Bryce, James Bryce, Viscount, 1838-1922

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Susan Dexter Dalton Cooley

Theodore Roosevelt considers G. Lowes Dickinson as a dreamer who “treats facts as irrelevant to the work of life.” International peace must be backed by an international force on the basis that “might shall be put behind right.” An international force is not possible until the “civilized states” guarantee to use force against recalcitrant states. The United States could have taken an important step by acting on behalf of Belgium’s neutrality but President Wilson did not take this step and pacifists cheered him for this “treachery to the cause of peace.” Dickinson is damaging his cause by basing it on false grounds. Roosevelt argues that all nations are not equal and making believe they are will only create “far-reaching harm.” Mankind has benefited from European colonization, and treating the natives as equal to white colonists will lead to the death of all colonists and many natives. Dickinson strives for much that is right but will remain utterly powerless.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. G. Stewart

Theodore Roosevelt wishes he could attend the dinner for British Ambassador James Bryce, who was an ambassador to the American people, not just the government. In his speech, he performed the “marvelous feat” of uniquely convincing of his affection and regard while doing good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

Theodore Roosevelt admits to Edward Norton Buxton that he never expected to win the election, but wanted to beat the Republicans, which he did. He does not want another position of prominence, but will continue to fight for Progressive principles. While he will miss British Ambassador to the United States, James Bryce, he looks forward to Cecil Spring Rice becoming ambassador. He hopes that the war in the Balkans will push Turkey out of Europe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Viscount Grey for his letter and sympathizes with his party’s political situation. Roosevelt has no regrets about losing the 1912 presidential election but worries not seizing the current opportunity to fight for social and industrial justice will have negative ramifications in the future. Changing topics, Roosevelt writes to Viscount Grey about the need to fight on heroically after an attempted assassination, recounting his own story about finishing his speech. Finally, Roosevelt is relieved that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice is looking like the man likely to succeed Ambassador Bryce.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson

President Roosevelt sends word to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson that he will be leaving public office in “a rather stormy fashion,” being attacked by both houses of Congress and by the press. James Bryce has remarked that bringing libel cases against the biggest two offenders in newspapers will be a service to the American public. Bryce and John Morley suggested Roosevelt make a statement about the British in India, which he plans to do presently. Some of Roosevelt’s English friends sent him a rifle for use on his African safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt is glad the furor over the results of some of the Olympic games is dying down, and specifically remarks on the results of the marathon. Additionally, Roosevelt explains to Ambassador Reid the situation surrounding a newspaper interview with German Emperor William II. William Bayard Hale petitioned the White House to help with gaining admission to the Kaiser, which was refused, but persisted in getting access. The resulting interview spoke on a number of sensitive matters and “lookt like a pipe dream,” and while Roosevelt believed it was accurate, advised the New York Times not to publish it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sydney Brooks

President Roosevelt is planning to take Sydney Brooks’ advice in describing the British attitude in India in an upcoming speech. He liked Brooks’ article, and is pleased that he is going to write another one. Roosevelt appreciated Brooks’ praise of his achievements in office, but highlights what he believes are his greatest achievements while in the presidency, including increasing the size of the navy, the construction of the Panama Canal, the creation of forest reserves, and the involvement of the United States in international affairs to promote world peace. He encloses several volumes of his Presidential addresses and State papers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Fairfield Osborn

President Roosevelt thanks Henry Fairfield Osborn for the efforts he took to help Roosevelt edit his Romanes lecture. He comments on the topic of races and racial mixing, raised by several prominent anthropologists, as well as Osborn himself. Roosevelt is somewhat intimidated by the importance that Osborn has said that his lecture will carry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells his son Ted about some of the adventures of Ted’s little brother Quentin Roosevelt. Quentin, Roosevelt says, “takes with the utmost philosophy alterations of grandeur and of the life of a small street mucker,” and describes Quentin’s trip to get a pig for Thanksgiving dinner. British Ambassador James Bryce spoke with Roosevelt recently, and approves of Ted’s ambition in going to work, rather than living a life of leisure. After leaving the presidency Roosevelt plans to still live a busy life and continue working as long as he can.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur von Briesen

