,” “conceited ass,” “a class of bejeweled aristocrats,” and “arrant coward”… all directed at the Naval hero Sampson. The “tea” reference in the cartoon suggests that men in Sampson’s class were effete.
Theodore Roosevelt thinks that when World War I goes in history, it will be recognized that Admiral Louis Alexander Mountbatten’s action in connection with the mobilization of the British Fleet was one of two or three critical things which the Allies did that allowed them to neutralize the extraordinary German efficiency. Roosevelt assures Mountbatten that he will receive credit for this. Roosevelt also sends Mountbatten a copy of an article he has written in which he references Mountbatten’s actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
President Roosevelt informs Representative Foss, Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, that he has sent Senator Thomas Collier Platt a bill that would create the grade of vice-admiral, with an aim to appoint Robley D. Evans to that position. He believes that the position should have been created before now, and hopes that it will be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-22
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Platt for his action regarding the bill providing for a vice admiral of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-22
President Roosevelt asks Senator Platt if there is any chance for Robley D. Evans to be made vice admiral, and suggests it may be possible to pass a bill in order to accomplish this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-17
President Roosevelt is surprised by Henry Cabot Lodge’s claim that the Naval Board supported Rear-Admiral Harry H. Rousseau succeeding Admiral Robley D. Evans. He asks if Admiral George Dewey had told him this, as Dewey had told him that Rear Admiral Caspar F. Goodrich should succeed Rousseau. After meeting with the Naval Board, Roosevelt concludes that Evans and those under his command have done their work well and that the Dewey camp are “entirely in error” to rally against Evans and Rousseau.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-10
President Roosevelt believes he must have expressed himself poorly to Representative Edward B. Vreeland if Admiral Willard H. Brownson’s feelings were hurt by the letter. He explains to Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte that he was concerned more with the legislation and differentiation between the cases of hazing than he was with what had been done at the Naval Academy in the past. Roosevelt tells Bonaparte that he thinks highly of Brownson, and would like to see him succeed Admiral George Albert Converse in the Bureau of Navigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-26
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Choate to ensure that his sister Corinne Robinson and her husband are afforded every opportunity to view the coronation (Edward VII) as they will happen to be in London at that time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Bust portrait of George Dewey, facing left, wearing military uniform, framed by a laurel wreath draped with the American flag. A vignette at the upper right shows Admiral David G. Farragut on the rigging of a ship during a battle labeled “New Orleans 1862,” and a vignette on the lower left shows the destruction of the Spanish fleet labeled “Manila 1898.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1898-05-25
Print shows Admiral George Dewey carrying a suitcase labeled “Dewey U.S.A.,” and coming ashore where he is beset by gnats carrying signs that state, “Write us a soap advertisement, This house you can’t use but please accept it (Brooklyn Eagle), Invitation to attend county fair, Request for autograph, Invitation to dinner, Nomination for President, Proposal of marriage, Request to lecture, [and] Write us a war story.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1899-06-21
Print shows Admiral George Dewey, full-length portrait, facing front, wearing military uniform, holding hat in right hand, standing before the goddess Clio who is sitting on a throne, holding a scroll labeled “History.” Behind Dewey, a sailor holds an American flag and there are busts of George Washington and James Monroe against a wall.
Caption: History (to Admiral Dewey)–I give you a high place on my scroll. Like Washington and Monroe you have marked a new era for your country.
Theodore Roosevelt describes the end of a lawsuit in which an editor who libeled him eventually gave in. Roosevelt believes he succeeded in putting the matter behind him and he is pleased with the way his friends supported him through the ordeal.
1913-05-31