Confidential communications

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt regarding his dinner meeting with English Ambassador Egerton and Egerton’s words about the Russian loan. Meyer then mentions his discussion with the King who anticipates Meyer’s move to Saint Petersburg, Russia. The King foresees Russian conflict over China, shares his bad experience involving his tampered letters in Russia, and describes a case in Saint Petersburg involving an Italian Embassy official being bribed by someone seeking to crack the telegraph code.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-14

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

George B. Cortelyou encloses a confidential communication for President Roosevelt’s review.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-26

Letter from Thomas Goode Jones to William Loeb

Judge Jones encloses a confidential letter that he would like William Loeb to deliver to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-08

Letter from Benjamin Odell to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Odell wrote to President Roosevelt stating a confidential letter was enclosed for his perusal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Kennan

President Roosevelt writes to journalist and explorer George Kennan regarding his article in The Outlook titled “The Sword of Peace in Japan.” He explains that Kennan’s analysis of Japan’s role in the peace agreement is incorrect, and supports his position with confidential facts. Kennan is told that none of the information in the letter is to be made public, but that he may use it to draw more accurate conclusions. Roosevelt explains that he himself did not force Japan into peace, and that he was not interested in boosting his own reputation through the negotiations. Japan willfully asked for the peace agreement, and also for Roosevelt’s involvement. Despite Kennan’s claims, Japan was in no position to demand an indemnity. The cost of the war, both literal and figurative, was too great for Japan to bear, and so they chose to negotiate for peace. They do not want these facts revealed for fear of embarrassment, Roosevelt explains. He supports Japan’s decisions, although he believes they could have fought harder in the agreement for the ownership of the northern half of Sakhalin Island. He quotes a note from Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to support his claims.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-15

Letter from Rafael Reyes to Theodore Roosevelt

President Reyes seeks support from President Roosevelt in reconstructing Colombia. Reyes tells Roosevelt that Colombia has suffered from anarchy and poverty owing to three years of “civil strife and approaching disintegration,” during which a revolution had taken place in Panama, leading to its secession from Colombia. In the five months of his presidency, Reyes has subdued anarchy and closed the “era of savage warfare” in Colombia. Reyes believes Roosevelt helping him to reconstruct Colombia would be an act of simple justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-13

Note on papers of Benjamin F. Montgomery

The attached papers were found in Benjamin F. Montgomery’s desk in an envelope marked “very confidential” upon his dismissal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur B. Farquhar

President Roosevelt tells Arthur B. Farquhar that he can speak with former President Grover Cleveland about their conversation with the understanding that it is to be confidential. Roosevelt wishes the conversation to be confidential because people’s memories can be faulty, and he would like to have some control over what views are ascribed to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

President Roosevelt confides in Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer the reason for Henry Clay Frick’s dissatisfaction, information he learned from Frank B. Kellogg. Frick had requested that Kellogg postpone the trial on the Edward Henry Harriman suit and was “greatly irritated” when Kellogg said that not only was such a postponement impossible but it was also improper for Frick to make the request. Kellogg feels certain that Frick planned to use the time for dealings on the stock market.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1908-07-02

Translation of cablegram from William H. Taft to Luke E. Wright

Secretary of War Taft notifies Governor-General of the Philippines Wright that President Roosevelt wants to appoint Beekman Winthrop as Governor of Puerto Rico. Taft wishes to know if Winthrop will accept and when Winthrop can take up the office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

President Roosevelt hears that Ambassador Meyer is doing well in St. Petersburg and asks that his first confidential report go through Secretary of State John Hay. He hopes that Meyer will get along with Spencer F. Eddy.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1905-05-02

Letter from Dudley Davis to John Campbell Greenway

Dudley Davis encloses a letter from Allan B. Jaynes at the request of Major Jay. He inquires whether Jaynes appreciates the purpose of the Leonard Wood League campaign and believes a more strenuous campaign could be pursued. Davis asks that the letter be kept confidential.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1919-10-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Reuterdahl

Theodore Roosevelt sends Henry Reuterdahl letters containing confidential information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Reuterdahl

Theodore Roosevelt sends Henry Reuterdahl a confidential letter and asks if Reuterdahl can think of anything Roosevelt can do to help the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-10

Summary of letter from William Lawrence

Bishop Lawrence would like permission to publish a letter he received from President Roosevelt acknowledging receipt of the resolutions of the convention of the Episcopal Church in Massachusetts. The letter had been marked “Personal,” and Lawrence will not release it without Roosevelt’s permission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Russell Parsons

President Roosevelt encloses a confidential document from Mr. Butler and requests comments from James Russell Parsons.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-01-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Woodville Rockhill

President Roosevelt encourages Minister William Woodville Rockhill to influence his contacts in the Chinese administration to address their handling of the boycott and the Canton-Hankow Railroad concession if they want to gain favor with the U.S. Congress.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-08-22

Orders from William H. Moody to Henry Glass

Secretary of the Navy Moody orders Admiral Glass that defensive action against possible hostile operations in Panama should be confined to the vicinity of the railroads, to protect effective transit of the Isthmus. The message is labeled “Secret and Confidential.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-13

Letter from J. H. Woodard to Theodore Roosevelt

J. H. Woodard encloses letters from Scott C. Bone, managing editor of the Washington Post, and his reply. He commits to working to secure Roosevelt’s nomination and re-election in 1904. Woodard asks to have correspondence burned after Roosevelt has read it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-14

Letter from Joseph Bullock Coghlan to Porfirio Melendez

Admiral Coghlan informs Porfirio Melendez of ships and troops that will be arriving soon. He requests that a warship be permanently placed in the waters of San Blas and the mouth of the Atrato. Coghlan insists on confidentiality because, even though the Junta de Panama knows it, Coghlan wishes to keep his name out of the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-16