Your TR Source
William H. H. Llewellyn sends Theodore Roosevelt a clipping from an Albuquerque newspaper, and provides Roosevelt an update on plans for his visit to El Paso. Several secretaries of prominent people involved with the Mexican Revolution wish to speak with Roosevelt, and Llewellyn encourages Roosevelt to meet with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
William H. H. Llewellyn was just in El Paso attending matters for the Justice Department. While he was there he saw Territorial Governor George Curry. When Roosevelt visits, Curry wants a big dinner. Llewellyn believes that Roosevelt’s visit to Albuquerque should be “state-wide,” with Curry presiding. He discusses details of his plan, which can be worked out later.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-08
Edward L. Medler informs William H. H. Llewellyn that there are plans for Rough Riders to do the entertaining when Theodore Roosevelt comes to New Mexico for the statehood celebration. Medler does not think this would appeal to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Frank Ross McCoy sends Theodore Roosevelt birthday greetings and also sends what he believes are the first holiday greetings to Roosevelt and his hunting party in Africa. McCoy has seen many of his and Roosevelt’s mutual friends and tells him about activities that they have been undertaking in the southwest, including marches and hunting trips. He updates Roosevelt on changes in military training and updated service regulations and also discusses the International Horse Show, in which Americans are competing against British officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-10-27
President-Elect Taft explains his positions on the New Mexico and Arizona statehood bills and the postal savings bank bill to President Roosevelt. Assuming that the bills have gone through the proper processes, Taft has no problems signing them into law but does not think it will be possible in such a short session.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-21
Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick reminds William H. Taft that he suggested to Taft and President Roosevelt that Governor George Curry be sent to the Philippines as Commissioner at Large. He recently received a letter from Curry stating he would be willing to go to the Philippines in a larger capacity, feeling he could do more there than in his current position. Hendrick agrees with Curry and enthusiastically endorses him. He believes Roosevelt will too, if Taft also favors the appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
William H. H. Llewellyn provides President Roosevelt with some details about the recent killing of Pat F. Garrett. Llewellyn will participate in the trial of J. Wayne Brazel, the man who killed Garrett, as the Territorial District Attorney was away. While Llewellyn disagreed with Garret on many issues, he regrets his death and says that Garret was a great supporter of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-14
Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
Ernest P. Holcombe sends G. W. Woodruff a memorandum of incidents on a trip he recently took with Judge Albert B. Fall. Holcombe believes New Mexico Governor George Curry will possibly be embarrassed by the conduct of those around him, and Fall will soon accompany Curry on a meeting with President Roosevelt. A handwritten note to Woodruff assures him that Holcombe is a reliable witness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-24
Attorney General Bonaparte reviews “several matter of importance and delicacy” with President Roosevelt, including Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg’s handling of the New Mexico situation, Senator William Edgar Borah’s trial, and the progress of the Republican Convention. He shares how the press attacks him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-15
Special Assistant Attorney General McHarg informs Attorney General Bonaparte of the situation in New Mexico Territory. McHarg says Governor George Curry is facing a difficult time in the administration of the territory, and McHarg will assist him in any way needed. McHarg goes on to detail examples of corruption the territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-03
Max Frost notifies William H. Andrews that he has mailed copies of the New Mexican newspaper and has filed the appropriate documents with the State Department and other departments in the U.S. Treasury Building. Andrews can verify these statements for himself. Governor George Curry will arrive in Washington soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
Chase Mellen invites Alfred Henry Lewis to go to Santa Fe in the New Mexico Territory and report on the inauguration of George Curry as Governor. Mellen represents friends of the former governor Herbert J. Hagerman who believe Hagerman was treated unfairly when President Roosevelt asked him to resign. These friends—all people of high standing—hope that the inauguration will come with a “disclosure of the facts,” which will clear Hagerman. Mellen says there is great resentment of Roosevelt’s actions in New Mexico and Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-25
United States Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn reports to President Roosevelt that Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg has begun his investigation in New Mexico by listening to men of bad character who are opponents of Roosevelt and his administration. Llewellyn does not object to the investigation, but urges that it be carried out in a fair and impartial manner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
Congressman Andrews writes President Roosevelt’s secretary, William Loeb, in support of the president’s policy in New Mexico and believes that Governor George Curry should follow suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-09
Leonard Wood realizes he has not written President Roosevelt in some time, and so updates him on various events in the Philippines. The major disturbances in Samar and Leyte are over, and aside from occasional police work, American troops are not needed to keep the peace. Wood describes the military training over the year, culminating in a Division Meet. Wood is pleased that Roosevelt has issued orders regarding the physical health of field officers, and emphasizes that if Roosevelt could see how officers who are near retirement perform, he would enthusiastically back Wood’s push to base promotions and retirement on the qualifications of individuals. Wood describes his belief that officers are responsible for leading by example, and had hoped that officers could devote more time to their troops and less to administrative work. Wood says more officer training is required in horsemanship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-01
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman responds to President Roosevelt’s letter accepting his resignation in language that “should not be considered less forceful because of the absence of harsh language.” Hagerman says that in 1898, Congress placed restrictions on land leases in New Mexico Territory which were inappropriate to the landscape and climate of the territory, and ever since, individuals and businesses have worked to skirt these restrictions. When Hagerman became governor, he tried to get guidance from the federal government regarding these restrictions and the seemingly illegal contracts granted by his predecessor, but received none. Hagerman was left to either break deals made by his predecessor, or fulfill them if no harm would come to the territory, and the Pennsylvania Land Company deal was one such deal. Hagerman holds that the action he took was neither illegal nor improper, and refutes several specific points from Roosevelt’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
James John Hagerman begs Secretary of State Root to delay his son Governor Herbert J. Hagerman’s impending resignation. Hagerman believes that President Roosevelt is being persuaded by immoral men to confirm the resignation and install George Curry in his place. Hagerman implores Root to end these proceedings and to allow the people of New Mexico to retain their governor. Hagerman concludes his letter with a list of men who verify his son’s standing as a trustworthy person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-27
The writer speculates on the festivities surrounding Theodore Roosevelt’s upcoming visit, which will coincide with the culmination of New Mexico’s statehood celebration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02