Your TR Source
President Roosevelt tells Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is pleased with an editorial. He would like his sister to tell her son William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. that Quentin Roosevelt has started at the public school. Quentin has also just received two white rabbits, which he was excited to present to the family at lunch yesterday.
1903-10-02
President Roosevelt forwards a note he received from William Sheffield Cowles; he found the note so touching he wants Anna Roosevelt Cowles to see it, but he wants it back so he can keep it. He wants to discuss several matters with Ambassador Reid and looks forward to seeing William Sheffield Cowles, Jr.
1903-10-28
President Roosevelt is worried about Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s son, William Sheffield Cowles, Jr., who is unexpectedly not well. Roosevelt wants her to tell young Sheffield about a camping trip Roosevelt took with his sons and nine other boys, which he describes in detail.
1904-07-21
President Roosevelt has appointed Admiral George Converse and tells of taking Secretaries Morton and Moody out to Rock Creek for a strenuous walk that both men underestimated. Roosevelt is enamored with Washington, D.C., and with his wife Edith Roosevelt, who delights in an unusual variety of activities there. As the election approaches, Roosevelt reflects on his legacy and the importance of his work in office and in life.
1904-07-30
President Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt have designated breakfast as their private family meal, and he enjoys spending this time with his children. He looks forward to a favorable result in the upcoming election; Edith has invited the members of the cabinet over on election day to celebrate or mourn the outcome as it happens.
1904-10-18
Governor Roosevelt writes that Edith Roosevelt and their children enjoyed their visit with the Cowles family. As his vice presidential campaign winds down, Roosevelt finds himself feeling jaded, and expects that his voice will give out.
1900-10-16
Governor Roosevelt wishes he and Anna Roosevelt Cowles could have spent Christmas together. He has already made arrangements to rent a house for the next year’s holidays and wants to make sure the families are together at that time.
1900-12-27
Governor Roosevelt suggests that Anna Roosevelt Cowles host a dinner or breakfast with a given list of guests so that he can show the writer Frederic Harrison some attention. Roosevelt believes that Harrison will be in town from March 3 through March 5. As President McKinley is being inaugurated on March 4, Roosevelt states that date will not work.
1901-02-23
Vice President Roosevelt completely enjoyed his twelve days with Anna Roosevelt Cowles, and is very much looking forward to serving in his new role as vice president.
1901-03-15
Governor Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the gift of the silver strap. He shares how much he misses William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. and tells her about his vacation, which he is spending mostly outdoors.
1899-11-03
Governor Roosevelt replies to Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s previous letter. Edith Roosevelt has gone to New York to visit friends. He shares his thoughts on the Philippine campaign and Father Matthews’s story about the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
1899-11-14
Theodore Roosevelt is greatly concerned about William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s health and for Anna Roosevelt Cowles given the anxiety she has over her son’s recovery. Roosevelt and his wife, Edith, will meet Anna in New York as soon as she is able to travel there. Roosevelt offers to have his great-nephew “little Joe” Alsop for a visit, and he is eager to show him books about exotic wildlife.
1915-02-28
Theodore Roosevelt discusses Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s recent telegram, her letter to Edith Roosevelt, and the health and activities of their family members.
1915-10-29
Theodore Roosevelt tells Anna Roosevelt Cowles of a delegation of women suffragists he received after publishing an article. He also shares news of Edith’s stay in New York City and their grandchild.
1912-02-10
Theodore Roosevelt is curious about whether William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. chose the Navy, and provides updates on Kermit Roosevelt’s health and career plans. Roosevelt has an opportunity to change his current trip’s itinerary and go down an unknown river. He is pleased at the reception in South America and has been able to give his views on the Monroe doctrine and on democracy in general.
1913-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt has written to Mrs. Pierce. Quentin Roosevelt enjoyed his time at Farmington, especially with William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. The last two months Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt have been less busy and have been very happy; they both laughed over Anna’s last letter.
1915-01-08
Theodore Roosevelt shares with Anna Roosevelt Cowles his frustration with the number of invitations he receives to dedicate and/or deliver speeches at local institutions around the country, and the lack of understanding he encounters when he declines such invitations. He has spoken in almost every state since he returned from safari several months earlier, and while he wanted to do so, he has decided that he will speak only at occasions or for causes that will receive a national audience. He writes about his views on women’s suffrage, saying that he “tepidly” favors it where the majority of women desire it themselves. However, he does not believe it to be of much consequence, believing that it will do only a small bit of good, and none of the harm that its opponents insist it will.
1911-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s recent visit. Roosevelt explains that they have secured permission to build a new road on their property and describes the redevelopment to accommodate motor vehicles. Roosevelt is amused by the effect of their newfound mobility on Ethel Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, and their friends; they visit friends who live farther away and these guests reciprocate by visiting the Roosevelts’ home too. Roosevelt explains that he is glad they did not have a car before this summer, because he would rather not socialize so much. He updates Anna on the academic interests and college plans of Archibald Roosevelt. Archie and Quentin Roosevelt have taken to playing tennis together, which makes Roosevelt happy, and Quentin also plays baseball with James the butler. Roosevelt speaks very highly of the staff and servants of the house and stable, who are black, and the gardeners and the chauffeur, who are “native Americans.” Roosevelt hopes Anna can visit in the fall or spring and is glad he was able to visit her the past spring. He tells her that the Emlen Roosevelts have had a difficult time because of Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Emlen Roosevelt), who is feeble and suffering from mental illness. However, Edith just spent time with Aunt Lizzie and enjoyed it.
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the Christmas gifts of a lamp and a hearth brush, saying that he especially wanted the lamp and it has already added to his comfort. He misses her and wishes he could talk with her and William Sheffield Cowles about his complicated political situation. He sends his regards to William Sheffield Cowles, Jr., understanding that he has had a difficult time but he knows it would be harder if he were taken away now. Roosevelt is certain young Sheffield will win out because he has the right stuff in him.
1911-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt replies to Anna Roosevelt Cowles about Elisha Ely Garrison, a good man who was in his regiment. Garrison wrote to Roosevelt recently because he is interested in financial legislation and hoped Roosevelt would discuss it with him. Roosevelt says that Garrison is a real friend and a Yale man; Roosevelt always listens to him when he visits and sends him a follow-up letter of acknowledgement when he sends a manuscript or pamphlet. Roosevelt shares that he and Edith Roosevelt laughed when they read Cowles’ account of the Frederika Bremer celebration and about William Sheffield Cowles Jr. playing football to work off the extra treats at Christmas.
1911-12-29