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President Roosevelt appoints Admiral Capps to represent the Navy Department on a committee that will report on the organization, condition, and needs of the Executive Government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-08
James F. J. Archibald reports to President Roosevelt on the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Archibald believes America to be “so far behind” other nations in this area of marine warfare—particularly Great Britain, France, and Japan. Upon visiting principal cities and harbors, he finds the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian Islands in a “deplorably defenseless position” and notes that the people living in these areas feel vulnerable because of the large extent of “oriental labor and immigration.” Whereas guns and mines are not ideal defense weapons because of the foggy weather, Archibald feels the Pacific Coast is prime territory for the use of submarines due to the large harbors, climates, and topography of the region. Archibald details the number of submarines and personnel he believes to be needed at each of four geographic locations–the Puget Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Diego Bay–as well as the costs of these fortifications, and he emphasizes that his opinions are shared by military officers and civilian experts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-02
President Roosevelt thanks Major Brown for his letter and apologizes for having little time to reply. He wishes for the “little electric outfit” Brown describes, and plans to ask Major General William Crozier to secure one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-26
Until President Roosevelt received Owen Wister’s letter, he was unaware of the anniversary celebration, and does not believe he will accept an invitation. Roosevelt felt that he had to keep quiet about the election of John E. Reyburn as mayor of Philadelphia, as the alternative would have been to take part in every municipal election. Roosevelt thinks, however, that Reyburn is “a rather unusually well-developed type of prize hog.” He also comments on his attendance of the Harrisburg celebration, which he attended with Philander C. Knox, and tells Wister that if he declined to visit state capitals if he did not like the governors or legislatures, he would have a tall order.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-24
President Roosevelt informs Senator Warren about Colonel Frank Heath’s reports concerning the presence of antimony in bullets manufactured by the Union Metallic Cartridge company and those recovered from the Brownsville Affair. It is possible all of the company’s bullets used by the army at the time of the shooting may have antimony present. These findings invalidate Senator Joseph Benson Foraker’s argument.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-15
Senator Lodge is right about the dates for Hieron I, but President Roosevelt said Hieron II ruled 50 years after Alexander the Great. Roosevelt is excited to see the Philistis coin. He encloses a copy of the letter he sent to Chairman Francis E. Warren along with Chief of Ordnance William Crozier’s findings concerning the presence of antimony in the chemical analysis of various bullets issued by the army at the time of the Brownsville Affair.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-15
President Roosevelt sends General Smith a copy of a letter he received from Chief of Ordnance William Crozier applauding the appointment of Smith to brigadier general before his retirement. In the letter Crozier details Smith’s triumphs, including the widespread adoption of the built-up forged steel cannon gun and revitalizing coastal defenses in the United States. Roosevelt appreciates Smith’s service to the country, as this efforts advanced the development of seacoast defenses in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
William Loeb sends a letter of introduction from President Roosevelt to Clayton Rockhill to present to William Crozier, Chief of Ordinance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-17
President Roosevelt updates his son, Kermit Roosevelt, on recent happenings. Surprisingly, the presidential elector from Montana was his friend and former ranch foreman, Arthur William Merrifield. He describes his and Ted Roosevelt”s continued boxing matches with Joseph Grant. Archibald and Quentin are recovering from “grip.” Unfortunately, Edith’s horse Yagenka may no longer be ridable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-23
President Roosevelt is interested in what General Wood is doing with the Moros. Roosevelt had a challenging time getting Albert Leopold Mills confirmed and must pay more attention to seniority with his next brigadier general appointment. Roosevelt is also bracing himself for negative press coverage during the election. Roosevelt has tried to keep fit by doing Japanese wrestling over the winter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-04
President Roosevelt thanks Margaretta Eleanor Crozier Reyburn for her note. He wishes he felt as sure of every appointment as he feels about Captain Crozier’s appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-14
George W. Burr, Commanding Officer of Rock Island Arsenal, sends Theodore Roosevelt a pair of sweat leathers as requested and instructs him how to pay the cost of $5.58. The office was not certain what model Roosevelt’s saddle is and if they are incorrect, he can return them along with one of his broken leathers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-07
Major Henry T. Allen sends Adjutant General of the United States Army, Fred C. Ainsworth, a statement of facts in connection with the relief of the Second Squadron, 8th Cavalry, from duty in Yellowstone National Park. Allen explains the history of how the squadron came to serve at Yellowstone, the conditions while they were there, and the generally how the squadron had been received. Allen quotes from several letters mentioning his conduct specifically, as well as that of the squadron, which commend the efforts of both.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-12
J. H. Patterson greatly enjoyed his time as a guest in the White House, and thanks President Roosevelt for the hospitality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-26
Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for the letters discussing antinomy in government bullets, which he is returning. He includes a handwritten note at the end discussing Theocritus on Hieron II and Ptolemy and Aeschylus on Hieron I.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-16
On behalf of Chief of Ordnance William Crozier, Acting Chief of Ordnance Thompson sends Senator Warren, Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, five 0.30 caliber ball cartridges from the 1903 model. Thompson believes Warren would like ammunition from this model manufactured in December 1905 or January 1906. He describes developments in composition of the bullet core of the 1903 model since its original manufacture, and has requested samples of ammunition made closer to the requested time period. Upon receipt, he will forward those bullet models to Warren immediately.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-05
Commander Sims writes to President Roosevelt with the results of the long-range firing tests completed by the Atlantic Fleet. After his updates over the years on their great progress in gunnery training, Sims now reports that the battle firing system has proven to be satisfactory. He describes the tests conducted, the control system, and the outcomes for each ship. The fire-control officers, although rattled by stress at first, performed very well by the end.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-08
Secretary of War Taft gives President Roosevelt a review of the various vacancies and those appointed to fill them. He approves appointing Colonel Charles S. Smith to brigadier general based on his experience with coastal defense. However, he does not endorse the similar appointment of Colonel Medorem Crawford, describing him as a “humdrum, mediocre officer.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-18
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a letter from General William Crozier regarding promoting Colonel Charles S. Smith to Brigadier General. Colonel Medorem Crawford has also been recommended for a promotion. Of the two, Taft feels Smith is more entitled to promotion due to his service record.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte to look into a question about a proposed university, and asks what he thinks the proper course to take would be.
1906-08-06