Cowles, Wm. S. (William Sheffield), 1846-1923

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for the painting, saying he is overwhelmed by Lee’s kindness and generosity, and the way in which he has read Roosevelt’s thoughts about the painting. Roosevelt mentions that Admiral William S. Cowles, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, and Vice-President Charles W. Fairbanks recently attended the tricentennial celebrations in Québec, emphasizing the “hearty friendship” between the United States and England. Roosevelt thinks the British fleet should be kept up to the highest standards for the “peace of the world,” though he would like to limit the size of ships. Roosevelt’s African safari is coming up, and he hopes he can travel as a private person, but will pay his respects to various important personages along the way if need be.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-07

Letter from Truman Handy Newberry to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry submits a report to President Roosevelt about the coal situation. The Navy Department wants to approve what Admiral Wm. S. Cowles has written about this subject. Newberry concludes by listing three propositions the Navy Department could adopt if the transcontinental railroads offer a lower rate than the New England Coal and Coke Company has already proposed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

Anna Roosevelt Cowles has been eager to write to President Roosevelt but knows he is busy. After seeing many of their friends, she updates Roosevelt on their views and the influence of financial ties on his supporters. Cowles has been at a beautiful property called Hill-Stead owned by Alfred Atmore Pope and Ada Brooks Pope, and she feels that such places reflect positively on wealth in America. She updates Roosevelt on William S. Cowles’ trip and on family matters. As a favor to Frederick William Vanderbilt who has been respectful to Roosevelt through everything, Cowles asks if Roosevelt can have Duchess of Manchester Consuelo Montagu for lunch. Douglas Robinson seems to be making a political impact in Herkimer County, and Cowles looks forward to visiting and talking about many things whenever it is convenient for Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-31

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to William Loeb

Anna Roosevelt Cowles writes to William Loeb asking him to look into the enclosed item, stating that Admiral Cowles has already looked into the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-21

Leniency shown to Capt. Cowles

Captain Cowles will not face a court-martial for the Missouri–Illinois collision even though the court of inquiry criticized Cowles. The decision goes against recent precedent that an officer should face a court-martial even if the court of inquiry recommends no further action. There is growing dissatisfaction among naval officers regarding the decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-02

Incidents of the accident

The Office of Naval Intelligence describes the outbreak of fire following the explosion of a gun during a training exercise on the USS Missouri on April 13, 1904, a fire that killed six officers and twenty-seven enlisted men. The report details the crew’s response to to the emergency and the evidence gathered in review of the incident. The writer states, “The discipline, readiness, and alacrity shown by every person in every department of the ship deserves highest approbation,” and he praises the willingness of numerous crew members to assist in the rescue of others, including three men who ultimately earned the medal of honor for their actions: Gunner Robert E. Cox, Chief Gunner’s Mate Mons Monssen, and Gunner’s Mate First Class Charles S. Schepke.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is dining at the White House and President McKinley is pleased with his work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He suggests names of dinner guests the Bryce family may like to meet.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is really enjoying his work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and accomplishing a lot. He enjoyed meeting William Sheffield Cowles’ brother and daughter Alice is having a good time on her trip.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he may ask her to entertain the famous hunter Frederick Courteney Selous in November. Roosevelt does not know when he will have time to visit the Bryces and will be going on the USS Dolphin (PG-24).

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to say wife Edith enjoyed her ten-day visit and has everything ready to return with the children. Roosevelt really enjoys his work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Daughter Alice wrote him an entertaining letter and he wants his sister Corinne Robinson to invite son Ted to visit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-08-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about the fun he had with his children while on holiday. He took them on a picnic and is now heading back to Washington where he will be working pretty steadily. Cowles’ husband William Sheffield Cowles visited.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-08-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles for her letter and says he is glad she could spend some time at Oyster Bay. He plans to go soon for a week or ten days and is also writing a note to Cowles’ husband William Sheffield Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-06-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles he will be in New York soon and will be able to see her. He has spoken to Swift and will be inspecting the Navy yard so he has things to speak over with Cowles’ husband William Sheffield Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-05-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to encourage her husband, Naval Captain William Sheffield Cowles, to write him on any matter that comes up and to say he will write Will to consult him on matters. He wants Anna to visit him when he returns to Sagamore Hill and says he is enjoying his work.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-05-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes a note to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to welcome her home and thank her for the help with his article. His work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy is pleasing so far.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-04-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is pleased and astonished to be named Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He credits Senator Lodge with fighting for him and awaits Senate confirmation. He regrets he will not be able to greet Anna when she returns home and compliments her husband William Sheffield Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-04-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that her husband William S. Cowles has arrived in New York. Senator Lodge is “sanguine” over Roosevelt being made Assistant Secretary of the Navy, but Roosevelt does not hold much hope. He says Thomas Collier Platt and the machine politicians are his opponents.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-04-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt understands why his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles is wistful about leaving England and returning to America. He looks forward to meeting her husband William S. Cowles and invites his sister Helen Cowles to stay at Sagamore Hill. He believes he will remain a Police Commissioner at least until the new year and does not know what to do after he leaves.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-03-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his excitement over meeting her husband William and invites them to stay at Sagamore Hill this summer. Roosevelt doubts he will be appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy and feels he will soon be legislated out of his job as Police Commissioner.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-03-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt about how his Police Commissioner colleagues Andrew D. Parker and Frederick Dent Grant have put the entire police department in uproar. Roosevelt hopes they will all be legislated out of office soon as he cannot stand seeing all his work come undone.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-03-14