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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Timothy L. Woodruff

President Roosevelt discusses the best strategies for Republican victories in the upcoming elections in New York with Representative Woodruff. Roosevelt believes that gubernatorial candidate Charles Evans Hughes represents his policies “as regards internal affairs of the nation” and sees the possible election of William Randolph Hearst “as a smashing defeat.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-14

Letter From Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Spooner

Roosevelt has told Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou about the cartoon and quatrain and “he is on their track.” Roosevelt has asked the Department of War to communicate directly with Senator Spooner but he would be glad to appoint Spooner’s friend as long as there are no denominations in order or outstanding promises for the position already. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Wilmer Atkinson

President Roosevelt will carefully consider the letter sent by Wilmer Atkinson, and will go over it with Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. S. Sherman

President Roosevelt makes an addendum to his previous letter to Representative Sherman stating that Chairman of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou and Cornelius Newton Bliss believe that James H. Hyde should not be appointed ambassador. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Parsons

President Roosevelt discusses the best strategies for Republican victories in the upcoming elections in New York with Representative Parsons. Roosevelt believes that gubernatorial candidate Charles Evans Hughes represents his policies “as regards internal affairs of the nation” and sees the possible election of William Randolph Hearst “as a smashing defeat.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. S. Sherman

President Roosevelt discusses the best strategies for Republican victories in the upcoming elections in New York with Representative Sherman. Roosevelt believes that gubernatorial candidate Charles Evans Hughes represents his policies “as regards internal affairs of the nation” and sees the possible election of William Randolph Hearst “as a smashing defeat.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John A. Stewart

President Roosevelt is “immensely interested” in John A. Stewart’s letter and contingent recommendation and plans to get him in touch with Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas E. Watson

President Roosevelt is astounded by Thomas E. Watson’s letter. There appears to have been some misunderstanding regarding John M. Barnes’s appointment as postmaster of Thomson, Georgia. Roosevelt directed Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou to investigate the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Boies Penrose

Senator Penrose’s request about the Abbeville, South Carolina post office case has left President Roosevelt in a quandary. Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou feels strongly about the case, and Roosevelt does not wish to interfere with him, but Roosevelt says that on the other hand the Senators and Representatives from South Carolina “have certainly established no claim whatever to recognition by this administration.” He requests that Penrose write to Cortelyou directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to C. Grant La Farge

President Roosevelt heard from Postmaster General Cortelyou that C. Grant La Farge is one of the architects competing for the post office building, and asks La Farge to let him know “if there is any hitch.” He is glad that La Farge’s son, Christopher LaFarge, enjoyed reading his book Outdoor Pastimes. Roosevelt hopes to see La Farge and his wife, Florence Bayard La Farge, soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert M. La Follette

President Roosevelt sends Senator La Follette, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator John C. Spooner. La Follette and Spooner have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Spooner

President Roosevelt sends Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, a duplicate of a letter which he is also sending to Senator Robert M. La Follette. Spooner and La Follette have been in disagreement regarding which of them should make recommendations for government positions in Eastern Wisconsin, and which should make recommendations for Western Wisconsin. In the past, former Senator Joseph Very Quarles of Wisconsin made recommendations for the Eastern portion of the state, while Spooner made recommendations for the Western. Roosevelt has decided to keep this sort of framework, with Spooner continuing to recommend for the Western portion and La Follette taking up the Eastern portion. He emphasizes that while he will take their recommendations into consideration, he is the final judge of whether nominees are fit for the positions. Roosevelt also comments on the post office of Marinette, and likewise tries to set out rules for nominations in these cases, stating that he will accept recommendations of the Congressmen of the district.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert M. La Follette

President Roosevelt tells Senator La Follette that while he appreciates La Follette’s feelings regarding the postmastership of Marinette, Wisconsin, the course Roosevelt has decided upon seems to be the most equitable one, and one which will not create a damaging precedent. If Roosevelt were concerned only with La Follette, he would have been pleased to reappoint the man who currently holds the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Irving Cobb

President Roosevelt greatly appreciated a recent editorial by Frank Irving Cobb, and believes that Cobb is correct in highlighting the administrative work of government of enforcing and administering laws as important. Roosevelt names a number of people involved in his government who he believe are doing very good work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt comments on the “grand mix-up” surrounding the dismissal of Augustus H. Price, one of North Carolina’s Assistant United States Attorneys. Roosevelt asks Attorney General Moody to look into the matter, and to report to him on the relative qualifications of Price and his possible replacement, Albert L. Coble. Roosevelt plans to change the internal revenue offices in North Carolina to be part of the civil service, and asks Moody to raise the issue in an upcoming cabinet meeting so Roosevelt can discuss the matter with him and Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. Roosevelt is also concerned with a matter concerning Comptroller of the Currency William Barret Ridgely. He additionally asks Moody to direct Judge James Wickersham to return to Alaska, as his presence in Washington, D.C., has not helped his confirmation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gilbert D. B. Hasbrouck

President Roosevelt wishes that Judge Hasbrouck had experienced what Roosevelt has gone through with regards to people advocating for candidates to be appointed to various positions. Roosevelt has pressures coming “from the President of the Senate down,” and is unable to always do what he is asked.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leslie M. Shaw

President Roosevelt plans to send a message to Congress recommending the rebuilding of public buildings in San Francisco belonging to the Post Office, Treasury, and War Departments, and asks Secretary of the Treasury Shaw to prepare figures for him detailing the costs associated with repairing buildings belonging to the Department of the Treasury in San Francisco, as well as those damaged in Sacramento, San Jose, and Oakland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt plans to send a message to Congress recommending the rebuilding of public buildings in San Francisco belonging to the Post Office, Treasury, and War Departments, and asks Secretary of War Taft to prepare figures for him detailing the costs associated with repairing buildings belonging to the Department of War in San Francisco, as well as those damaged in Sacramento, San Jose, and Oakland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Knute Nelson

President Roosevelt approves of an amendment that Senator Nelson of Minnesota sent to him, although he suggests a slight change. Roosevelt has considered the petition of a number of people to pardon C. W. Malchow, a doctor who has been convicted for circulating obscene literature; but upon further research into the case feels that “it is a hideous and loathsome book,” and that he “would as soon see poison circulated in the household as see that book put therein,” and therefore feels the man should serve his whole sentence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Collier Platt

President Roosevelt explains his recent actions to Senator Platt, saying that he understood that Platt wished for John A. Merritt to be made Collector of Customs at Niagara, and that he appointed Benjamin F. Barnes to succeed Merritt as Postmaster of Washington, D.C., on the recommendation of Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. If he had known that Platt would take an interest in who would replace Merritt in this position, Roosevelt would have waited.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-01