Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Maurice Francis Egan for sending him an article. Roosevelt comments on the character of Oregon Senator John M. Gearin and criticizes his involvement with “fractional politics” regarding the Santo Domingo treaty.
1906-03-05
President Roosevelt shares editor of the Churchman Silas McBee’s interest in and puzzlement over the sermon of Bishop Charles Henry Brent of the Philippines, which he analytically criticizes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
Secretary of War Taft notifies President Roosevelt that James Speyer suggests Roosevelt appoint someone to Santo Domingo as an agent authorized to adjust outstanding claims through new loans. Speyer recommends Greison and Taft suggests George R. Colton as an alternative.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
Henry Cabot Lodge is suggesting that Theodore Roosevelt think about having Edgar R. Champlin become a commissioner to San Domingo. Throughout the letter he informs the President about Champlin’s background and credentials, and why he would be a good fit for this position. He states that he has not run this notion by Champlin as of yet, but was hoping that the President might address the position to Champlin himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-25
Ambassador to Italy Henry White tells President Theodore Roosevelt that he will extend hospitality to Frances M. Wolcott at the request of the President and First Lady. White also discusses Roosevelt’s recent meeting with British diplomat Cecil Spring Rice and Roosevelt’s policy towards Latin America, especially the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. White is confident Roosevelt’s actions (part of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine) will lead to America’s “supremacy in our own hemisphere.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-24
Lieutenant Governor Guild of Massachusetts delivers a speech at an event commemorating President Ulysses S. Grant in Des Moines, Iowa. Guild reminds Iowans of their special connection to Grant, as Iowa regiments were key in his first great victory of the American Civil War, the Battle of Fort Donelson. Guild points out how Grant’s administration saw the beginnings of a lot of contemporary issues, like the fight between the gold and silver standard, the corruption of machine politics, and the ills of the spoils system. Guild does, however, defend Grant against his harshest critics, stating that Grant did punish many of the instigators of scandals like Credit Mobilier and the Whiskey ring, and that Grant’s idea to annex the Dominican Republic seems less extreme in light of recent South American upheavals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-27
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter about the immigration office. He does not wish to have to intervene in the Dominican Republic in any way. He has no desire to annex the island: “I have about the same desire to annex it as a gorged boa constrictor might have to swallow a porcupine wrong-end-to.”
1904-02-23
President Roosevelt informs his sister that he has written to Stewart Douglas Robinson and sent him information on business in Santo Domingo. He writes that he wishes he could see her and tell her of his difficulties with the Senate.
1906-03-15
President Roosevelt approves of “needed reforms,” but their implementation can occasionally bring about minor irritations. For instance, he is now unable to appoint William Bayard Hale to the position where he feels that Hale could do the most good. Roosevelt muses that it may be possible to use Hale as a special agent for Haiti, but it is not likely. The trouble is not that the government does not know what to do for Haiti, but that many people refuse to accept that it is necessary for the United States to “exercise some kind of supervision over the island.” He cites several other instances in which the United States intervened in countries in the Caribbean or Central America, “in each case for the immeasurable betterment of the people.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt provides a letter of introduction for Harry Johnston, an English administrator with “long and varied experience” in several of England’s possessions in Africa. Roosevelt hopes that Fenton Reuben McCreery, the Minister to Santo Domingo, will let Johnston see and study whatever he wants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-27
President Roosevelt encloses letters of introduction for Harry Johnston. While Roosevelt cannot write to Haitians and Santo Domingans, he can write to the American Ministers there; they may be able to assist Johnston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-27
President Roosevelt will discuss the claim of the Samina Bay Company of Santo Domingo with Secretary of State Elihu Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-16
President Roosevelt enjoyed his visit with Viscount James Bryce and reminisces about when Bryce stayed at the White House several years prior. Roosevelt believes the question of disarmament is “full of difficulties” and wants to avoid raising “high anticipation as will ensure disappointment” with the upcoming National Arbitration and Peace Congress. He wasn’t impressed with Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s message and compares his dealings with him to that of Henry Wolcott Bowen, former Ambassador of Venezuela. Roosevelt is pleased that the Santo Domingo treaty was ratified by Congress and is overall satisfied with the number of other legislative measures he managed to pass.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
President Roosevelt wishes to meet with Senator Spooner and discuss matters concerning Cuba, Panama, and Santo Domingo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-08
President Roosevelt informs Henry W. Taft that Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon believes James Speyer has been treated well and that Bacon backs Jacob H. Hollander. He sent Taft and Tweed’s letters to Bacon for comment. Roosevelt is reluctant to influence negotiations of Santo Domingo with the bankers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-07
On behalf of President Roosevelt, William Loeb asks Acting Secretary of State Bacon to comment on Henry W. Taft’s letter regarding Santo Domingo finances and includes Roosevelt’s reply.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-07
President Roosevelt asks Acting Secretary of State Bacon to meet with Charles H. Tweed, of Speyer and Company, and additionally ask him to meet with Jacob H. Hollander in order to discuss the Santo Domingo debt matter. Speyer and Company understood that the matter would not be addressed without their bankers being given an equal opportunity to make proposals. Roosevelt additionally asks Bacon to arrange for Willard Dickerman Straight to go through Siberia on his way to assume his post as Consul-General at Mukden, Manchuria.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-13
President Roosevelt would like for Frank L. Laird and Adam C. Haeselbarth to discuss the conditions in Santo Domingo with some members of the War or State Department. Roosevelt praises Haeselbarth’s performance as Director of Charities in Puerto Rico, but does not know how familiar he is with the situation with the Dominican Republic compared with government agents George R. Colton or Thomas Cleland Dawson. He is interested in learning exactly what Haeselbarth wishes to discuss, but then would like to invite the pair to Washington, D.C., to discuss the matter. Regarding the recent treaty, Roosevelt maintains that “there was literally one one honest or intelligent objection,” and the Senate’s conduct was shameful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-03
President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Cullom for his actions relating to the Algeciras matter. He advises Cullom to not agree to a time for a vote on the Santo Domingo Treaty until he confers with Secretary of State Elihu Root, as Root and Roosevelt “have a plan under way.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-28
President Roosevelt thanks E. S. A. de Lima for the letter and for the work he has done promoting a treaty between the United States and the Dominican Republic. Roosevelt feels that the only hope there is of passing such a treaty is through the non-partisan action of business organizations like that which de Lima represents.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-23