Your TR Source
President Roosevelt asks Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou for advice regarding keeping Minister David E. Thompson in Brazil once the United States legation in Brazil becomes an embassy. Roosevelt believes this is better than sending Thompson to Mexico because he understands Thompson has interests in the mines in Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-31
President Roosevelt encourages Edward North Buxton to attend the inauguration with his daughter, although Roosevelt cannot invite him to stay at the White House. The president tells Buxton to write soon about accommodations and says he will be glad to give Buxton a personal letter for the commandant in Yellowstone Park so that Buxton’s daughter can photograph wild animals. Roosevelt promises to help Buxton outfit the camping trip when Buxton says he will definitely use it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-22
President Roosevelt received Ambassador Sternburg’s personal note about the death of King George of Saxony and was saddened to learn of his passing. Roosevelt expresses his “profound condolences” to the government of Saxony and his “heartfelt sympathy” to Sternburg who has served his entire active military career under King George. Roosevelt tells Sternburg that Henry Percival Dodge, Charge d’Affaires ad interim at Berlin, was instructed to attend the funeral as the U.S. representative and to express the country’s and Roosevelt’s “condolence and sorrow.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-19
Bernard Goldsmith, a friend of President Roosevelt and recommended by Ambassador White, has a statement on the “suitable accommodation to the proper position and influence of the American Embassy at Berlin.” Roosevelt would like John Hay to discuss the matter with Goldsmith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-01
Ambassador to France Henry White expresses regret that President Roosevelt was unable to secure funding from Congress for the construction of four battleships. He praises Roosevelt’s handling of the controversy surrounding German Emperor William II’s dislike of the new American Ambassador to Germany, David Jayne Hill. White also offers his assessment of H. H. Asquith, the new British Prime Minister, and updates Roosevelt on the Trevelyans, with whom he recently dined. Includes handwritten original and typed copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-19
Ambassador White updates President Roosevelt on his recent activities. White was supposed to have gone on a trip with French President Armand Fallières and Admiral Charles H. Stockton to review the United States naval squadron in Bordeaux, but due to potential protests in southern France, the trip was cancelled and Stockton and his officers were hosted at the President’s Palace and Ministry of the Navy instead. The Japanese Navy will meet the American squadron at Cherbourg, and Stockton will entertain the Japanese admiral and officers there. The French press has been trying to push the idea of war between the United States and Japan. J. J. Jusserand, French Ambassador to the United States, is visiting and is very eager about the new French embassy in the United States, a “sore subject” for White, as he has had trouble finding a suitable house in Paris. White says he will write a separate letter concerning American embassy buildings in the “leading capitals.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
First Assistant Secretary of State Bacon writes to William Loeb in response to a question that President Theodore Roosevelt has about if the American flag should be displayed at American embassies, legates, and consulates. In response, Bacon states that the American flag only needs to fly during special ceremonies, and he uses Mexico as an example of the American flag being unfurled only during holidays.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-20
Ambassador O’Brien informs Secretary of State Root that the early change to the British Ambassador in Washington has stirred much conversation in the British press and among its officials. An editorial in the London Telegraph stated that whomever succeeded H. Mortimer Durand would have to be “as popular and effective as” German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg and French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand. The Foreign Office thinks the new appointee should come from outside present diplomatic service members but O’Brien supposes it will be someone from within the current service and describes Sir Alan Johnstone’s qualifications. Johnstone was British Ambassador to Denmark.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
Henry White, ambassador to Italy, explains to President Roosevelt that he accepted an invitation to dinner with Francis MacNutt, chamberlain to the Vatican, before he knew of the charges against MacNutt. He has had no further contact with MacNutt and will continue to avoid such contact. White also discusses the importance of a bill to authorize the purchasing of embassy houses in foreign countries. Especially in Rome, where real estate is in high demand, such a purchase would allow the U.S. to stand alongside other great powers. Finally, White congratulates Roosevelt on his daughter Alice’s engagement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-28
Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about events in England following news of the death of Secretary of State John Hay, including the Fourth of July reception held by the embassy there. Reid shares information about the Kings of England and Spain and hopes that she will share the news with President Roosevelt. Reid also expresses some nervousness about speeches being printed verbatim in Europe, and remarks about the volume of speeches he is asked to give. He includes several songs that were sung at gatherings he attended.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-10
President-Elect Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has written to Senators Eugene Hale, Shelby M. Cullom, Philander C. Knox, and George C. Perkins about the matter of establishing an embassy in China. Taft believes that if Roosevelt writes to Perkins and Cullom, they might be convinced. He hopes that they will be able to “steal a march” on Secretary of State Elihu Root and get this embassy established quickly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-24