Your TR Source
Charles H. Davis acknowledges Frank Harper’s previous letter and says that Theodore Roosevelt has written and agreed to address the African Americans citizens of Atlanta.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-14
Gough D. McDaniels, the first black winner of Brown University’s Gaston medal, delivers a speech exhorting the United States to send support for Liberia. McDaniels argues that the Liberians have a chance to civilize the African continent, and points out the ways that a stable Liberia could economically benefit the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910
President-Elect Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the upcoming inauguration and legislative debates. Taft reiterates that he has not changed his mind about Fowler (presumably the Fowler Bill relating to financial reform, H.R. 12677) but will attempt to subvert any machinations by that bill’s sponsor, Representative Charles N. Fowler. Taft requests feedback on his inaugural address regarding relations with Japan, and shares that several prominent African American leaders, including Booker T. Washington, have evaluated his speech as it relates to African Americans. Taft concludes by warmly accepting an offer to stay in the White House during the last night of the Roosevelt administration, partially to undermine rumors that he and Roosevelt have been in conflict.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
William H. Taft tells President Roosevelt that he appreciated the letter he wrote regarding William Jennings Bryan and Samuel Gompers. He believes that it may make an impression on previously-apathetic people. Taft discusses his chances in Ohio: despite concerns from Roosevelt and the press, he believes that he will win the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-01
Charles William Anderson encloses a letter that will show that Stewart L. Woodford is likely involved in a scheme to organize bolts of African American men across the South. At the conference, Anderson noted that Charles Evans Hughes could not be nominated, and Woodford took exception. Anderson relays his role in the conference to William Loeb.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-01
Stewart L. Woodford regrets that Charles William Anderson will be a delegate to the National Convention for two reasons. First, controversy at southern conventions makes it unwise for federal office holders such as Anderson, a tax collector, to be part of the nominating convention. Second, in light of the controversy surrounding the dismissal of African American soldiers at Brownsville, Anderson, an African American, will be put in an awkward position in deciding whether to defend or condemn the soldiers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-29
Representative Parsons does not think Charles William Anderson can be a delegate to the National Convention, as the “colored vote” is not big enough to warrant it. Many people want to go as delegates and it is difficult to find opportunities for everybody, especially providing for men supporting Charles Evans Hughes. Parsons asks William Loeb to ask Booker T. Washington what his source is that tells him that there will be other black delegates at the convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-11
Booker T. Washington informs President Roosevelt that he was in Boston for the election of Mayor George A. Hibbard. While the Brownsville affair caused much agitation in Tuskegee, especially during the recent election there, Washington is pleased to report that it did not affect African American support for the Republican party in Boston. He believes it will not hurt the campaign of Secretary of War William H. Taft, should he be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-16
Charles William Anderson sends William Loeb a clipping from The Cleveland Gazette campaigning against the reelection bid of Republican Representative Theodore E. Burton. He also sends a letter from the Gazette co-founder and owner Harry C. Smith from Judge Mifflin Wistar Gibbs congratulating him on how well the newspaper opposed Burton and hoping that President Roosevelt would receive similar treatment by the newspaper if he were to run. Anderson is concerned by Gibbs’s stance, as his son-in-law William Henry Hunt is currently the Consul to St. Etienne, France.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Chairman Lyon of the Republican National Convention strategizes with President Roosevelt regarding African Americans. Lyon does not believe that Roosevelt should spend much time trying to attract African American voters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-21
John Allison, Chancellor of the Davidson Chancery Court in Tennessee, notes that the African American churches and organizations protesting President Roosevelt’s dismissal of a battalion of African American soldiers have not made any resolutions condemning the soldiers that he believes are responsible for killing innocent civilians in Brownsville, Texas, nor have they expressed any sympathy for those victims or regret at the conduct of the battalion whom he believes are protecting the murderers. Allison tells President Roosevelt’s secretary, William Loeb, that this is typical behavior for African Americans, and he urges Roosevelt not to countermand his order of dismissal because it might embolden the “worst elements of their race.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-21
Charles William Anderson informs William Loeb that Roscoe Conkling Simmons, Booker T. Washington’s nephew by marriage, has started a newspaper in New York that aligns with the political leanings of Benjamin B. Odell and Lemuel Ely Quigg. Other friends of Washington have also expressed political opinions contrary to Roosevelt, and Anderson intends to tell Washington that he ought to stand by the President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
Charles William Anderson writes to William Loeb about the meeting of the Republican State Committee in New York. Anderson disputes a report that Chairman of the Committee Benjamin B. Odell had intended to question Anderson’s right to vote in the Committee. Anderson suggests that a future meeting between President Roosevelt and New York Representative Herbert Parsons will “clear up the atmosphere” concerning rumored indifference on the part of Roosevelt toward Parsons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-30
Charles William Anderson informs William Lobe that the New York Age, a prominent black newspaper, is supporting Benjamin B. Odell and Lemuel Ely Quigg. Anderson also notes that Odell and Quigg aim to challenge Anderson’s membership to the Republican State Committee in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-31
Judson Whitlocke Lyons writes to President Roosevelt to clarify statements made by Lyons to the New York Age. These statements address administration policy of replacing all African Americans in office in the South with white men. Lyons reassures Roosevelt that he has addressed the misinformation and includes the full text of his statement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-02
Booker T. Washington assures President Roosevelt that Fortune‘s editorial will be republished in colored newspapers throughout the country and little influence of the first editorial will remain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-15
Charles William Anderson acknowledges William Loeb’s request relative to Colonel John Nugent. He asks Loeb to send a note to Internal Revenue Commissioner John Watson Yerkes, requesting two additional places in the office of Collector of Internal Revenue. Anderson, who is “colored,” has recently been appointed by President Roosevelt to Collector of Internal Revenue and wants to add one man whom “the circles of high initiation” want placed and another man to represent the colored voters without displacing any of the present officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-18
Booker T. Washington informs William Loeb that Samuel Laing Williams will be in Washington, D.C., next week. Washington hopes Loeb will ensure Williams gets an appointment with President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-13
Booker T. Washington asks President Roosevelt not to give too much attention to an accompanying letter from Joseph O. Thompson about Washington being a delegate to the Hague Conference and assures President Roosevelt of his allegiance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-11
Charles William Anderson, the Supervisor of Racing Accounts in the State of New York, confidentially informs William Loeb that the Bishop has “touched our friend Ward for a cold Thousand,” but the situation has been resolved. Anderson updates Loeb on his club’s work to secure the “colored” vote in New York City.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-08