Colonies--Administration

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David Decamp Thompson

President Roosevelt introduces David Decamp Thompson, assistant editor of The Western Christian Advocate, to his friend Eleanor Franklin Egan. Having spent time in the Philippines, Egan and her husband Martin Egan want to show “the truth of conditions…and the need of the continuance of the present policy” there. Roosevelt feels that publishing Egan’s collection of articles will help the nation understand “what its duty in the Philippines is, and the vital necessity of performing that duty.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David Starr Jordan

President Roosevelt has heard nothing bad about Judge Humphreys except for his temper. He wonders if David Starr Jordan knows of Mr. Sewall or Samuel Parker and how they are viewed by the people of Hawaii. Roosevelt would be extremely grateful if Starr could provide a full statement with reference to “Hawaiian conditions.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald McNichol Stevenson

Before his death, William McKinley appointed Charles Hartzell as secretary of Puerto Rico and Hartzell had accepted. In cases where McKinley had made an appointment but not signed the commission, President Roosevelt has decided to conclude the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Henry Hunt

President Roosevelt intends to give Governor Hunt, William H. Taft, and General Wood a large degree of autonomy in matters dealing with the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. He has written to Senator Hanna and predicts no difficulty with the appointment of Frederic C. Howe. Hunt’s opinion is welcomed on the suggested appointment of Albert D. Elliot as Secretary of State for Puerto Rico. William McKinley’s intention was to appoint Charles Hartzell as Secretary of State, and Roosevelt will continue with this appointment unless Hunt has any objections. Hunt is urged to write with absolute freedom over any appointments or policy issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft disagrees with Bishop Rooker regarding the threat posed by Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente to the Philippine government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-22

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to F. R. Wingate

President Roosevelt will be happy to accept F. R. Wingate’s offer of a boat and guide to take him up the Nile River to Khartoum. He clarifies that he would like permission to shoot in officers’ game reserves only if there are animals there that he cannot get anywhere else. He is particularly interested in shooting elephants and a white rhinoceros, and discusses the timing of trips that may allow him to get them. Roosevelt is also excited to visit the Congo to see Wingate’s administrative accomplishments there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leslie J. Tarlton

Theodore Roosevelt did not criticize the government of East Africa in African Game Trails as he did not think it would do any good. Any government will have disagreeable aspects and these are best pointed out by a fellow countryman. Roosevelt asks if Leslie J. Tarlton has seen Frederick Courteney Selous. He would have sent Selous to the front with the frontiersmen, despite Selous’s age, as he would have provided “first-class service.” If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to serve with his four sons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Cameron Forbes

Theodore Roosevelt understands W. Cameron Forbes’s feelings towards the Philippines and regrets that the United States is unwilling to properly defend the islands. He feels it is pointless to retain the Philippines without taking steps to “defend them against all comers.” President Wilson, William H. Taft, and other pacifists are placing the country in a “position of impotence to perform the work of a great nation.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

Theodore Roosevelt used an extensive quotation from Charles J. Bonaparte in his recently published book, America and the World War. Roosevelt believes the president is responsible for his officials and relates his actions that forced Leslie M. Shaw out of the Treasury Department to avoid a scandal. He compares that situation to Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s letter to Mr. Vick, noting that the ultimate responsibility lies with President Wilson. Roosevelt believes the spoils system is a “capital crime” when dealing with non-American people as the honor of the United States is at stake. Bryan’s letter invites corruption and Roosevelt believes the Wilson administration is “debauching” overseas territories.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. Cameron Forbes

To keep the Philippines, Theodore Roosevelt believes the United States must administer the territory, keep politics out, and maintain the ability to defend the islands. He does not want any promises made to the Filipinos that the United States does not intend to fulfill. Roosevelt is distressed at how Democrats and the Wilson administration have handled the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

Theodore Roosevelt will be able to lunch with Joseph Bucklin Bishop at some point this winter. He appreciates Bishop’s support for his statements on the Philippines. The United States is not doing its duty in the Philippines and the islands are not being effectively defended. Roosevelt describes President Wilson as “shrewd and clever” but also a self-seeker and timid. Nothing of “permanent good” will be done under his leadership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jules Renkin

President Roosevelt thanks the Belgian minister of colonies, Jules Renkin, for the letters he just received. He appreciates the Belgian government’s generosity, and will not abuse their hospitality. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood

President Roosevelt tells General Wood that Evelyn Baring, Lord Cromer, praised Wood’s administration of Cuba as “the most striking and successful of all colonial administration” in recent years.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles E. Magoon

President Roosevelt introduces colonial Governor Magoon to William Eleroy Curtis, who is planning a visit to Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt approves of sending officers to Hawaii to investigate the matter discussed in the memorandum on Governor George Robert Carter’s letter, which he returns to Secretary of War Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Laurence H. Grahame

President Roosevelt was glad to receive Laurence H. Grahame’s letter, and tells him that he feels that Roberto H. Todd, Mayor of San Juan, “made a fool of himself in his testimony.” Roosevelt believes Puerto Ricans are satisfied with the administration, regardless of the newspapers that are making trouble in the island.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Tulio Larrinaga

President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of the letter from Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico Larrinaga, and promises that he wants to do what is best for the island and will speak with Governor Beekman Winthrop regarding the matters Larrinaga raised.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

Bishop Rooker has requested that the bishops’ houses in the Philippines currently controlled by the government be returned. President Roosevelt would like to help the bishops and considers friendly relations with them to be important in “securing good civil government and order and peace.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt introduces Bishop Dougherty, the new bishop of Nueva Segovia. Dougherty is concerned about the failed removal of the friars and the lack of financial resources for American church authorities in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919