Your TR Source
Quentin Roosevelt tells his fiancée Flora Whitney about his various flying activities in France, including drawings of formations. He also encloses a snapshot and looks forward to being together with Flora “whenever this is done with.”
1918-02-04
John H. Lorimer wishes to clarify to Major Fuller why he presented his ideas for a militarized airplane to the Board of Ordnance and Fortification in the manner he did. Lorimer assumed that the government would need time to verify and experiment with his ideas before they progress in making it a workable project. Lorimer assumed that if his ideas passed all the appropriate checks, that further negotiations would ensue over contracts and compensation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-03
John H. Lorimer is willing to disclose the methods he discovered which will allow “aerial ships” be used as military weapons to compel peace from enemies. However, Lorimer is only willing to share his plans with the United States government if he will be rightfully compensated and retain any appropriate rights as deemed under the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt asks Cecil A. Grenfell if he can have lunch next Friday at his office. While Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is doing better, he does not want to entertain at Sagamore Hill. He returns the letter from Grenfell’s brother regarding the French maneuvers. Roosevelt comments on the German use of the cavalry during their maneuvers and admits their artillery is immeasurably superior. He recently had a report on Germany’s use of airplanes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt replies to Captain Mahan and agrees that the “flying squad was looked upon with hysterical anxiety by the Northeast and its representatives in Congress.” If Mahan is near Oyster Bay, Roosevelt would like to have lunch with him to discuss the requests made for extra protection in coastal regions of “strategic importance.” He arranged to send them a Civil War monitor with 21 New Jersey militia to Portland, Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
General Wotherspoon wishes he had received General Barry’s letters before departing as he had time to visit Theodore Roosevelt and get his message to Emperor William II. He will inform William II of Roosevelt’s request and will send Roosevelt a paper on airplanes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-17
General Wotherspoon received Theodore Roosevelt’s letters from General Thomas Henry Barry regarding personal messages to German Emperor William II about airplanes. He would have visited Roosevelt before sailing to discuss the matter but will explain Roosevelt’s intentions to the Emperor. Wotherspoon is particularly interested in the military use of airplanes and will have his paper on the subject sent to Roosevelt. He will share his observations of the airplane maneuvers upon his return in October.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-17
William S. Cowles loved President Roosevelt’s letter about William H. Taft and has recently heard that Roosevelt will likely help Taft win Kentucky. He is intently watching the aeroplane and makes suggestions for utilizing the the Washington Monument to speed up the process of building the new station in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14