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Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about his diplomatic activities and assures him that he has been keeping Secretary of State Elihu Root in the loop. Reid suspects that the Russians and Germans are trying to get an American diplomat to make a statement regarding disarmament, so they can better position themselves at the upcoming Peace Conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-18
Theodore Roosevelt, as Hercules, wears a lion skin and holds a sword. He faces a nine-headed hydra, with each head identified as that of a senator. The hydra’s tail is labeled “U.S. Senate.”
In an earlier time, such as when this cartoon in Puck appeared, average people were conversant with elements of Western intellectual heritage like Greek mythology. The contextual background of this political cartoon by J. S Pughe might have been evident to many readers in 1905. In one of ancient Athens’ most durable myths, the Second Task of Hercules was to conquer the multi-headed monster Hydra.
President Roosevelt writes about who Major Wadsworth should invite to a dinner. Potential guests include Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, and Senator Albert J. Beveridge, among others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-17
President Roosevelt passes a message from Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon to Ambassador Reid, and asks that Mrs. Inman appear at court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
President Roosevelt takes issue with some criticisms that Lincoln Steffens has made of his efforts to get Congress to ratify the Santo Domingo treaty. He points out that several Democrats are opposing the treaty merely to be obstructionist, rather than because of an honest difference of opinion. In contrast, Roosevelt believes that there is more room for honest differences in opinion in the railroad rate bill. Steffens’s idea that Roosevelt should refuse to make any concessions and to let the voters decide who is correct in the next election is flawed. Roosevelt cites evidence of voters supporting men who are on two sides of the same issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-05
President Roosevelt complains to Lyman Abbott about a number of matters that are being affected by partisanship. In particular, he is upset about partisan opposition to two of his nominations: Franklin K. Lane to the Interstate Commerce Commission and Joseph Bucklin Bishop as Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission. He is also frustrated that Democratic Senators are blocking the ratification of the Santo Domingo treaty “on mere partisan grounds,” and would normally favor the treaty if he were not a Republican president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-14
President Roosevelt tells John K. Johnston that the present plan for a commission comes from Georgia Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon and is “idiotic” and “admirably calculated to interfere with the efficiency of the work.” Roosevelt’s own idea is to have an executive head the commission in a position similar to A. J. Cassatt holds at the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-24
In response to a “extraordinary statement” in William Randolph Hearst’s paper, President Roosevelt tells Joseph Bucklin Bishop that although he is fond of his uncle Robert Barnwell Roosevelt, they rarely agree on politics. Roosevelt did not make a statement that he did not intend to accept the nomination for a third term as president without thinking it over, and he stands by his decision even though it is causing him trouble in the Senate. Roosevelt complains about the inability of the Senate to ratify his San Domingan treaty. Efforts from both Democratic Senators and Republicans Eugene Hale and John C. Spooner derailed the treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-23
On the occasion of his recent inauguration, President Roosevelt sends his reflections on the accomplishments of his first term in office and the challenges of his second term, along with a description of the inauguration itself. Secretary of State John Hay gave Roosevelt a ring with a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair in it, which he wore while taking the oath of office, sharing his thoughts about Lincoln and how he tries to live up to Lincoln’s example. Roosevelt describes the various groups of people who participated in the inaugural parade, including cowboys, Indians, veterans of several wars, civic organizations, coal miners, farmers, and more. Roosevelt describes current domestic and international challenges. In the English-speaking countries, Roosevelt finds the divisions between rural and city dwellers to be of concern, as well as the dwindling birth rate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-09
President Roosevelt corrects and suggests changes to Lyman Abbott’s letter about which senators are holding the treaties up in committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-31
President Roosevelt shares with Lyman Abbott how frustrated he is with the Democratic senators who are holding up the treaties, especially Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-28
Judge Speer requests assistance for Cecil Morgan, a long time deputy clerk at a circuit court in Georgia. Morgan is Speer’s brother-in-law and under new regulations Morgan will be forced to retire due to their familial ties. Speer hopes that President Taft will lend his support for the relief of Morgan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-12
William N. Colquitt is pleased to hear that Theodore Roosevelt has accepted the position of honorary chairman for the Stewart-Screven Midway Monument Commission. He encloses a photograph of the monument as it will appear when completed, should it be approved by the War Department and Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon is working out the inscriptions with the Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-30
Frederic J. Paxon, as president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, asks Theodore Roosevelt for support in stopping the federal government from closing down the Department of the Gulf which is headquartered in Atlanta. Paxon and other Atlanta residents worry about the loss of prestige and money were the city to lose a portion of their officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-20
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on his unsuccessful efforts to locate Charlotte Berkeley Coles, an American socialite hoping to be presented at Court in London. Reid notes that many women making this request neglect to leave an address where they can be reached.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-29
Attorney General Bonaparte provides legal advice for Secretary of the Navy Metcalf regarding the transportation of coal for the Navy from Atlantic to Pacific ports. Bonaparte finds that the prohibitions Metcalf mentioned do not apply to property owned by the government, and that coal for the Navy can be transported on foreign vessels if sufficient American vessels cannot be contracted or if they can only be had for an exorbitant price.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-03
Minister Egan thanks President Roosevelt for appointing him Minister to Denmark. He is delighted by the news and is glad that everyone speaks of Roosevelt so kindly. Wittily, Egan is divided between feelings of gratitude and regret because of how many people are excited about him leaving the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-22
Henry White received President Roosevelt’s letter but has waited until reaching Rome to answer it. White’s views on disarmament were sent in a confidential letter through the British Embassy’s dispatch bag. He has omitted any reference to Roosevelt’s observations about the German emperor although he has borrowed some of Roosevelt’s phraseology. White writes that Roosevelt’s action in Cuba was met with “universal admiration.” White saw the Chilean minister yesterday who said that Elihu Root’s visit there brought great comfort and was epoch making. Other topics in the letter include the German and Jesuit influence in the Vatican and the reputation of the emperor as an influencer, and White’s visit with the King of Italy and their discussion of new literacy-based immigration laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Senator Lodge praises President Roosevelt’s letter. Lodge thinks Speaker Cannon’s speech on the labor issue was courageous, and he deserves to have them stand by him. Lodge has seen indicators that Charles E. Littlefield will win, which he thinks will have a great influence for good throughout the country. Lodge has written to Attorney General Moody that the Republican party ought to draw its platform in exact accord with Roosevelt’s letter. Henry Melville Whitney, Eugene Foss, and the Boston Herald are pressuring Governor Guild to come out for present revision and against Roosevelt, which Lodge thinks would be a foolish thing to do. Lodge feels that the Republicans should all unite on Roosevelt’s letter. John B. Moran is apparently going to carry off the Democratic nomination, and Lodge thinks this will lead to a nasty personal campaign in which Republican union will be all-important.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
Shelby M. Cullom informs Theodore Roosevelt that the Committe on Foreign Relations will report the Algeciras Treaty to the Senate on December 5 and voting for ratification will take place on December 12. Cullom also reports that the Committee ratified the convention providing for an International Institute of Agriculture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-27