Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt reminds Frank M. Chapman that he sympathizes with Roosevelt because Roosevelt prioritizes the facts, unlike Thayer. Roosevelt is pleased that Chapman enjoyed his article on Panama and discusses the United States’ duty in Panama and Cuba and how it does not have that same duty in Russia or Turkey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Maurice Francis Egan for his letter, and express his hope that the “Russian papers” can be printed despite the drawbacks of that nation’s aristocratic government. Roosevelt also agrees with what Egan has to say about their “Spanish-American friends,” and express his thoughts about the corruption in Cuba. He then proceeds to list some names of individuals that they both seem to be fond of.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Secretary of War Stimson for sending the fine speech by Judge Emile Henry Lacombe and encloses it with the letter. He asks that Stimson convey his compliments to Lacombe when he sees him and comments on how nice it was to see Stimson and his family yesterday. He encourages Stimson to take Mrs. Stimson on his trip to South America as he did with Mrs. Roosevelt on his trips to Panama and Elihu Root did with his wife when he went to South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt cannot help George W. Robertson, other than to suggest that Robertson send this letter to the Civil Service Board. Roosevelt knows Robertson served in his regiment in Cuba, but it does not appear that Robertson was discharged on disability.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-12
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks the Cuban Secretary of Justice for the volume of Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the Republics of Cuba which was sent to Roosevelt last June. It will be kept for Roosevelt until his return from Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-12-09
President Roosevelt informs F. R. Wingate of his plans to go on safari in the British territories in Africa. He lists the places he intends to visit and the animals he intends to shoot. Most of the specimens will be donated to the Smithsonian Institute, although Roosevelt and his son Kermit may keep a few trophies for themselves. Roosevelt assures Wingate that he intends to travel as a private citizen, and does not want the leaders of any of the territories making special arrangements for him. He adds that he is interested to see how Wingate and others have managed the British possessions in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-29
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Maurice Francis Egan on his letter writing and describes his letters as “delightful as literary works.” Roosevelt’s recent article, which pointed out some English shortcomings, upset the English but Roosevelt was writing for an American audience. He agrees that the United States is unlikely to fight “disinterestedly” as happened in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-07
Although Theodore Roosevelt believes that Cuba would be a satisfactory location for the games, as Dr. Grant proposes, he cannot act in the matter himself. In light of the great world problems he is striving to address, Roosevelt cannot devote attention to Grant’s proposal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with most of what Luis Lara Pardo says in his letter. However, Roosevelt thinks that his own words are of mostly academic value under present conditions and he cannot admit that the actions the United States took in Cuba set a precedent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-02
Munroe Smith exactly stated the grounds on which Theodore Roosevelt would have based American actions in Cuba and would like to base action in Mexico. Roosevelt sent an American fleet to the Pacific with the understanding that this could lead to war with Japan. He did not believe there would be war, but instructed the fleet to operate as if it were at war and always be prepared for hostilities. Sending the fleet turned out to be the “greatest stroke for peace that could be struck.” If Japan had declared war, Roosevelt would have known that the Japanese had simply been waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt is in “substantial agreement” with the arguments put forth in Governor MacCorkle’s book. Roosevelt wants to see the United States take a more aggressive position on preparedness; he feels the country must do its duty as it did in Cuba, San Domingo, and Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-02
Theodore Roosevelt argues that war can be carried out for the “cause of Peace and Righteousness.” Praising peace in the abstract is useless if you are not willing to “stand up effectively for peace.” Roosevelt believes in a peace of justice and has “brought Peace and served Peace in many ways.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-04
Theodore Roosevelt has written the letter for Charles Cary, as requested. Roosevelt hopes that Cary is going to Europe to be of help in the crisis, and not as a tourist, as Roosevelt knows what trouble they are at the front from his time in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-14
President Roosevelt requests that the Army War College focus on better organization and training for army pack trains, insisting that there should be at least one full pack train with every squadron of cavalry. He suggests looking to the work of General Leonard Wood, Hugh Lenox Scott, and Henry W. Daly in the Philippines, and General Thomas Henry Barry in Cuba for examples of pack train organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt would like Provisional Governor of Cuba Magoon to issue an order forbidding the killing of manatees in Cuban waters. Roosevelt does not want this “strange creature” to go extinct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-09
President Roosevelt was very touched to receive the cable from Major General Barry. Roosevelt thanks Barry and the Army of Cuban Pacification, both personally and as representative of the American people, for the good work they have done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-01
President Roosevelt tells former Rough Rider Charles E. Hunter that he does not wish to have any celebratory dinners before his African safari, although when he returns he would be very pleased to see his friends. Roosevelt reminds Hunter that he felt the same way before their regiment headed out to Cuba in the Spanish-American war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-26
President Roosevelt is planning to take Sydney Brooks’ advice in describing the British attitude in India in an upcoming speech. He liked Brooks’ article, and is pleased that he is going to write another one. Roosevelt appreciated Brooks’ praise of his achievements in office, but highlights what he believes are his greatest achievements while in the presidency, including increasing the size of the navy, the construction of the Panama Canal, the creation of forest reserves, and the involvement of the United States in international affairs to promote world peace. He encloses several volumes of his Presidential addresses and State papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-28
President Roosevelt introduces Gifford Pinchot to President Gómez of Cuba, and praises Pinchot as a “warm personal friend” upon whom he has leaned during his presidency. Pinchot will deliver a personal message to Gómez, and Roosevelt says that Gómez can trust Pinchot with anything he desires to say.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-21