Boycotts

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ralph M. Easley, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks, and James Bronson Reynolds

President Roosevelt asks Ralph M. Easley, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks, and James Bronson Reynolds to investigate the United States Bureau of Immigration, especially regrading its connection with the Chinese boycott of American goods. He authorizes them to speak with any government employee who has pertinent information and promises protection from retaliation for anyone who speaks the truth.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt informs Secretary of State Root that William Martin confidentially told him that “the Viceroys made no real effort” to stop the Chinese boycott of American goods. Roosevelt believes that the United States will have to speak “pretty sharply” with the Chinese government to resolve the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas C. Friedlander

President Roosevelt tells Thomas C. Friedlander that the cause of the Chinese boycott is unjust and unfair provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act and onerous immigration laws. Roosevelt and the State Department have made reforms in the Bureau of Immigration to help the situation, but the boycott’s root cause cannot be dealt with any further unless Congress passes legislation. He tells Friedlander that members of the Merchants Exchange should lobby their Congressmen to pass such a law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George C. Perkins

President Roosevelt tells Senator Perkins that it is impossible for Secretary of War William H. Taft to do as Perkins suggests. The best way to work against the Chinese boycott of American goods is for organizations to push for the passage of legislation affording Chinese merchants and professionals, among others, the same treatment other nationalities would receive. While laborers can be kept out, Roosevelt insists that other travelers must have their rights guarded, and that any movement such as was started against the Japanese would be foolish.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin B. Odell

While in Yellowstone, President Roosevelt was unaware of correspondence carried out between William Loeb and Daniel I. Elton of the Utah Federation of Labor. Elton requested that Roosevelt avoid traveling over the Union Pacific railroad system as the company is unjust to its employees. Loeb, who was out of contact with Roosevelt, responded that the schedule could not be altered.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

While in Yellowstone, President Roosevelt was unaware of correspondence carried out between William Loeb and Daniel I. Elton of the Utah Federation of Labor. Elton requested that Roosevelt avoid traveling over the Union Pacific railroad system as the company is unjust to its employees. Loeb, who was out of contact with Roosevelt, responded that the schedule could not be altered.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-30

Letter from Leon C. Sutton to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of The Labor World of New York & New Jersey, Leon C. Sutton asks Theodore Roosevelt to write an article for the next edition about arbitration, profit sharing, and other similar business interests. Sutton believes capital and labor working in tandem leads to profitable success in business and strikes, boycotts, and lockouts are destructive forces working against this success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-11

Letter from Emory Speer to Theodore Roosevelt

Emory Speer agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s opinion in The Outlook regarding the interest judges should have in the laboring masses. He sends a copy of his ruling in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers case, which is one of the most pleasing incidents in his long judicial career. Only Roosevelt’s public praise of his work in the chain gang case and the Greene and Gaynor case equals it. Speer wishes Roosevelt safe travels.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-18

Telegram from Lawrence F. Abbott to William Loeb

Lawrence F. Abbott asks William Loeb to send any statement of facts that would help The Outlook provide clear and accurate editorial commentary on the current legal case involving Buck’s Stove & Range Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-24

Letter from William Sturgis Bigelow to Theodore Roosevelt

William Sturgis Bigelow discusses Japanese sentiment toward the United States in the wake of some racial tensions in California. Bigelow suggests that Roosevelt endorse the idea of naturalization for Japanese in the country, because that might instill some goodwill toward the United States in Japan. Bigelow states that a boycott would hurt California, but would “serve her right” in the wake of legislation against “Mongolians.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-25

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Root updates President Roosevelt on several topics, including the Chinese boycott of American products, the change from legation to embassy in Turkey, the customs administration bill’s effect in Germany, issues between Great Britain and Canada, problems with Newfoundland fisheries harassing American fishermen, and issues in Central America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft forwards President Roosevelt two letters that illustrate the current economic conditions in the Philippines. Taft states China is boycotting Filipino products due to the fact that the Philippines now belong to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-24

Report regarding the Canton paper

This report describes an article from a Canton newspaper, detailing meetings taking place to plan a Chinese boycott of American goods in response to the exclusion treaty. The outcome of one meeting is discussed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905

Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt

Jeremiah Jenks writes to President Roosevelt that they must take steps to secure the support of senators and representatives for the policy on Chinese indemnities so that it can be implemented once the boycott ends. Jenks believes this is crucial to repairing relations with China and securing political influence and trade.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-23

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Root proposes wording for President Roosevelt to add in his letter to the San Francisco Merchants Exchange regarding China’s boycott of American goods.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-24

Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt

Jeremiah Whipple Jenks discusses the importance of having an outlined policy regarding the Chinese boycott of American goods before Congress meets.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-13

Letter from Thomas C. Friedlander to Theodore Roosevelt

The Merchants Exchange reviews the status of the boycott of American goods in China and ventures to bring its serious condition to the attention of President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-06

Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt

Jeremiah Whipple Jenks spoke to Secretary of State Elihu Root about the Chinese indemnity and shares his thoughts with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-13

Letter from Elihu Root to William Loeb

Secretary of State Root encloses a dispatch from Minister William Woodville Rockhill with a translation of a Chinese edict regarding the boycott of American goods.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-16

Letter from Elihu Root to William Loeb

Secretary of State Elihu Root encloses a dispatch from Minister William Woodville Rockhill and a proclamation from the Tientsin taotai in regard to the boycott of American products.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-03