Elgin, Victor Alexander Bruce, Earl of, 1849-1917

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937

Publication Date

2025-07-31

Edward North Buxton has read that President Roosevelt does not intend for his words to be published in the future, and hopes that that does not prevent him from agreeing to Buxton’s recent request, as the journal only goes out to a small group and “is not published in the full sense.” Buxton will speak to Lord Elgin, British Colonial Secretary, alongside Lord Curzon of Kedleston soon. He hopes to host Roosevelt’s daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth at his home in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-08

Creator(s)

Buxton, Edward North, 1840-1924

Whitelaw Reid, Ambassador to Great Britain, has recently spoken with F. R. Wingate, the Sirdar of Egypt. Wingate told Reid that Egypt is expecting President Roosevelt to visit during his African trip, and that he would be glad to assist Roosevelt in any way he could, including opening the game preserves. Reid promised to update Wingate on Roosevelt’s plans as soon as he could. Additionally, Reid suggests that Roosevelt contact Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes about permits, as he has recently been made Secretary of State for the Colonies. Reid’s family has been having an extended reunion since a recent wedding.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-10

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

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

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a variety of political situations in England. It is likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will die or resign soon, which will lead to a number of changes. H. H. Asquith will likely become Prime Minister, and others like Sir Henry Fowler will likely resign. It is likely that Winston Churchill will be promoted to a Cabinet position. Lewis Harcourt will also likely be promoted, as he is universally popular and may even become Prime Minister. British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey spoke with Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who claims to be a friend of Roosevelt’s. He spoke about Asian immigration on behalf of the Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-18

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

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

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Ambassador Reid provides President Roosevelt with a variety of pieces of information regarding the status of English politics. Douglas Robinson and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson met with many different members of the royal family. Reid recounts a scandal regarding Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman, who nine months after his wife died, was engaged to her caretaker. Regardless, Campbell-Bannerman has surprised most in Parliament at his effectiveness as a leader. Reid is disappointed that Robert Bond and the Liberal Party agreed to govern the colony of Newfoundland. The U. S. government is not pleased with this agreement, and many of the other premiers disagree with the Liberal Party’s policy. In particular, Alfred Deakin, the premier of Australia, is an outspoken opponent to this policy. Additionally, many of the colonies want preference in the British markets, and may sacrifice free trade agreements to achieve this status. Next, H. H. Asquith proposed an income tax for Great Britain that will introduce a new, objectionable system of old age pensions. R. B. Haldane proposed a permanent standing army in the British colonies. Augustine Burrill’s proposed Irish Council Bill is becoming unpopular and he does not have many successes as a politician. Overall, the Liberal Party is disappointed by Campbell-Bannerman’s performance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-24

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid comments on Winston Churchill’s recent promotion to the Privy Council, noting that it acknowledges his rise in the party without giving him a seat in the Cabinet. Churchill is still not well liked. Reid relays the debates on Horace Curzon Plunkett in the House of Commons and reports on English newspaper coverage of Roosevelt’s speech at Jamestown. He comments on unease over labor relations in France, the planning of an event after the Colonial Premiers’ Conference, opposition to a proposed move for a limitation of armaments at the Hague Conference, and Lewis Harcourt’s proposed English Land Bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne, and Archibald Philip Primose, Earl of Rosebery recently gave speeches on the letters exchanged between Tweedmouth and German Emperor William II. Lansdowne feels that Tweedmouth has broadly handled the events well, although there are broader questions about whether these extra-official communications are proper. Rosebery worries about Great Britain becoming a laughingstock in the international community due to the handling of the subject by the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown