Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that William Sheffield Cowles Jr. is overcoming his homesickness. Quentin Roosevelt and Christopher LaFarge have sent good reports about him. He asks that his letter to Sheffield not be sent unless there is need of it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
President Roosevelt informs Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he had “Cuban fever” during his hunt but is relieved to hear William Sheffield Cowles’ own health has improved. Roosevelt has asked Edith to inquire when Whitelaw Reid and his family can spend time with them before they leave.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-06
President Roosevelt instructs Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry to ensure there is enough coal for the Great White Fleet’s trip, and says the Bureau of Equipment is “on trial in this matter.” He likes the idea of “having one first-class man. . .represent all the newspapers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
William S. Cowles discusses President William H. Taft’s recent speech in Connecticut regarding arbitration. He reports that the crowd was not enthusiastic and believes Taft should have spoken on reciprocity. Afterwards, Cowles and his son, William Sheffield Cowles, had the opportunity to meet Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Alexander Lambert sends President Roosevelt an editorial. Lambert notes that his father-in-law, Knight D. Cheney, is mending after a serious illness. Lambert has contacted William H. Wright, author of a recent article on elk, to plan a grizzly bear hunt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-17
Theodore Roosevelt tells William S. Cowles that he is glad Sheffield is getting over his homesickness, which all boys go through. Roosevelt also shares that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is slowly recovering after her fall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt shares the extent of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s recent fall with Wm. S. Cowles and mentions that Alec Lambert is coming to check in on her. Roosevelt is glad that Anna Roosevelt Cowles is visiting her son for his birthday. Roosevelt voices his opinion on the defeat of Theodore Douglas during his run for the New York State Legislature, and also briefly mentions the effects brought about by the Turco-Italian War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-06
Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he has turned down another invitation to speak at a dedication. He only wants to speak on occasions that will reach a national audience rather than local communities. He enjoyed his time at Farmington, Connecticut. Roosevelt “tepidly favored” women’s suffrage but “did not regard it as a reform of much consequence.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the letters from Anna Roosevelt Cowles and William S. Cowles. He is concerned about Anna’s rheumatism. He is glad McLean won rather than Buckley. Roosevelt is pleased they like the zebra rug.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed visiting with Anna Roosevelt Cowles and her family. He feels indignant that her husband, William Sheffield Cowles, is not permitted to go to the legislature.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he cannot visit Anna Roosevelt Cowles in Farmington, Connecticut, on his way to New Haven, Connecticut. He will ensure a visit before his trip to California. Roosevelt is glad Cowles is taking it easy and longs to see her and William S. Cowles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-08
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed having Anna Roosevelt Cowles visit. Roosevelt considers Franklin D. Roosevelt “a fine fellow” but wishes he had Joseph W. Alsop’s political views. When he visits Farmington, Connecticut, in the spring, he expects William Sheffield Cowles to show him the bobolinks. Roosevelt cannot attend to all of his work, finds his correspondence “an intolerable burden,” and dreads his trip west, especially as his throat is bothering him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is glad Archie and Quentin were able to see “Sheffield,” referring to Cowles’s son William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. Roosevelt saw his brother-in law Douglas Robinson Thursday and they spoke about what Teddy Roosevelt had done, but Robinson asks they keep the conversation confidential. Roosevelt “cannot overestimate the beauty of the Canadian Rockies” from which he and wife Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt recently returned. Roosevelt is pleased with Will’s success running a Sunday school picnic which he compares to manning a battleship. Roosevelt asks if his sister has read “Ordeal by Battle” by Frederick Scott Oliver.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is glad Quentin and Sheffield are companions in their youth. He states that Quentin recently had a wonderful time in Farmington. Roosevelt and his wife also appreciated the humor of a recent letter and, like Cowles, they are busy but happy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-08
President Roosevelt tells his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, that he thinks that Henry Cabot Lodge did very well at the Republican National Convention, and that he is pleased with the result. Roosevelt is already looking forward to his safari in Africa, and says that he does not want it to just be a vacation, but hopes to be able to contribute scientific specimens to museums.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-22
President Roosevelt informs Captain William S. Cowles that he arranged for Cowles to continue as Chief of the Bureau of Equipment until the end of Roosevelt’s term. Roosevelt is happy to hear that Cowles was one of those invited to represent the United States Navy at the Québec celebration, and hopes he will attend. Roosevelt adds the he spoke to Secretary of War William H. Taft about Cowles’ career after Roosevelt leaves office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-10
President Roosevelt tells his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, that his sons, Kermit and Archie Roosevelt, were overjoyed to see her at Groton, and that he is happy that she could visit. He is pleased that she and her son, William Sheffield Cowles, will be accompanying her husband, William Sheffield Cowles, to Québec. Roosevelt also comments on the goings-on at the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-17
President Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles to thank her for the lamp, and wishes her son, William Sheffield Cowles, could have been at the White House for Christmas. It was Christmas in “the usual style,” and then a three hour ride with the chattering children and Fitzhugh Lee, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, and Secretary of State Elihu Root. They had lunch with the Lodge and Cooley families and then Roosevelt played tennis with Ambassador J. J. Jusserand, Ted Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-25
President Roosevelt tells Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he will write to her in the volumes she requests as long as she sends letters in the same volumes. He is glad she is taking an interest in local politics. Roosevelt is sorry that Joseph W. Alsop did not get nominated. Roosevelt is sorry to hear about William Sheffield Cowles’s finger and sends his love.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-18
President Roosevelt tells his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, that he will write to her husband, William S. Cowles to see if he would be willing to come up for a day to join them at the naval review. He is looking forward to having Cowles and her son, William Sheffield Cowles, visit them soon. They recently were visited by Nicholas and Alice Roosevelt Longworth, and had a pleasant time. Roosevelt was very interested about what Cowles wrote about Joseph W. Alsop and his friend, and would like to see them sometime next winter, because he is scheduled to give an address in the spring that touches on some of the topics they work on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21