Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910

President-elect Taft encloses a letter from Sir Harry Johnston about the dreadful conditions at the Hotel Imperial in Colón, and his own reply. He found Johnston’s decision to complain at length about his personal discomfort to another country’s head of state perplexing. Taft’s wife, Helen Herron Taft, did not share his “intense amusement” at Johnston’s “extremely English” tone. Taft also encloses the self-explanatory letter he wrote to President Jose Domingo de Obaldia of Panama after a call from Obaldia’s competitor, Ricardo Arias. Taft is disgusted by Representative Henry Thomas Rainey’s “diatribes” in the House of Representatives.

Whitelaw Reid encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to President-elect William H. Taft in which he explains why he believes he should maintain his post longer than currently planned. The King of England appreciated President Roosevelt’s speech on British rule in India and mentioned as well that he hoped Reid would remain Ambassador. Reid updates Roosevelt on diplomatic work he has been doing concerning the Panama Canal and Newfoundland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-22

On behalf of Edward VII, King of Great Britain, Louis du Pan Mallet directs Ambassador Bryce to convey his “cordial sympathy” on the one-hundredth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-28

Ambassador Reid writes to President Roosevelt on a number of topics, including the present situation in India, the aftermath of a controversy in the 1908 Olympics, the health of German Emperor William II and British King Edward VII, and Roosevelt’s upcoming safari. Reid encourages Roosevelt to reconsider bringing a ceremonial outfit along with him for the period following his safari. Edward North Buxton has asked if Reid can send Roosevelt a rifle to test, and Reid is investigating whether such a thing can be done via diplomatic pouch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of personal, social, and official matters. In particular, Reid focuses on the fallout of a controversial interview given by Emperor William II of Germany to the British press. The interview has been suppressed in Germany and caused domestic issues for William, but may improve relations with the English. Reid discusses plans to reform the House of Lords, and a shooting outing he hosted where his son Ogden Mills Reid related stories about the presidential campaign in the United States. Reid also intends to give a dinner for Frantz Bille, the retiring Danish minister. Reid writes that everyone was on “pins and needles” waiting for information about foot and mouth disease.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-24

Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a “letter of indiscretions” about English society life and the state of affairs in Europe. First, he reflects upon the precarious and sad position of the German Emperor William II, who keeps making blunders and “plunging from one extravagance to another” in hopes of making people forget about his last mistake by making new ones. Reid fears that some mistakes, like his asking France to apologize for a matter when he had already agreed to arbitration, could lead to war in Europe. Reid also updates Roosevelt about Walter Spencer Morgan Burns’s drinking problem, and the controversy surrounding the separation of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill and Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill. King Edward VII has banned the Marlboroughs from Court until they live together again, but the Duchess is refusing to reconcile. Mrs. Reid’s private secretary, Helen Rogers, is recovering from surgery to remove her appendix. Reid has discussed having an American or Anglo-American Exhibition in a year or two, at the White City in Chicago. Mrs. Reid will be sailing in December to visit her father, but Reid cannot go because the State Department issued a circular instructing all Ambassadors to remain at their posts and not take further leaves of absence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

Whitelaw Reid, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, updates President Roosevelt on King of Britain Edward VII’s respectful behavior toward Sultan of the Turks Abdülhamid II. Turkey has embraced British Ambassador Sir Gerard Lowther, who has ended up in a position of power mostly by luck. The German Emperor William II has been recklessly deepening the financial troubles that plague Berlin. Reid does not think Roosevelt will need his Colonel’s uniform for visiting England, and details the appropriate attire. He discusses an agreement made with Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock to send copies of the Daily Tribune to voters in New York. Lord Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes has been unavailable due to travel, but Reid should have more information when the next session begins in three weeks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-23

Ambassador Reid’s acquaintance Cyril A. Ward went hunting in Africa two years ago. Reid will send President Roosevelt a copy of the book documenting the trip. Ward directs that African Game Ranger Blaney Percival is a useful contact and will give Reid a copy of his supply list. Reid discusses the controversy over King Edward VII’s recent interviews with sovereigns and prime ministers conducted without proper governmental supervision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31

Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on diplomatic affairs in London. Reid has spoken with several British authorities regarding Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. The Japanese Ambassador to Great Britain, Jutarō Komura, met with Reid at a luncheon given for members of the Olympic committee and emphasized that he and the Japanese Emperor recognized the United States as a friend. The Chinese Ambassador held a dinner and expressed friendly regard toward the United States. Reid provides a detailed description of two controversial Olympic races in London: in the 400 meter race, an American was disqualified for breaking the rules, and in the marathon, the Italian winner was disqualified in favor of an American. Reid notes that the American athletes, while somewhat justified in their frustrations, were seen by the British press as ill-mannered. Finally, Reid says he doubts that Roosevelt can make private visits to Paris and London on his way back from Africa without giving offense to government officials who would expect a state visit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-11

