British Columbia

Letter from Richard P. Keif to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Creator(s)

Keif, Richard P., -1943

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt was impressed with the account of a German military attaché in Japan that German Ambassador Sternburg recently sent him, especially in the assessment that racial tensions are driving relations in the Pacific. Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Sternburg and his wife this weekend.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

President Roosevelt tells Spectator editor John St. Loe Strachey that he is embarrassed of the way that former Ambassador Bellamy Storer has behaved in the press as of late, but that he ultimately stands by all sentiments he gave in the letters that have been made public. The president muses on the details surrounding the recent controversy regarding the exclusion of Japanese children from San Francisco schools, as well as his proposed plan for the United States and Japan to keep their laborers out of one another’s countries.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Livingstone F. Dickens

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary acknowledges Livingstone F. Dickens’ letter and explains that since Roosevelt does not know all the circumstances, he should not give his opinion on the matter. Regarding crossing the Canadian border, as an emigrant, Dickens would likely be allowed to bring his personal effects to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-30

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is glad Archie and Quentin were able to see “Sheffield,” referring to Cowles’s son William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. Roosevelt saw his brother-in law Douglas Robinson Thursday and they spoke about what Teddy Roosevelt had done, but Robinson asks they keep the conversation confidential. Roosevelt “cannot overestimate the beauty of the Canadian Rockies” from which he and wife Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt recently returned. Roosevelt is pleased with Will’s success running a Sunday school picnic which he compares to manning a battleship. Roosevelt asks if his sister has read “Ordeal by Battle” by Frederick Scott Oliver.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Bird Grinnell

Theodore Roosevelt writes to George Bird Grinnell to support the admission of Hamilton Fish Jr. to the Boone and Crockett Club.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad that Viscount Lee liked his comments about India. He felt the timing was right given that agitators like James Keir Hardie and William Jennings Bryan are feeding existing discontent in India, Great Britain, and America about the establishment of an Indian republic. Roosevelt agrees with Lee’s argument about the “two-power navy policy,” and does not believe Americans will take offense if Lee frames his reasoning thus. It would be a bad diplomatic decision to make a special exception for America, or any country, because this would give offense to other allies. Roosevelt is worried about the current conflict over Japanese immigration to the United States. He wants to follow a policy that prevents Japanese immigration “with the minimum of friction and the maximum of courtesy,” while also building up the navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Bryan Williams

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Bryan Williams and Mr. Caldwell for their kindness. He would like to visit British Columbia one day, but does not know when he will be able to. Roosevelt plans to go on a safari in Africa after leaving the presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt believes that the enclosures from German ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg prove that the United States would be unwise to not to make preparations for a potential war in the Pacific with Japan. The documents, which he is sending to Secretary of State Root, show that Japan believes it could gain naval supremacy in the event of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Wilfred Laurier

President Roosevelt tells Sir Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, about some discussions that he has had with William Lyon Mackenzie King, along with Secretary of State Elihu Root, Ambassador James Bryce, and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon about the situation in Canada. Roosevelt says that feelings in western Canada are similar to those in California, Oregon, and Washington, and agrees that sending King to London to speak with the government of the British Empire seems wise. Roosevelt thinks it was admirable that they have had these discussions, and says that there is a likelihood of the United States and Canada working together for their own interests, while also behaving honorably towards Japan. Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from Laurier and meeting King, and is pleased about the steps bringing Canada and the United States closer together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad to have received Arthur Hamilton Lee’s letter. He does not need a rest and would rather stay in the fight, but a leader must understand those he serves and maintain their belief in his honesty. He has had to fight against both the mob mentality of the poor and the overwhelming wealth and greed of the powerful. Though his course of action did not cause the panic, it may have hurried its occurrence, and the press, mostly controlled by Wall Street, could sway the public toward William Randolph Hearst or William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt continues striving to “keep the left center together.” There will likely not be any issue with Great Britain, and while issue could arise with Japan, the Pacific states, Australia, and British Columbia feel the same as the United States does. Roosevelt asks Lee to give an introduction to Fülöp Laszlo, the painter, to see if there will he time to have a portrait painted, as Lee requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Root if it would be possible to explain to the Imperial Japanese government that the decision to enact new regulations limiting the number of passports provided for Japanese laborers is an economic one. Roosevelt cites British Columbia, New Zealand, and Australia, which are all British colonies, as having similar policies despite Japan and England’s strong relationship, and hopes that there is a way to maintain current policies without causing diplomatic friction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is glad that Frederick Courteney Selous enjoyed his hunting trip, but is melancholy to realize that the United States has lost so much of its hunting grounds. Roosevelt recalls a few of his own hunting experiences: “I was just in time to see the last of the real wilderness life and real wilderness hunting.” Roosevelt also recommends several books to Selous and provides information about his experience ranching in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-11-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from C. Hart Merriam to Theodore Roosevelt

C. Hart Merriam has a cold, forcing a delay in his visit to Theodore Roosevelt. In the meantime, he will read Roosevelt’s paper on coloration published by The American Museum. While he was in British Columbia, Merriam photographed caribou specimens. Merriam also mentions having visited with several people while he was in British Columbia, including Warburton Pike, Clive Phillips-Wolley, and Marshall Bond.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-07

Creator(s)

Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942

Letter from Livingstone F. Dickson to Theodore Roosevelt

Livingstone F. Dickson asks Theodore Roosevelt for advice regarding whether his children would have better opportunity for advancement if he accepted a position in Missouri compared to his current location in British Columbia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-17

Creator(s)

Dickson, Livingstone F. (Livingstone Fenwick), 1874-1946

Letter from William Kent to Theodore Roosevelt

William Kent discusses his beliefs on the Japanese racial issue in California and sends President Roosevelt an editorial from California Weekly. Kent compares what is happening on the Hawaiian islands to California and is glad that California is not being settled as rapidly as other parts of the country. Kent believes that in matters of Japanese immigrants “distance will best sanctify our traditional friendship for each other.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-29

Creator(s)

Kent, William, 1864-1928

Telegram from Thomas J. O’Brien to Elihu Root

Japanese Ambassador O’Brien has carried out Secretary of State’s Root’s instructions on the matter of Japanese immigration in the United States and Canada. Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Tadasu Hayashi will abide by the new policies Root has set out and will consider new policies that might be put forward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-27

Creator(s)

O'Brien, Thomas J. (Thomas James), 1842-1933

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

With Canadian Member of Parliament Rodolphe Lemieux currently in Japan discussing Canadian policies on Japanese immigration to British Columbia, Secretary of State Root telegraphs the State Department’s recommendations for new regulations on immigration to Ambassador Thomas J. O’Brien rather than mailing them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-19

Creator(s)

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt

Per President Roosevelt’s suggestion, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks sends three memoranda regarding Japanese emigration companies. Although comprised primarily of informant observations, the information is unverified, but Jenks believes it should be easy to obtain more.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-12

Creator(s)

Jenks, Jeremiah Whipple, 1856-1929

Letter from George Kennan to William Loeb

Journalist George Kennan shares his thoughts on the “Japanese question” in San Francisco and its political implications. He feels President Roosevelt’s position on the matter is correct but is not practical. The clamor from labor unions and the “constant fanning of the fire of race antipathy” by the press have created an environment for hostility. McClure’s Magazine did not publish Kennan’s articles on the topic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Creator(s)

Kennan, George, 1845-1924