Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is grateful for Edwin R. A. Seligman’s letter about Philippine independence and will use the idea in his acceptance letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt mentions an anecdote from Edith Wharton and asks if it is any wonder that England tends to fall back under the stress of modern life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-06
President Roosevelt writes to Elihu Root about whether Germany or England should “act as the policeman of the Caribbean.” Roosevelt also shares that General Leonard Wood is frustrated about not being put in command of the Philippines. Roosevelt suggests that Root stress the need to prevent change in the work being done in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-07
President Roosevelt gives Cecil Spring Rice his assessment on the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt is not concerned with the emergence of Japan as a world power and does not think that Japan will become more aggressive. Roosevelt is concerned that Russia must be contained, but insists to Spring Rice that the U.S. has no intention of intervening in the war. In a postscript, Roosevelt discusses the differences between Japanese and American culture and diplomacy, and reflects on race and culture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
President Roosevelt says that Cecil Spring Rice’s recent letter about the Russo-Japanese war interested him. Roosevelt admires much about the Russians but thinks that they can never be successful with such a despotic government in place; while the Japanese, though “non-Aryan and non-Christian,” have a less despotic government and so are more successful at the present time. The United States intends to remain neutral in the conflict, but Americans generally sympathize with the Russians. If the Japanese win, the world “will have to reckon with a great new force in eastern Asia.” However, Roosevelt believes that the war will end in a stalemate which will not allow “the creation of either a yellow peril or a Slav peril.” While Roosevelt does not believe that either England or the United States are in immediate danger, it does concern him that neither have much military experience. Roosevelt closes by urging Spring Rice to bring his wife as soon as they are married, and says that it will be fun to host them at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-19
This newspaper article discusses Germany’s increasing prosperity and rapid population growth, including statistics for birth and death rates. A comparison is made to England and/or the United Kingdom.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
President Roosevelt defends the settlement of the Alaska boundary dispute and comments on Lord Alverstone’s actions in the matter. Roosevelt believes that if all the arbitrators had been judges, as suggested by Arthur Hamilton Lee, the Canadians would have received even less territory due to the weakness of their claims.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-07
President Roosevelt rejects the argument that Panama declaring independence from Colombia is a similar situation to the secession of Southern states before the American Civil War. Roosevelt believes that Colombia acted in bad faith during the treaty negotiations and ratification. As such, the United States owes nothing to Colombia “in law or in morals.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-30
President Roosevelt congratulates Arthur H. Lee on his promotion and believes that England and America should be pleased with the Alaska boundary settlement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-09
President Roosevelt is glad to hear from his cousin, Matilda Moxley Elliott. Roosevelt has recently heard from Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, who is having a lovely time in England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-18
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt has not regretted his position until now, as it makes it difficult to visit James Bryce. He has not seen his family in six weeks but cannot leave until Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long returns. Roosevelt wants to entertain Bryce at Sagamore Hill and discuss the foreign policy of the United States and England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-10
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Long that he issued the order to Francis T. Bowles and will think over the proposition to abolish the Yards and Docks by merging it with the Bureau of Construction and Repair. He discusses his initial thoughts that the plan is undesirable and comments on the question of dry docks and the matter of torpedo boats. Roosevelt believes sending French Ensor Chadwick to England to learn about naval administration would be beneficial. He will be with the squadron next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-04
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with Captain Mahan about both Hawaii and foreign policy generally. Roosevelt worries about Japan, and feels that the United States should increase its military presence in the Pacific Ocean. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has spoken with President William McKinley on this topic and “pressed his views upon him with all his strength.” Roosevelt additionally mentions his worries about the international situation in the West Indies. He believes the United States should increase its presence and make sure that no strong European power is allowed to gain a foothold there. The institutional resistance to the build-up of the Navy annoys Roosevelt. He comments to Mahan, however, that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long agrees with the two of them about Hawaii, and that he hopes for positive action on that front.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-03
Carl Ethan Akeley assures Theodore Roosevelt that R. J. Cunninghame is all right and on his way to England, and intends to do some “big game” shooting on the Continent. The news of Cunninghame was brought by Max C. Fleischmann, who just returned from Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-23
The Taft administration is prepared to accept Lodge’s resolution that will allow the Senate to “pass on the arbitrability of a question.” Senator Lodge is pleased with providing the Senate with this level of control even though it “makes the treaties of little value.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-10
Peder O. Evensen believes President William H. Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox need to “press the peace plan to European nations”; otherwise, they “shall forget their promises.” He is certain that war between European nations will occur. Evensen comments on the “standpatters” and their dishonorable reliance on the nation having money rather than armaments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-30
William N. Freeman tells Frank Harper he is writing a lecture on “The Romance of American Democracy” he will expand into a book, and while he received Harper’s previous letter inviting him to visit The Outlook office to shake hands with Theodore Roosevelt, Freeman says he will wait to do so until he has his book completed in hand to give to Roosevelt for review. He shares a quote that praises Roosevelt from his lecture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-17
William Alex. Sutherland thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his response regarding a manuscript titled The Daydreams of Asia, Europe, and America, and discusses the challenges of publishing in India. He expresses hope that the book may be of interest to American readers due to its political and cultural insights, particularly on India’s global role, Anglo-American heritage, and future world events.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-07
N. L. Rockey writies to Theodore Roosevelt about his time in India, and encloses something that he believes no one else would send to him pertaining to the matter between Egypt and England. Rockey notes the tendency of the local population to self-identify as Hindus, Muslims etc. rather than Indian, and sees this as a contributor to the current political unrest in the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-31
Frederic Jesup Stimson and Minister Maurice Francis Egan have been having “a bully time” together. He wonders whether Theodore Roosevelt received the copy of his book “Popular Law-making”. Stimson is going to Russia to see Ambassador Curtis Guild. He likely will not see Roosevelt for some time, but he wishes him the best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-18