Bigelow, William Sturgis, 1850-1926

President Roosevelt has received much of the news from William Sturgis Bigelow, and wanted to write a quick letter to Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge to praise how Henry Cabot Lodge handled the work at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt enjoyed having the Lodges to dinner, and comments about the pleasant weather that Washington, D.C., has been having recently. He does “not believe any one else has ever enjoyed the White House” as he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have enjoyed it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt advises his son Theodore Roosevelt to schedule his eye operation now ahead of the Easter holiday, suggesting he stay with Dr. William Sturgis Bigelow or his Aunt Rosie for several days afterwards. He updates Roosevelt Jr. on Archie’s condition and how the rest of the children are doing.  In a postscript, Roosevelt believes it would be better for Roosevelt Jr. to stay at a hospital for a few days following the operation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

After talking to Dr. Morgan, President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt believe it is best that Ted has his eye surgery as soon as possible, preferably within the next two months. He recommends that Ted either have the surgery right away, so his mother can come to Boston for it, or wait until after Kermit’s holiday trip on the Mississippi River. The next time he sees Ted, he would like to discuss several college matters with him and hopes he will take up the course at Prospect Union.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt discusses his upcoming Harvard visit with his son Ted, who is considering moving for the coming school year. Roosevelt believes Ted should move into a boarding house outside campus, where he could better enjoy Cambridge’s social life, and save on rent. If Ted will accompany his father to Riverside Press and Chestnut Hill, they can have time to talk during the drive there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt explains the details of his planned visit to Boston, Cambridge, and Chestnut Hill to Guy Murchie and asks for advice about the time needed between stops. Roosevelt also asks Murchie to work out the details with William Sturgis Bigelow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is glad that all danger surrounding Charlotte Howe Johnson Guild’s illness is now over and will let Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt know. He has arranged for Sturgis Bigelow to host Frank Lowell and Governor Guild for breakfast in Boston, and Roosevelt will lunch with his son and friends in Cambridge. As Roosevelt’s visit to Province town is a regular state visit, Guild can advise Roosevelt of his duties while there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt apologizes to Baron Kaneko for failing to reply to his “very courteous letter.” Roosevelt sometimes shares his letters from “Japanese friends” with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow, and perhaps it was not returned to Roosevelt in order to make a timely and appropriate reply. Roosevelt treasures the armor given to him by Emperor of Japan Meiji stating “it will be an heirloom for my children’s children.” Roosevelt wishes the Baron and his family well and shares news about his children and other current affairs. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for the letter regarding Assistant Secretary of the Treasury James Burton Reynolds, and promises to not pay any heed to action taken against him. Roosevelt wishes action could be taken against Massachusetts District Attorney John B. Moran, who is undertaking a politically motivated investigation of Reynolds. Roosevelt compares Moran with William Travers Jerome of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt about some goings-on at the White House, including a sprained ankle and a visit from George Kennan. Roosevelt is pleased by Kermit’s decision to stay in Groton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt complains to C. Grant La Farge about one of the fireplaces at Sagamore Hill smoking, and hopes that something can be done about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt encloses a letter in which Charles Lang Freer has offered to bequeath his art collections to the Smithsonian Institution or United States Government, along with $500,000 to construct or secure a building suitable to house the art. Roosevelt suggests having the collection examined by William Sturgis Bigelow or John LaFarge if there are any doubts about its value. Freer makes this offer with certain conditions which Roosevelt believes are reasonable. Roosevelt urges Chief Justice Fuller, who is also the Chancellor of the Smithsonian, to accept the gift on behalf of the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is going to try and get Secretary of State Elihu Root and Joseph Hodges Choate to come to Sagamore Hill when Senator Lodge will be there. He tells Lodge about the current situation in the Government Printing Office, where Francis Wayland Palmer was removed from his position and Roosevelt is trying to decide on a replacement. He also discusses the current unrest in Japan and tells Lodge that he has instructed Root to deal with the Newfoundland matter “as soon as possible.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

In light of Senator Lodge’s campaign commitments, President Roosevelt says he does not need to go to Oyster Bay to meet with Joseph Hodges Choate. Roosevelt hopes that Curtis Guild’s gubernatorial race in Massachusetts goes well. He discusses the current unrest in Japan, where foreigners and Christians are being targeted in riots.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

A. Lawrence Lowell suggests Theodore Roosevelt dine with him the same night he spends with William Sturgis Bigelow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-25

Creator(s)

Lowell, A. Lawrence (Abbott Lawrence), 1856-1943

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-03-17

Creator(s)

Bates, Oric, 1883-1918

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

Secretary of the Navy Meyer tells Theodore Roosevelt what he and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge did after Roosevelt left following William H. Taft’s inauguration. Meyer signed papers reversing an order that former Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry had Roosevelt sign. He explains his reasoning; mainly, the Senators from Louisiana were unhappy with it, and Meyer believes he can carry out most of what was in the order without an Executive Order being issued.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-08

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

Senator Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow have recovered the coin that President Roosevelt sent. Lodge thinks it is a great success. Lodge clarifies the situation regarding Boston Surveyor of the Port Jeremiah J. McCarthy. McCarthy opposes the installation of Moses B. Mann as Deputy Surveyor and feels that he should be able to choose the man to fill the position because he worked for William H. Taft. Lodge discusses the election and says that he wants Charles Evans Hughes to be elected New York governor. He believes that the situation for Republicans is good, both nationally and in Massachusetts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge is glad to hear President Roosevelt’s outlook on the upcoming elections. He has heard from Thomas J. Akins in Missouri that the Republicans have a good chance of carrying that state. Lodge also feels that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s speeches out West have been helping the ticket. William Sturgis Bigelow has not acknowledged Roosevelt’s letter because the coin has not arrived yet. Lodge also discusses the situation in Europe. He warns Roosevelt that if Jeremiah J. McCarthy, Surveyor of the Port of Boston, appeals to him to appoint a Deputy Surveyor, he should get the facts from Reynolds before acting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-09

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Justice Holmes has no suggestions to contribute to the letter he agrees with. He did not know that Henry Adams was a judge of Oriental art. He notes a change that Charles Lang Freer has made to a proposition about his art collection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-18

Creator(s)

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr., 1841-1935

Justice Holmes is neutral but his “boss” supports President Roosevelt’s decision. He also jokes about a suggestion from Senator Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow. Original and typewritten copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-19

Creator(s)

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr., 1841-1935