Cuba

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt that he has been a bit bored on the trip, but he has been reading a lot, and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has been enjoying herself. The officers and crew have been very good to them. He describes the sight of the three battleships cruising at night and reflects on his current state as president helping to build the Panama Canal. He outlines their typical day. In an entry a few days later, Roosevelt comments on their reaching San Salvador, where Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas. They are getting closer to Panama and hope to reach it that afternoon, just six days from when they left Washington, D. C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-14

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Robert Gooding

President Roosevelt tells Governor Gooding that Secretary of War William H. Taft “will surely go out” if he turns from Cuba in time. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-09

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

If Secretary of War Taft believes a reception with the Cubans is a good idea, President Roosevelt agrees. Roosevelt looks forward to Taft’s return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt thinks that Secretary of War Taft should allow Provisional Governor of Cuba Charles E. Magoon to make assurances that “policy declared..by my predecessor…will be strictly adhered to,” to avoid “too much proclamation” from Taft. Roosevelt discusses further issues concerning the occupation of Cuba. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kentarō Kaneko

President Roosevelt apologizes to Baron Kaneko for failing to reply to his “very courteous letter.” Roosevelt sometimes shares his letters from “Japanese friends” with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow, and perhaps it was not returned to Roosevelt in order to make a timely and appropriate reply. Roosevelt treasures the armor given to him by Emperor of Japan Meiji stating “it will be an heirloom for my children’s children.” Roosevelt wishes the Baron and his family well and shares news about his children and other current affairs. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles E. Magoon

President Roosevelt introduces his cousin, John S. Elliot, to Provisional Governor of Cuba Magoon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt is disappointed in the professional conduct of Minister to Cuba Edwin V. Morgan and tells Secretary of State Root that he “has been absolutely useless in the crises that has just occurred.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt was greatly amused by a cartoon depicting Secretary of War Taft and sends it to him along with words of support for the handling of the recent events in Cuba. Roosevelt wishes to meet with Taft in person about the nomination of Horace H. Lurton to the Supreme Court, along with Supreme Court Justice William R. Day, Secretary of State Elihu Root,  and Attorney General William Henry Moody. Roosevelt mentions that Philip Battell Stewart will not run for governor in Colorado, and wonders if Taft can make it to Idaho for a campaign speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert J. Beveridge

President Roosevelt expresses his stance on the current situation in Cuba with Senator Beveridge. Although Roosevelt believes that future military intervention in Cuba might be necessary, he would need the support from Congress and wishes only to aid the Cuban government, not “conquer the island.” Roosevelt congratulates Beveridge on his campaign. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Davis Long

President Roosevelt thanks former Governor of Massachusetts Long for his letter and agrees with Long that recent actions in Cuba prove to the anti-imperialists “the folly of which we should have been guilty if we had followed their advice in the Philippines.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Vespasian Warner

President Roosevelt seeks confirmation from Commissioner of Pensions Warner that Ethel Chase Sprague Donaldson’s pension is processed with haste, as he has high regard for her and her late husband, Rough Rider and army surgeon, Frank Donaldson. Although Roosevelt respects the Donaldson’s service to their country during the war, he particularly notes that Mrs. Donaldson’s grandfather is Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury to President Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert J. Beveridge

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Beveridge for his interesting letter and tells him that he is not influenced by the opinions of the “club men” nor the coverage of his policies in certain newspapers. Roosevelt believes he acted in “good faith” in regards to Cuba, and wishes to have leaders of the House and Senate meet about the tariff revision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Spooner

President Roosevelt wishes to meet with Senator Spooner and discuss matters concerning Cuba, Panama, and Santo Domingo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood

President Roosevelt has arranged for Governor of Moro Province Wood, a general staff officer, and an aide to attend the upcoming military maneuvers in Honan, Philippines. He is glad Wood is willing to have General Frank Ross McCoy. Roosevelt is unsure how the trouble in Cuba will turn out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt finds “quiet but deep satisfaction” in the Samuel Gompers and Sydney Emanuel Mudd affair. He updates Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte on Clarence C. Pusey taking office and gives guidance on handling Mary Tayloe Key. In a postscript, Roosevelt comments on the situation in Cuba and discusses presenting a naval medal of honor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Benson Foraker

President Roosevelt will carefully consider Senator Foraker’s communication. Concerning Cuba, he will act “only as I feel compelled…in accordance with my oath of office for the protection of the persons and property of the United States.” He clarifies there is no intention to act against the established government of Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-26

Letter from Latta Maurice to Lyman Abbott

On behalf of President Roosevelt, Latta Maurice sends Lyman Abbott a letter for Harold Howland to the American representatives in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Diplomatic and Military Representatives of the United States in Cuba

President Roosevelt introduces Harold Howland of the Outlook to the American representatives in Cuba. He requests Howland have access to information, except for intel sensitive to the military.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ramon Guitéras

President Roosevelt thinks Ramon Guitéras’s suggestion would be best for Cuba. However, neither Cuba nor the United States will assent to it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles William Eliot

President Roosevelt wishes to see President of Harvard Eliot to talk over the “many interesting points” raised in his letter. He discusses General Leonard Wood’s leadership during the Spanish American War, currents attempts to avoid intervention and occupation in Cuba, the conceit of educated men, and dealing with the “negro problem.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28