Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

The doctrine of expatriation

In this magazine article, John Bassett Moore discusses the concept of expatriation. In the early days of the American republic, the government inherited the idea of “indefeasible allegiance” from English common law, which was maintained for some time. The first Secretary of State to announce the doctrine of expatriation was James Buchanan, who believed it was the duty of America to protect naturalized and native citizens exactly the same. This opinion was not adopted by subsequent secretaries of state until Buchanan was president, and did not become law in the United States until July 1868. Since 1872, the United States has tried to secure naturalization treaties with all countries. Moore concludes his article discussing an incorrect impression about expatriation. Some people believe a declaration of intention to become an American citizen brings about the same protection as a citizen, which Moore firmly states is “altogether erroneous.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12

Our presidents

Souvenir postcard from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition with the phrase “Our Presidents” featuring images of the first twenty-five presidents.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1907

Presidents on parade

Sheet music for “Presidents on Parade,” a patriotic song with lyrics that mention all presidents from George Washington to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1933

Presidents of the United States presidential campaign fan

Hand-held fan with printed music for the presidential campaign of 1908. The front of the fan illustrates all presidents from George Washington through Theodore Roosevelt. Oval photographs at top feature William H. Taft and William Jennings Bryan under the caption “Who’s Next.” The reverse side features a short notation of “The Star Spangled Banner,” arranged by George Braveson, with four verses. The lyrics for the rest of the verses are printed below the notation. The bottom of the fan has two advertisements. The first is an advertisement for Hill & Goodrich, “dealers in Fresh and Salt Meats of every kind.” The second is for “Fish and Oysters in Season. Cash paid for Hides and Skins, Portland St., Morrisville, VT.”

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1908

Our 25 presidents

This color postcard features illustrated portraits and the dates in office of all twenty-five United States presidents through Theodore Roosevelt. George Washington is featured prominently in the center of the postcard.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1901-1909

Our 25 presidents

This black and white postcard features illustrated portraits and the dates in office of all twenty-five United States presidents through Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1901-1909

Our 25 presidents

This postcard features black and white illustrated portraits and the dates in office of all twenty-five United States presidents through Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1901-1909

Our 25 presidents

This postcard features black and white illustrated portraits and the dates in office of all twenty-five United States presidents through Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1901-1909

The Americans choice, 1850-1904

This postcard includes portraits of American presidents who served from 1850 until 1904. The card is light green with a darker green trim and published by Moller, Kokeritz, and Company.

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1906

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Marshall Stimson

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Marshall Stimson’s thoughts on military training. Roosevelt has also been careful to never do President Wilson an injustice when he speaks of him, but believes the criticism must be made.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-10

Speech of Colonel Roosevelt at Carnegie Hall

Theodore Roosevelt speaks about the blunders of the Democratic Party in the war against Germany and how he has aligned himself with a Republican Congress that is pro-war. He also mentions how the Republicans are for peace after victory and unconditional surrender whereas the Democrats are not.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918

A democratic indignation meeting

The ghost of Thomas Jefferson speaks to a gathering of the ghosts of John Tyler, Lewis Cass, James K. Polk, Stephen A. Douglas, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Jackson, William L. Marcy, Samuel J. Tilden, James Buchanan, Martin Van Buren, and John C. Calhoun. Jackson’s right hand rests on a paper that states “Call for Indignation Meeting to Protest Against.” Caption: Shade of Jefferson–And so, gentlemen, in view of the unpatriotic behavior of those professed Democrats in Congress, at a most trying moment in their country’s history, I am regretfully forced to declare that our once glorious party has degenerated, and that the only good Democrats are dead ones.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-03-01

Speech to the Saint Louis City Club

In his speech to the Saint Louis, Missouri City Club, Theodore Roosevelt shares his opinion on public service, describes his own service and he makes the case for social progressivism. Among his examples of public servants, Roosevelt mentions past Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Buchanan, and Franklin Pierce.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-03-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

Theodore Roosevelt will follow Gifford Pinchot’s suggestion on the letter from Max W. Ball. Roosevelt takes umbrage with Henry Cantwell Wallace’s recommendations on discussing military preparedness in Des Moines, Iowa. He says he will stand behind President Woodrow Wilson “precisely to the degree in which Abraham Lincoln stood behind Polk in the Mexican War…” He will stand behind every public servant to the degree in which they serve the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-02-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Frank James

Theodore Roosevelt thanks W. Frank James for the speeches and tells him that he is in agreement with his positions. Roosevelt expresses his support for obligatory military service and also for those who wish to volunteer for military service to fill in the gaps before enacting a draft. He compares President Woodrow Wilson leading the country in war to fighting the Civil War under James Buchanan

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-06-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James D. Phelan

Theodore Roosevelt remembers James D. Phelan and is glad to hear from him. He comments on the “molly-coddling” about peace. Roosevelt thinks true Americans are those like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Ulysses S. Grant. He does not want to be a candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Amidon

Theodore Roosevelt writes about the polar extremes in politics using Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and others as examples.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hartford Beaumont

Theodore Roosevelt responds to a letter from Hartford Beaumont, an attorney in Manila, expressing his disenchantment with the Wilson administration and its approach to international affairs with the Philippines and Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles McCarthy

Theodore Roosevelt tells Charles McCarthy that he does not believe they can give up the Progressive Party, and joining the Republicans under William Barnes would be folly. Roosevelt believes Woodrow Wilson is the worst president since James Buchanan. He thinks the Progressives of Wisconsin are wrong to find fault with candidate George W. Perkins, whose work on the Palisades Interstate Park Commission was “the best practical experiment on the socialization of government…”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clive Phillipps-Wolley

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Clive Phillipps-Wolley for the letter and poem. Roosevelt believes President Woodrow Wilson should have taken action after the invasion of Belgium. If there is war, Roosevelt intends to raise a division and serve with his four sons. Roosevelt praises Canadians for the way “they rallied in the defense of the Empire.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-20