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President Roosevelt instructs Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry to ensure there is enough coal for the Great White Fleet’s trip, and says the Bureau of Equipment is “on trial in this matter.” He likes the idea of “having one first-class man. . .represent all the newspapers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
President Roosevelt believes James B. Connolly is the ideal candidate to accompany the Atlantic Fleet as a journalist representing all newspapers. However, before promising anything, he must first consult with Admiral Willard H. Brownson and Admiral Robley D. Evans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry’s letter helped President Roosevelt better understand the situation. Roosevelt believes the best itinerary for the Great White Fleet to follow is through the Straits of Magellan and returning through the Suez Canal, but he seeks advice from the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Admiral Willard H. Brownson. Roosevelt also believes several reporters should accompany the fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-10
President Roosevelt directs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry to return the memorandum to the General Board of the Navy, saying he approves all of it except for the point about dividing the fleet. Naval history and the recent Russo-Japanese War illustrate the dangers of splitting forces to protect multiple strategic points. Roosevelt wants the Atlantic Fleet to remain a singular unit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-06
President Roosevelt asks Senator Lodge if the enclosed document is alright and gives him permission to change anything he believes should be changed. He condemns a few newspapers for their invention of disunity among himself, Lodge, Secretary of War William H.Taft, and Senator Winthrop Murray Crane.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-22
This article includes pictures from President Roosevelt’s naval review of vessels in the United States Navy from September 2, 1906, to September 4, 1906.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-09
President Roosevelt, the Secretary of the Navy, two admirals, and the Presidential secretary during a Naval review
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-09-28
President Roosevelt believes that Albert L. Key’s main objections to his plan for the administration of the Navy stems from the fact that officers eligible for positions are too old. Roosevelt would like to promote younger men to higher grades in the Navy, but his experience attempting this in the Army has made it clear that he cannot successfully do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-10
President Roosevelt protests a recent editorial in The Outlook, and tells Lyman Abbott that it condoned mutinous and insubordinate conduct in the Navy by defending Admiral Willard H. Brownson. He quotes a letter he received from General Grenville M. Dodge on the topic of Brownson’s resignation. Dodge opines that Roosevelt should have insisted Brownson obey the order and if he refused to then court-martial him instead of just accepting his resignation. Roosevelt explains why he did not follow this course, but says that this may have set a precedent for rampant insubordination in the armed forces, which The Outlook has not helped.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-17
Although it is possible that President Roosevelt should have taken the stand General Dodge suggested in his letter, he did not. This is for two reasons. First, during his service, General Willard H. Brownson performed admirably. Second, Brownson is retired, and the public views the conduct of retired officers differently than the conduct of active officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-08
President Roosevelt writes to the New York Tribune editor regarding the article titled “Honorable Retirement” about former Chief of the Bureau of Navigation Willard H. Brownson. Roosevelt finds it inexcusable that they published a piece praising Brownson’s conduct when he has been completely discredited by his spiteful insubordination. It was not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of his behavior, that is the problem, and he has been disloyal to the Navy and the Nation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-26
President Roosevelt sends Admiral Dewey a note from Albert L. Key, Roosevelt’s naval aide. Roosevelt requests to look at a letter Dewey received from Willard H. Brownson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-02
President Roosevelt tells Senator Penrose that he is doubtful that a battleship could properly be used to transport the body of founding father James Wilson, as Mr. Konkle inquired about, and explains why one was used to transport the body of John Paul Jones. He promises, however, to ask Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. In a postscript, Roosevelt explains that he has spoken with Bonaparte, who informed him that the cruiser Pennsylvania is currently undergoing repairs, and will then head to the Philippines. Roosevelt reiterates that “it does not seem to me appropriate to use the navy for a civilian even as great as James Wilson,” but promises that the government will give him every honor it appropriately can.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-26
President Roosevelt believes he must have expressed himself poorly to Representative Edward B. Vreeland if Admiral Willard H. Brownson’s feelings were hurt by the letter. He explains to Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte that he was concerned more with the legislation and differentiation between the cases of hazing than he was with what had been done at the Naval Academy in the past. Roosevelt tells Bonaparte that he thinks highly of Brownson, and would like to see him succeed Admiral George Albert Converse in the Bureau of Navigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-26
William Loeb encloses the requested letter of introduction to Captain Brownson from President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-11
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt assures Richard Rush that he will do what he can but reminds him that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long likely will not give heed. He hopes Rush will write an article on the attack against the pirate ships, and he could try to get it published. Roosevelt asks Rush to write to the Cleveland Militia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-20
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Madison Grant and explains that Van Gotzen is going to Canada with Captain Willard H. Brownson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-18
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to William S. Cowles that he is not involved in those matters. Still, he will forward the application to the Bureau of Navigation with his endorsement. He enjoyed being with the fleet and learned a lot. Cowles is correct about the fleet moving compactly and swiftly. Therefore, Roosevelt will do what he can to keep it together. He agrees about the torpedo boats, but members of the Herreshoff family are difficult to work with, and the ships they build are undependable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-17
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt cannot tell French Ensor Chadwick about Spain. While things look “very ominous,” he doubts anything will happen. Roosevelt assures Chadwick that he will do what he can to ensure Chadwick, Willard H. Brownson, and C. H. Davis get ships should war happen. He thinks it a good thing to get the editor of the Engineering News before the board.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-17
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Long that he issued the order to Francis T. Bowles and will think over the proposition to abolish the Yards and Docks by merging it with the Bureau of Construction and Repair. He discusses his initial thoughts that the plan is undesirable and comments on the question of dry docks and the matter of torpedo boats. Roosevelt believes sending French Ensor Chadwick to England to learn about naval administration would be beneficial. He will be with the squadron next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-04