Your TR Source
President Roosevelt asks Louise Holmes Vanderbilt if she and Frederick William Vanderbilt will bring Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan to lunch at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
President Roosevelt has heard that Admiral Francis John Higginson stopped the naval maneuvers to allow Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough, to visit the flagship. If true, Roosevelt desires a report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-01
President Roosevelt has read Ambassador Reid’s speech and plans to use some of Reid’s points for himself. He agrees with Reid that the United States and Great Britain need to remove their difficulties and come to an agreement. Getting a treaty through the Senate has been difficult. Roosevelt approves Reid’s stand on “the poor little Duchess of Marlborough” as he disapproves of international marriages which are not love matches, referring to the recent separation of Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt and Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill. He concludes, “Come, my dear sir, if you won’t admit that Winston Churchill is a cad, surely you don’t object to my considering the Duke of Marlborough one!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a “letter of indiscretions” about English society life and the state of affairs in Europe. First, he reflects upon the precarious and sad position of the German Emperor William II, who keeps making blunders and “plunging from one extravagance to another” in hopes of making people forget about his last mistake by making new ones. Reid fears that some mistakes, like his asking France to apologize for a matter when he had already agreed to arbitration, could lead to war in Europe. Reid also updates Roosevelt about Walter Spencer Morgan Burns’s drinking problem, and the controversy surrounding the separation of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill and Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill. King Edward VII has banned the Marlboroughs from Court until they live together again, but the Duchess is refusing to reconcile. Mrs. Reid’s private secretary, Helen Rogers, is recovering from surgery to remove her appendix. Reid has discussed having an American or Anglo-American Exhibition in a year or two, at the White City in Chicago. Mrs. Reid will be sailing in December to visit her father, but Reid cannot go because the State Department issued a circular instructing all Ambassadors to remain at their posts and not take further leaves of absence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
Ambassador Reid writes Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that there has been no proof produced against the Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill, only “an outburst of envemoned but vague allegations,” which the Duchess denies. Reid believes the stories were inspired either by her husband, the Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, or his family. Reid also tells Roosevelt he has heard privately that King Edward VII is “much enraged at the Duke’s conduct.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-06
Ambassador Reid updates Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on the Marlborough scandal that has rocked the London political and social scene. Rumors are that Duke of Marlborough Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill has given the Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Spencer-Churchill custody of the children, although the Duke disputes this. The ambassadors and others are waiting to see how the King reacts to judge whether or not to receive the Duchess.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-29
Clarence H. Mackay writes to President Roosevelt to arrange a visit with Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-17
The London Times relays reports from its correspondent in America regarding various issues and events in the United States. In particular, the correspondent provides updates on political policies and legislation, as well as events that have happened in Washington, D.C., and between the United States and countries abroad, such as Venezuela and Haiti.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-30