Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940

Wharton Barker, during recent testimony in front of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, alleged that he had been told that financiers supported Theodore Roosevelt in the 1904 election because he had made a bargain on the railroad question. Barker additionally alleged that Roosevelt was made aware of the impending 1907 financial crisis, but did not act to save the country. Senators present at the meeting were skeptical of Barker’s claims.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-29

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

President Roosevelt responds to Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon’s recent letter stating that the contribution from Standard Oil Company in 1904 was authorized by the executive committee. Roosevelt was told by Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou that no money was contributed by Standard Oil, and only after the campaign was he informed that in fact individuals associated with the company had contributed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

President Roosevelt apologizes for his error and corrects his earlier statement that Assistant Treasurer Fish could stay in office while running for Congress. Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, as well as several other cabinet officers, have said this would not be fair to others who have had to resign during the nomination process.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

President Roosevelt writes to Republican National Committee Treasurer George Rumsey Sheldon regarding campaign funds solicited from John D. Archbold and Edward Henry Harriman. As the head of the Republican Administration, Roosevelt expresses his disagreement with collecting money from anyone currently being prosecuted. He sends two letters that he wrote four years ago to Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, who was then chairman of the Republican National Committee, when money was contributed by Standard Oil. The first outlines the reasons that no contributions should be accepted which could be viewed as creating obligation to corporations. The second reiterates that the money should be returned especially in light of the public statements from Standard Oil about the company’s “political attitude.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

President Roosevelt is glad to know about the situation between Assistant Attorney General Charles Wells Russell and Assistant Attorney to the Department of Justice Albert A. Richards, as well as the situation with the labeling of whisky. Roosevelt agrees with Bonaparte about keeping Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley on as a special assistant and appointing Special Assistant Attorney General James H. Wilkerson in his place. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-17

President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte about Judge Peter Stegner Grosscup and has asked Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou to allow what Bonaparte suggests regarding Philip Lee Goldsborough.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-14

President Roosevelt requests that Secretary of State Root address the extradition “of certain alleged political offenders” to Russia. Currently, he is not pleased with the campaign, especially with the revival of the liquor agitation. Additionally, he feels that the Republican National Committee is not well handled. Given William H. Taft’s record and personality, Roosevelt cannot understand why Taft is not more popular. He is still convinced that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

President Roosevelt informs Rear Admiral Cowles that he has contacted Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou about the matter. He thanks Cowles for the useful letter from Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

President Roosevelt informs Edwin Emerson that Guatemalan president Manuel Estrada Cabrera never donated any money to his campaign and says he was assured of this fact by George B. Cortelyou and Cornelius Newton Bliss, the campaign treasurer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-13

President Roosevelt informs Frederick C. Stevens that William Loeb has taken over the investigation of John A. Merritt, but Loeb is away on holiday, so Roosevelt has sent Stevens’ letter to Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou with instructions to take “immediate and drastic action” in the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-11

President Roosevelt has telegraphed Cecil Andrew Lyon about District Attorney William Hawley Atwell. In the matter of John W. Vann, Roosevelt has directed Treasury Secretary George B. Cortelyou to appoint an independent investigator and will send the results before making a decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he admires his willingness to sacrifice his own interests for a principle, but encourages him to avoid talking about delicate subjects where his words could be twisted. Roosevelt is glad that Taft understands the situation with another potential presidential candidate, Governor Charles Evans Hughes, remarking that he has a “distinct strength with the people.” The president believes that Taft will get the majority of the delegates in the West on the first roll and that the majority of people in New England are for Taft. Finally, Roosevelt notes that the New York papers are “almost insane” in regard to his actions, suggesting that Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold were “pretty good citizens by comparison.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

President Roosevelt explains to Lawrence F. Abbott why he does not want public use made of the letters and telegrams he sent to Abbott. The president will explain more in detail when he sees Abbott or his father, Lyman Abbott, about the conversations Roosevelt had with Cornelius Newton Bliss and Senator Philander C. Knox regarding campaign donations from corporations or individuals connected with corporations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-17

President Roosevelt thanks Postmaster General Meyer for the file pertaining to Edward Gardner Lewis’s case and affirms Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou’s position regarding Lewis. Roosevelt tells Meyer to settle matters along the lines of Third Assistant Postmaster General Abraham L. Lawshe’s letter of September 5, 1908.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-14

President Roosevelt and William Loeb both think Secretary of War Taft’s chances of being elected are improving. Removing Kentucky Collector of Internal Revenue Edward T. Franks is delicate, and Roosevelt will consult with Commissioner of Internal Revenue John G. Capers. Roosevelt will echo Taft’s statement on the Philippines. The financiers are now attacking the Great White Fleet’s trip to the Pacific. Roosevelt sends an enclosure exemplifying Lucius Nathan Littauer’s behavior, and he has heard there will be support for Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

President Roosevelt updates Secretary of War Taft on his conversation with Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou in which he made clear that the nominee for president will be chosen based on what is best for the party. Men from various states have contacted Roosevelt attempting to convince him to run again and expressing whether they would support Taft. Evaluating the potential candidates, Roosevelt focuses on Governor Charles Evans Hughes, who is the biggest potential threat. Roosevelt says that Bishop Charles Henry Brent recently delivered a ridiculous sermon on the Philippines and that Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte has been doing well this summer despite his difficult work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

President Roosevelt wants to hear about W. Sloan Simpson’s trip. He is glad Simpson thinks Oklahoma Governor Frank C. Frantz has a chance, and that he approves of Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou’s actions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-26

President Roosevelt finds “more doctrine” in Richard Wilson Knott’s the Evening Post than in other papers. He will review Knott’s proposal with Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-23

President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte’s conclusions in the Standard Oil and Chicago Alton Railroad case. While he thinks Bonaparte’s letter to Henry Lee Higginson is admirable, Roosevelt thinks it best not to publish it and open himself to further attacks by the press. He cautions against attending the conference of attorney generals. Roosevelt suggests how to respond to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick and handle the situation in New Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-22