Alaska

Ben Lilly describes his hunting adventures to Theodore Roosevelt, noting the names of mountains, valleys, rivers, and canyons in Mexico and New Mexico where he hunts and kills bears and lions. Lilly lists the measurements of the front and hind paws which he uses to track the bears. Lilly is planning to go to Alaska in April and asks if Roosevelt knows of a magazine or paper who would pay for Lilly’s expertise for hunting game in Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-05

Richard P. Keif repeats his earlier request of Theodore Roosevelt to recommend an honest lawyer to help him, having not received a response to his previous letter. Keif placed his stock in the care of a broker who stole the stock and sold it before declaring bankruptcy. Keif does not believe America has honest laws that are followed and has been unable to file charges against the man who robbed him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16

Theodore Roosevelt thanks William Pigott for the information from the Alaska Square Deal League and hopes Pigott saw his articles regarding the need to develop resources in Alaska in a way that protects the interest of the people who live there. Roosevelt is interested in organizations who are working towards this goal, but cannot himself take part in such organizations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

President Roosevelt agrees with Representative McKinley’s comments on the amount of constructive, beneficial legislation accomplished by Congress in the past seven years. He lists specific pieces of legislation that he feels “form a record of substantial legislative achievement in harmony with the best and most progressive thought of our people.” Roosevelt argues that electing William H. Taft will ensure such progress continues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-09

President Roosevelt looks forward to meeting Judge Wickersham and discussing the Alaska Territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

President Roosevelt introduces Albert Bushnell Hart of Harvard University to the representatives in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-23

President Roosevelt regretfully accepts Judge Wickersham’s resignation and wishes him well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

President Roosevelt believes the arguments of Admiral H. N. Manney against sending the naval fleet to the Pacific are absurd. If the arguments were true in a time of peace, they could more readily be applied in the event of war, in which case the United States should resign itself to giving up the Philippines, Hawaii, and Alaska, as well as Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-24

President Roosevelt believes that Judge James Wickersham is to blame for allowing “such a man” as Andrew Holman to remain commissioner, and asks Attorney General Bonaparte if he agrees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-05

President Roosevelt tells Secretary Hitchcock that his order was intended to “withdraw the coal lands from coal entry merely,” and had been fashioned after consulting with Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot and Geological Survey Director Charles D. Walcott. He notes that the ordered has been misinterpreted at some point I the Department of the Interior’s chain of command to forbid all homestead and other land entries, which was not his intent. Roosevelt asks Hitchcock to correct the order so that it only pertains to coal lands in Alaska and other states and territories, and asks him to issue the order to relevant land offices on Monday morning.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-15

Gifford Pinchot is traveling in Alaska and believes their position is correct. It was a mistake to exclude the shore of Controller Bay from the National Forest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-11

Charles Sheldon thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter. Sheldon describes his second book Scribner will publish next spring including several hunting experiences on Pacific Coast Islands and Alaska. Sheldon shares his opinions on Roosevelt’s Concealing Coloration pamphlet and what other’s have written to him about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-03

Secretary of the Interior Walter L. Fisher thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his previous letter and gladly accepts his invitation to lunch. Fisher believes he and Roosevelt share the same views of Alaskan resources and working with The Outlook will allow for the adoption of the necessary legislation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-30

Henry B. Runnalls writes to Theodore Roosevelt about Alaska. From 1897 to 1898, Runnalls was in charge of the postal service of Skagway, Alaska, and worked as a surveyor of the White Pass. Based on his time in the state, Runnalls believes that measures must be taken to ensure the conservation of Alaska’s forests and fisheries. Alaska’s natural resources are an essential asset to the entire United States, and Runnalls is concerned about the “irresponsible class of men” in the state who are attempting to profit from it. He discusses a number of wealthy families and companies vying for control of the land for its coal, timber, and copper riches — and suggests some may not be operating within the law. Runnalls cautions Roosevelt that these “present inhabitants” should not gain control of the state’s government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-25

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-09

Creator(s)

White, John Barber, 1847-1923

Recipient

Baker, Bernard Nadal, 1854-1918

Arthur I. Vorys is glad that William Loeb thinks the “Illinois matter” can be worked out. Vorys includes his thoughts on the Wisconsin situation and believes that a fight against Wisconsin Senator Robert M. La Follette will capture a majority of the delegates as Governor James O. Davidson and Senator Isaac Stephenson will not support him. One poll suggests that 40 percent of Republicans in Wisconsin favor William H. Taft as their first choice, making it an important state to win. Vorys concludes by updating Loeb about Alaska.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-15

United States Army Chief of Staff Bell thanks President Roosevelt for the opportunity to read General Leonard Wood’s correspondence and states that he has always had a high respect for him. Bell agrees with Wood’s letters and orders, particularly one paragraph that highlights a system of military competition used by the French Army with much success. Although Bell would like to see more of this type of competition, he has not advocated for this in the entire Army due to a lack of officers in the United States, as most are stationed overseas. He concludes by informing Roosevelt that he has kept these matters strictly confidential as the president requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-12

Arthur I. Vorys thanks William Loeb for his “prompt reply to my request” relative to the Alaska situation. He will communicate with Delegate Thomas Cale and John G. Heid.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-26

Arthur I. Vorys wants to work on the Alaska matter but will wait to hear if William Loeb has any suggestions. He is glad Loeb is attending the convention and wishes Loeb could have seen the reception Secretary of War William H. Taft received.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-21

Senator Beveridge argues that William Thomas Perkins is the right man for the job of Alaskan governor. The entire Alaskan subcommittee supports Perkins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906