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of matters happening in England, including the nervous breakdown of Lord Edward Marjoribanks Tweedmouth, whose recent trouble relating to a letter from German Emperor William II was only the latest in a long string of misfortunes. He also offers insight into the English interest in the American Presidential election, and explains that he has told questioners that he believes Roosevelt will answer the call if his party ultimately nominates him against his wishes. Reid also discusses the lack of a profitable liberal newspaper in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-01

Ambassador Reid writes President Roosevelt about a number of issues, both political and social. He adds more information about Lord Edward Marjoribanks Tweedmouth’s mental breakdown and discusses the man who will replace him. Reid also relays an indignant letter he got from Clarise S. Ramsay, an American who wrongly felt she should have been invited to a royal ball. Roosevelt’s plan to go on a safari in Africa after leaving office is, Reid thinks, a very good one, and Roosevelt should not need to worry about receiving proper treatment and courtesies from British officials there. On a personal note, Reid thanks Roosevelt for his kind wishes at the news of his daughter Jean’s engagement to John H. Ward. He discusses his future son-in-law and the couple’s plans following their marriage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-04

Andrew Carnegie encloses his introduction to a volume of President Roosevelt’s speeches, as well as Roosevelt’s note praising the introduction. Carnegie speculates about writing an introduction to an American edition of Emperor William II’s speeches and writes a flattering sample of a possible final paragraph praising William II’s commitment to international arbitration and world peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-04

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of unfortunate and tragic events befalling members of the British government and their families. The “hoodoo” culminates in the death of recently-resigned Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-22

Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the ongoing cabinet crisis. King Edward VII did not return to meet with the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, upsetting the English, who value precedence. Little is going on while Asquith is in the process of putting together his new cabinet. Reid encloses two articles he believes Roosevelt will enjoy. He also discusses the wisdom of allowing newly-appointed Ambassador to Germany David Jayne Hill be guest of honor at the Pilgrim Club dinner.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-09

Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from The Observer that provides an alternate view of King Edward VII of England’s actions regarding the Cabinet, but notes that the paper is more like American “yellow” press. Reid offers his views on gossip that has re-emerged about the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, and updates Roosevelt on the actions of William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-14

Ambassador to England Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from the London Times which he thought was interesting. He tells Roosevelt that the old staff has been able to keep control thanks to financial help from Lords Nathaniel Mayer de Rothschild and Charles Henry Wyndham. Lord Cromer told Reid to convey his regret that he could not go to Washington at Roosevelt’s invitation. Finally, Reid updates Roosevelt on his travel plans and expresses that he was glad to be on vacation when the incident surrounding Emperor William II of Germany’s disapproval of David Jayne Hill as new German Ambassador occurred.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-01

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the diplomatic efforts of Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who has been meeting with various members of the British government. King has been implying that Roosevelt is apprehensive about Japanese hostility, but Reid is denying this and says instead that Roosevelt is merely annoyed. He also updates Roosevelt on his travel plans and his hope that he will get to visit the King to convey a message from the winner of the King’s Cup.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-20

Ambassador Reid reports that he took the first opportunity to meet with King Edward VII and present President Roosevelt’s letter, which the King appreciated. Reid thought the King looked well, although he was “a good deal affected” by the recent assassination of Carlos I, King of Portugal. It seems likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will retire soon, as he is in poor health. The general feeling is that H. H. Asquith will replace him, although things are generally not going well for the Liberals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-03

Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, speaks to the Women’s Canadian Club about raising the funds to erect a “colossal statue of the Angel of Welcome and Peace” on the Plains of Abraham to welcome emigrants to Canada. This should be done to celebrate the tricentennial of the founding of Quebec. Describing Canada’s history, Grey compares the United States’ dedication to erecting patriotic monuments and preserving its past to the lack of enthusiasm in doing the same in Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-28

Ambassador Tower relays to President Roosevelt a private conversation he had with Emperor William II of Germany, who had recently heard reports of Japanese soldiers training and gathering in Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The Emperor believes that the Japanese are preparing to seize the Panama Canal if war is declared. Additionally, reports from Portugal suggest that the Japanese are preparing for war against the United States. He approves of Roosevelt’s decision to send the war fleet out because it has strengthened the position of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-28