Your TR Source
President Roosevelt requests confirmation on his understanding of the status of H. L. Eca da Silva and his wife, Dr. Yamei Kin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-01
President Roosevelt regrets that he does not have the power to make Yamei Kin an American citizen. He has no power over H. L. Eca da Silva as he has resigned from his position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-04
President Roosevelt thanks L. W. Hellrung for the photograph of Hellrung’s sister’s family. Roosevelt is proud of them as “American citizens” and sends his best wishes to her and her family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-11
President Roosevelt praises E. W. Bloomingdale’s letter, calling him a “good, straight American.” Roosevelt believes that Bloomingdale would stop the oppression of Christians if he could, just as he would if it were a Jew. Roosevelt would be ashamed of himself if he did not act in the same way.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-24
President Roosevelt was pleased with Henry Means Pindell’s letter and values when good citizens, without respect to party, regard his actions “as a good citizen should act.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-24
President Roosevelt is pleased that Arthur von Briesen approves of his speech. Roosevelt also tries to support a despondent Brieson on his “Americanism” particularly that a person’s place of birth is irrelevant. Along with Jacob Riis, Roosevelt often uses Briesen as the “types of what true Americans should be.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-03
William T. Hornaday agrees with James E. West’s newspaper comments about former Chief Scout Ernest Thompson Seton. Hornaday believes that someone who holds such negative opinions of the United States should not lead an organization of American children, and he regrets that Seton is reviving the Woodcraft League of America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-08
Allen M. Hiller asks Theodore Roosevelt to give a lecture at the New Haven University Extension Centre, offering flexible dates, a warm welcome, and emphasizing the positive impact his visit would have on the community and the program.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Secretary of War Stimson sends Theodore Roosevelt his annual report, which includes points on Army organization, prison management, and the organization of the Panama Canal, among other topics. He is taking advantage of Roosevelt’s suggestion to apply to the Outlook for help. Stimson and his wife, Mabel Wellington White Stimson, plan to be on Long Island on December 17 and hope to call on Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, in particular.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-09
W. S. Boyd, a long-time reader of The Outlook and a current British citizen, asks Theodore Roosevelt for information and advice on naturalization. He previously objected to taking the oath of citizenship, but after five years in the country, he wants to become a citizen of the United States of America, even if the price is taking an “objectionable” oath. However, while attempting to file his papers, Boyd learned of the “unreasonable and unnecessary delay” of two more years and ninety days. He wants to know why a well-informed individual, such as himself, has to wait so long to become naturalized and be able to vote. Other immigrants who “blindly” sign a petition can then, similarly, “blindly” vote after only five years. Boyd asks if there is any way he can become a citizen and vote before 1914.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
Edward J. Ward sends Theodore Roosevelt an editorial about the importance of citizenship organization and hopes he can write and send a statement for presentation at the First National Conference on Civic and Social Center Development since Roosevelt cannot attend the meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-16
James E. West thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his message on practical citizenship, which will be published in the Boy Scout Manual. West will send Roosevelt a copy when it is printed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-22
Frederick F. Purdy sends Theodore Roosevelt materials demonstrating “a splendid initiation of the newly-naturalized people of Rochester into American citizenship.” Roosevelt’s addresses have inspired Purdy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-18
Gabriel Ezzo wishes to discuss Free-Masonry with Theodore Roosevelt face-to-face. Additionally, he would like to discuss organizing a club for immigrants in the United States. Ezzo foresees the club helping immigrants gain citizenship and would do so following Republican Party ideals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-16
Otto Reinhold admires Theodore Roosevelt, and particularly regards Roosevelt’s opinion that “it did not matter where a man came from as long as he was a law abiding citizen.” Reinhold shares his life story of immigrating to the United States and raising a family, and sends Roosevelt a poem he wrote reflecting the emigrant experience.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-06
To ensure the country’s future prosperity, John Nill discusses his ideas for a necessary national citizenry education program with Theodore Roosevelt. He proposes that the right to vote and hold office be contingent upon graduation, not birth, ensuring that only the properly educated manage the government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-27
Raymond Patterson effusively thanks President Roosevelt for writing him. He found the letter particularly moving because he received it while in a hospital bed. Patterson says that as president Roosevelt has cultivated new ideals of citizenship, in addition to his tangible achievements in government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-28
Jacob Riis tells President Roosevelt how fine Secretary of State Elihu Root’s speech was. Riis thinks it will “put ginger into” the campaign. Riis also tells Roosevelt about the hopeful comments a “little Jewish girl” made after seeing one of Roosevelt’s campaign posters. Riis hopes Roosevelt can see what he means to immigrants like her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-02
John Leland offers President Roosevelt praise and congratulations following Roosevelt’s re-election win. Leland highlights Roosevelt’s service to the American people and his patriotism while praising the American citizenship for forgetting party ties and voting “as Americans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-09
Charles Evans Hughes thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter. Hughes is going into the New York gubernatorial campaign “inspired by your example and supported by good citizenship irrespective of party.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27