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Commissioner Roosevelt writes to congratulate William Woodville Rockhill on becoming Assistant Secretary of State under Secretary Richard Olney. Roosevelt also reveals his concerns over not always agreeing with the Republican Party’s policy.
1896-02-13
President Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt have designated breakfast as their private family meal, and he enjoys spending this time with his children. He looks forward to a favorable result in the upcoming election; Edith has invited the members of the cabinet over on election day to celebrate or mourn the outcome as it happens.
1904-10-18
A huge red flying creature labeled “Wickersham,” holding a fork with webbing in one hand and papers labeled “Trust, Dissolution, Sherman Law, [and] Disintegration” in the other, descends on fleeing crowds of men on a city street, possibly Wall Street.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1911-10-18
Details for the reception of Vajiravudh, crown prince of Siam. Cabinet officers are invited to attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-08
President Roosevelt informs Eliot C. Clarke that he read his letter regarding Angora goats to the Cabinet for their entertainment as well as the edification of Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson and to cheer up Secretary of State John Hay.
1905-06-20
Anna Roosevelt Cowles conveys information about Cabinet appointments given to her by Mr. Reid who believes that President Roosevelt should minimize his intimacy with Leonard Wood. Reid also thinks Roosevelt’s letter on lynching was a “masterpiece.” The Mintos also send messages to Roosevelt. Cowles enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild and asks Roosevelt if he has read it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17
John Davis Long was pleased to see Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson again and recalls the several years they were in the Cabinet together. He wishes President Roosevelt success, “except I hope you will miss fire every time you shoot at one of the poor wild animals of which too few are left.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-27
Postmaster General Payne withdraws his acceptance of President Roosevelt’s invitation to travel to Charleston, South Carolina. He is not yet comfortable with his duties as Postmaster General and must continue to familiarize himself with the department’s situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-01
Leslie M. Shaw has been unable to close matters in Iowa and must delay his arrival in Washington, D.C., by one week. Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage finds this acceptable and Shaw requests President Roosevelt’s views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-10
Sam M. Van Cleave has been busy at work and his wife may have cancer. O. M. Campbell can depend on President Roosevelt being a “gimme Republican” yet sympathetic with the general public and that the majority of Roosevelt’s policies will be the same as the McKinley administration. Van Cleave predicts that Roosevelt will have problems with some cabinet officers, including Secretary of State John Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-24
Seth Low writes to encourage President Roosevelt in the wake of William McKinley’s death. Low hopes Roosevelt will keep the current Cabinet, especially Secretary of State Hay, Secretary of the Treasury Gage, Secretary of the Navy Long, Secretary of War Root, and Secretary of Agriculture Wilson. Low praises Roosevelt’s service as Governor of New York and wishes him the same success as President. Low reminds Roosevelt that he is likely to be judged more by those he appoints than by what actions he takes and that good appointments result in good government and good administration. Low expresses his pleasure that people are now saying that McKinley will be remembered as one of the nation’s great presidents.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-15
Senator Lodge expresses his concern for President Roosevelt’s well being and his confidence in Roosevelt’s abilities in the “greatest office man can now hold on Earth” in the wake of William McKinley’s assassination. Lodge regrets his absence from the nation at such a time, but knows that Roosevelt is surrounded by experienced men who will advise him and approves of Roosevelt’s request that the current Cabinet stay on. Lodge discusses his opinion that John Hay will not remain in public office despite having all the qualities a Secretary of State should have and Elihu Root’s qualifications for the position of Secretary of State. Lodge also assures Roosevelt that he will help him in the Senate if he can and that Roosevelt should call on him whenever he needs assistance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-15
James Bryce planned on writing a longer letter to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt but has been too busy with work. He is glad Roosevelt left the New York Police Department for the federal position. Bryce plans to visit the United States in the fall and hopes to see Roosevelt during his trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-07-07
Edwin Lawrence Godkin is sorry to hear that Theodore Roosevelt left the New York Police Department to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He feels that Roosevelt was doing the greatest work as a police commissioner and was an example to the country’s young men in showing the importance of having a high character in such an important office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-07-07