President Roosevelt tells Arthur von Briesen that he will see Briesen’s son and daughter-in-law tomorrow. Roosevelt is also going to see James Bryce next Tuesday, and promises to tell him about Briesen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Reid if he would be able to petition Lord Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes to write to officials in Uganda that Roosevelt would appreciate being given a guide and information that would allow him to hunt a white rhinoceros or elephant. The current unrest in India concerns Roosevelt, and asks what the feelings of British officials are towards it. Roosevelt also remarks briefly on his plans to leave immediately after William H. Taft’s inauguration as president, and comments on a controversy that arose at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, which is still fostering some resentment between the two nations. If Roosevelt can secure a third specimen of the white rhinoceros, he would be happy to send it to the British Museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sydney Brooks

President Roosevelt sends Sydney Brooks a copy of a letter he wrote to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge accurately predicting the outcome of the recent presidential election. He is greatly amused to hear about the reaction of the British press to his involvement in the campaign of president-elect William H. Taft, and briefly comments on American politics. Roosevelt is glad to be joining the staff of The Outlook after leaving the presidency, and is looking forward to his safari, which he has received a great deal of help planning from his British friends. He is sorry to learn that a number of American papers have been attacking Britain for its rule over India, and says that he believes that while there have been faults committed, it is nevertheless “one of the mighty feats of civilization.” He also notes that some British papers have criticized the United States for its work in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gilbert Murray

President Roosevelt has heard that Gilbert Murray accepted an appointment at the University of Oxford, and wanted to write to say how much he enjoyed Murray’s The Rise of the Greek Epic and classical translations. He intends to visit Oxford in a little over a year, and hopes to see Murray then. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Ford Rhodes

President Roosevelt invites James Ford Rhodes and his wife to lunch on December 29 at 1:30. He will invite British Ambassador James Bryce, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, and Supreme Court Justices William H. Moody and Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt believes that President-Elect Taft’s sweeping victory proves that, with the possible exception of New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, he was the only Republican who could have defeated William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Taft at the White House, and will invite Secretary of State Elihu Root to visit them. They will discuss what to do about finding away to oppose Joseph Gurney Cannon as Speaker of the House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Ford Rhodes

President Roosevelt thanks James Ford Rhodes for his letter and invites him to dine at the White House. He offers to invite James Bryce, Secretary of State Elihu Root, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He encloses a note written by “a very good fellow” from Maryland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-06

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Responding to a letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee, President Roosevelt notes that A. Maurice Low was blacklisted from access to the White House or other governmental agencies after he printed slanderous material. Roosevelt is surprised that Fabian Ware keeps Low on the staff of London’s Morning Post. Roosevelt agrees to have Fülöp László paint his portrait. Roosevelt also informs Lee about international relations between the United States and Canada, particularly with reference to immigration from Japan. He recounts discussions he has had with William Lyon Mackenzie King on this subject, and what the position of the United States is on the matter–namely, that working class Japanese immigrants should be kept out of English-speaking countries, and that working class immigrants from English-speaking countries should be kept out of Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt is pleased that Senator Lodge’s son, John Ellerton Lodge, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Roosevelt was also pleased with Secretary of State Elihu Root’s reception at Harvard’s commencement and has sent Lodge’s letter to him. Finally, Roosevelt says he likes James Bryce, but is amused by the “deification” of him by the Mugwumps.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

President Roosevelt shares his thoughts on various topics with Cecil Spring Rice. Roosevelt is planning to swap foreign assignments between John B. Jackson and Richmond Pearson, mentioning that Pearson had trouble with missionaries in Persia. While Jackson has done well as Minister to Greece, Roosevelt does not approve of his strong pro-Russia feelings. Roosevelt thinks the Russian people are good, and feels badly that they oscillate between despotism and anarchy. Roosevelt is interested in what Spring Rice says about the movement of Islam in Persia toward more tolerance, and gives his opinion about progress in Islamic countries in relation to Buddhism and Shinto. The violent incidents in San Francisco towards Japanese immigrants concerns Roosevelt. Roosevelt thinks everyone should be in favor of peace and temperance, but he feels professional advocates of both talk a lot without ever getting anything done. At home, Roosevelt is trying to keep a balance between plutocrats and labor unions. Roosevelt hopes to see Spring Rice and his wife soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01