Emigration and immigration law

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Harrison Gray Otis

President Roosevelt tells General Otis in confidence that he is attempting to negotiate an agreement with Japan that would mutually exclude laborers from immigrating. He would like to restrict immigrants from the “lowest standard of living” from Europe as well. However, he believe that the Japanese already here should be treated like every other citizen, and that “the cry against them is simply nonsense.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Wilson

President Roosevelt introduces Secretary of Agriculture Wilson to social reformer and immigration investigator Frances Kellor, who may present the note in person or send it to him. Kellor has provided the president with guidance in regard to immigration laws, and “thru her agents obtains special reports on conditions affecting various Departments of the Government.” Roosevelt asks Wilson to carefully consider Kellor’s advice regarding the current investigation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Memorandum for the President

John E. Wilkie relays the contents of a cable from Secret Service Agent Taylor in Honolulu. The cable details a meeting of the Hotel Keepers Association, which opposes the new immigration law. Japanese workers are agitated, but the meeting was a “comparatively insignificant affair.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-18

Creator(s)

Wilkie, John E. (John Elbert), 1860-1934

Letter from A. Lawrence Lowell to Theodore Roosevelt

Harvard University President A. Lawrence Lowell enjoyed his visit to the White House, but missed the opportunity to speak with President Roosevelt about immigration law. Though Lowell knows Roosevelt will be too busy during his trip to Massachusetts to visit, he asks if Roosevelt could address Harvard to help students see the connection between their studies and “the battle of life.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-16

Creator(s)

Lowell, A. Lawrence (Abbott Lawrence), 1856-1943

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge asks President Roosevelt to press Senator William P. Dillingham to bring a bill to a vote. Lodge fears delay, as it might give the steamship lobby time to develop opposition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-13

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Memorandum from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte relays to President Roosevelt the language of the immigration law enabling the President to prevent the Japanese government from issuing passports for immigrants to the continental United States who first travel through other countries or United States territories and the draft executive order. Bonaparte suggests changes to the order to make it conform with the immigration law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-14

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott would support offering naturalization to Chinese and Japanese immigrants if the Japanese were not already a majority in Hawaii. Abbott feels that a law which would give the Japanese political control in a territory that is important to the United States for both military and commercial reasons would be “extremely perilous.” Abbott returns the letter from President David Starr Jordan of Stanford University and encloses an editorial on the “Japanese question.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-17

Creator(s)

Abbott, Lyman, 1835-1922

Gamblers join the boycott of American goods

An extract from the Hong Kong newspaper The World News discusses the commitment of gambling parlors and schools to the boycott of American goods, specifically American cigarettes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-30

Creator(s)

The World News

Remarks made by Frank P. Sargent at Honolulu, June 27, 1905

Commissioner Sargent delivers remarks at a dinner given by the Chinese-Consul General of Hawaii. Sargent praises the friendly relations that exist between the United States and China, yet acknowledges that the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits “certain classes of its people” from emigrating to the United States. As the two countries work towards a new treaty, Sargent hopes that “nothing will be permitted to arise which will mar the good feeling which does and should prevail between the two countries.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-27

Creator(s)

Sargent, Frank P., 1854-1908

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf discusses the procedures for implementing the Chinese exclusion law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-24

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

Enforcement of the Chinese exculsion laws – general instructions

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf issues instructions on how the Chinese exclusion laws shall be enforced including who may and may not enter the United States, how to verify status, and ramifications for improper enforcement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-24

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

Telegram from Lloyd Carpenter Griscom to John Hay

Ambassador Griscom was asked by Japanese Foreign Office officials if the Japanese peace conference delegates could be exempted from the declaration of and medical examinations of Asians required under immigration laws.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-19

Creator(s)

Griscom, Lloyd Carpenter, 1872-1959

Provisions of Chinese Exclusion Act

Detailed provisions of a Chinese Exclusion Law. Transportation lines and officials are instructed to detain Chinese until claims of admission are decided.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

Unknown

Position paper about Chinese immigration policies.

Document includes a history of legislation relating to Chinese immigration to the United States and presents reasons why new legislation, that is being proposed, would clarify and strengthen existing restrictions on Chinese immigration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

Unknown

Worse and more of it

Cartoon depicts President Roosevelt adding spikes to the top of a fence labeled Chinese Exclusion as a Chinese man looks on. Caption: John Chinaman – Melican man tears de fence down? Pres. Roosevelt- Well, no! I was just thinking of adding these.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Creator(s)

Bartholomew, Charles Lewis, 1869-1949

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John L. Belford

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Father Belford in response to his letter and campaign suggestions. Roosevelt discusses his campaign for the Progressive Party, stating that he will speak about the tariff, patent laws, and the living wage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to W. S. Boyd

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains that Roosevelt cannot help W. S. Boyd with his naturalization application due to the stringent law. It is unlikely that the law will be amended soon; if it is, it will be even stricter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-11

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Frank L. Frugone

In regards to Frank L. Frugone’s letter about the questioning of immigrants, the secretary to Theodore Roosevelt clarifies that it was a judge, not Roosevelt himself who asked the questions. The questions about immigrants’ membership to secret societies, like the Comorra Mafia-connected Black Hand, was necessary and proper. Frugone was editor of numerous Italian-language newspapers for immigrants throughout his career.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-23

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hiram Johnson

Japan is making preparations to take part in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California, and is prepared to spend large sums to be well represented. It is important to have a Japanese presence, as European participation will be low due to the war. The Japanese do not want any anti-Japanese legislation passed by the California legislature and it would be exceedingly awkward if there was hostile legislation attempted or passed during the exposition. Theodore Roosevelt hopes Governor Johnson can “stave off any action.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Norris Gillett

President Roosevelt expresses his concern to Governor Gillett of California over anti-Japanese legislation in the California Legislature. Roosevelt believes that the passing of this legislation is unnecessary and will injure relations with Japan, considering the Japanese government has upheld the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919