African Americans--Politics and government

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rodman Paul Snelling

Regarding public offices, President Roosevelt defends his appointment to and removal of “colored men” and claims to have made this policy well known to the public through the publication of an open letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Booker T. Washington

President Roosevelt felt melancholy about the attitude of Boston’s African-Americans towards Booker T. Washington and will read the Atlantic Monthly article with great interest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Goode Jones

President Roosevelt is distressed that many Southerners consider him hostile to the South. Roosevelt understands that his policy of appointing African Americans makes him unpopular, but he argues that his appointments of African Americans in the South are far less than there should be when compared to the African American population.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edgar S. Wilson

Mr. Montgomery has resigned and President Roosevelt asks Edgar S. Wilson to recommend a “colored man” as a replacement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rollo Ogden

President Roosevelt finds the discussion on African American equality or domination to be “nonsensical” and was serious when he said that he wanted a square deal for African Americans. President Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter with Ogden.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Demos Crum

President Roosevelt instructs William Demos Crum to administer his office with “probity and efficiency” so that no cause of complaint can be found.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Booker T. Washington

President Roosevelt is convinced that William Demos Crum needs to be appointed and will once again send his name to the Senate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell

President Roosevelt defends his policy of appointments in the South.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Booker T. Washington

President Roosevelt is pleased that Booker T. Washington understands that Roosevelt might be reducing the quantity of African American appointments but the quality of appointments is increasing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Watson Gilder

President Roosevelt complains about the press coverage of his actions relating to African Americans, including the Indianola affair, appointing African Americans, and Roosevelt’s relationship with Booker T. Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Gaius C. Bolen has written to President Roosevelt protesting a speech by Secretary of War Root regarding the right of “colored men” to vote. Roosevelt believes that Bolen is a good man and asks Root if a letter should be sent to reassure Bolen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William P. Frye

Some of Dr. Crum’s friends have requested that President Roosevelt recall Crum’s appointment for the “good of the colored race.” Roosevelt will agree only if the request comes from Dr. Crum, and he refuses to ask Dr. Crum to remove himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Silas McBee

President Roosevelt appreciates Silas McBee’s “earnest and sincere effort” to support him editorially in McBee’s newspaper, The Churchman. Roosevelt defends his appointments in the southern United States, especially the appointment of African Americans. The African American men he has appointed are “of a high grade of excellence” and came with the recommendation of Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt recommends as well several prominent southern men who can speak to the nature of his appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Shaw

President Roosevelt defends his appointments and treatment of the South.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to D. M. Taylor

President Roosevelt believes his appointments in Mississippi have been fair; he has appointed many Democrats and “but one or two colored men.” Roosevelt is trying his best to do what is “square and right” regarding the Indianola post office matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Brawley

President Roosevelt did not mean to offend Judge Brawley or ignore his statements regarding William Demos Crum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Adger Smyth

President Roosevelt defends his policy of appointing African Americans in states where “their numbers warranted it,” and in situations where prospective African American appointees are competent and reputable. In particular, Roosevelt defends the appointment of William Crum in Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. Goodwyn Rhett

President Roosevelt denies that he agreed to prevent the appointment of African Americans to office when objections are raised over their color. Roosevelt has appointed several African Americans to positions in southern states and will not make an exception for South Carolina. There have been no charges of “unfitness” against William Demos Crum, and his appointment will go forward since his only offense against white southerners appears to be the color of his skin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott

President Roosevelt believes that William Michael Byrne is a good District Attorney and he was one of the few Catholics to support the administration on the friar question in the Philippines. Roosevelt plans to make appointments in Delaware without regard to the Republican factions in the state. Roosevelt would like to speak with Lyman Abbott on “the question of the Colored race.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-21