Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt sends his thanks and acknowledgments to George Otto Trevelyan. Roosevelt sends along copies of two of his speeches so that Trevelyan can see what Roosevelt actually said. Roosevelt thoroughly enjoyed Trevelyan’s last volume and feels that the reactionaries in the United States are just as bad as England’s.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-28
Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he is unable to write anything further regarding his attitude towards Canada. Roosevelt considers himself a friend of Canada and believes he has proven it through his actions and words.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to the Board of Directors of the New York County Lawyers’ Association regarding a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would provide that no court or judge shall hereafter declare any legislative enactment unconstitutional. Roosevelt discusses the history of this power, and finds the proposed amendment to have troubling implications, but argues for a possible solution to its problems. Roosevelt quotes from Professor Thayer’s book Life of Marshall to support his arguments. Roosevelt’s main argument is that the limitations on the legislative branch of government must be more precisely defined, and some body of government must be able to give the legislature authority to act above its limitations in case of emergency, but that the courts may not be the best body for this, since this draws them necessarily into political partisanship. Roosevelt proposes instead a Constitutional Council composed of ex-judges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt comments on John St. Loe Strachey’s editorials on Roosevelt’s attempts as governor of New York, as president, and as a political figure to “strengthen the bonds of good will, regard, and sympathy” between the United States and England. He also talks on his former statements about the office of the presidency – how, if he had explicitly stated that he did not believe in a president’s holding a consecutive third term, then all his enemies would have believed he was announcing his bid for a second term before the first had finished. Likewise, Roosevelt believes that he could not honorably back out of his current presidential campaign due to a desire for moderate progress akin to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Pitt, Thomas Babington Macaulay, and the Whigs of the reform bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
If possible, Theodore Roosevelt asks Charles Scribner’s Sons to send a copy of Fletcher’s most recent work on English history by Tuesday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Carter H. Fitz-Hugh for sharing the editorial. He comments on arbitration treaties. Roosevelt believes the current relations between England and the United States make war unlikely. However, the current actions of other countries, such as Italy, in foreign regions show that treaties are worthless if they are not backed by force.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
Frederic J. Paxon asks Theodore Roosevelt for his views on John E. White’s statements regarding arbitration and the interpretation of Roosevelt’s position on international treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-14
Theodore Roosevelt has enjoyed H. Rider Haggard’s book Rural Denmark. He agrees with Haggard regarding the land and those who live on it. Roosevelt comments on settlement patterns and their relations to agriculture and English speaking, as seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. He compares the seemingly transient English settlers in East Africa with the Boers. While Denmark has done well, Roosevelt was puzzled by a particular “queer social growth” during his visit. He understands Haggard’s discouragement in trying to teach people “what is vital for them to learn and what they refuse to learn,” and advises him to approach the task. Roosevelt apologizes for writing “an unconscionably long letter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt attempts to write Sir George Otto a “journal letter” of his European trip as Otto suggested but gives up because Roosevelt finds it difficult to relate the experiences without “continually talking about [himself].” Roosevelt is instead more interested in Otto and England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-24
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with the photograph Eleanor Corbett sent and welcomes the Corbett family to Sagamore Hill whenever they visit from England. Roosevelt shares that his neighbor is in East Africa on a lion hunt and reminds Roosevelt of his lion hunt. He also includes a book review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates M. R. Chodat’s courtesy in sending “the very beautiful volume on the ‘Jubilee of the University in 1909’.” He deeply appreciates Chodat’s courtesy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt replies to W. Robert Foran and expresses concern about Foran’s career prospects. After speaking with Kermit Roosevelt, he agrees that there are few prospects in the newspaper business and suggests Foran’s unique skills would make a good match for the Canadian Mounted Police.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt tells Leslie J. Tarlton that D. T. Abercrombie will attend to the cartridges and send him some from Tritton. Tarlton is to let Roosevelt know if they are satisfactory, as he experienced some issues with the Holland and Springfield cartridges on his African trip. Roosevelt has just written to Kermit who is at Harvard and will be interested to know what Karitura’s language was. He believes Kermit is homesick but growing up at Harvard. They speak often of the Africa trip, and Roosevelt would like to face another big-maned lion. He is irritated with William Bailey Howland for not going to England as it was fair to no one. Roosevelt sympathizes with Tarlton for having so many shooting parties to attend at once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Cherry Kearton in order to introduce Edward B. Clark, a newspaper writer and ornithologist, whom Roosevelt calls a “fine fellow.” Roosevelt asks if Kearton might advise Clark on the best places to observe the various birds of England. Roosevelt also asks Kearton to tell his brother, Richard Kearton, how pleased Roosevelt was by his African pictures, which he hopes will be reproduced in book form.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt will see F. V. Greene when he returns. He admires Greene’s enclosures but has two suggestions, which he discusses at length. First, Greene only needs to state that King of Prussia Frederick II’s approbation of George Washington seems to be a myth, as he never showed interest in Washington or the American Struggle. Roosevelt comments on Helmuth Moltke’s opinion of the Civil War and how France could have implemented similar cavalry tactics. His second suggestion is that it is incorrect to say that America’s action in the peace settlement of the Russo-Japanese War did not produce the current hostile relationships with Russia and Japan. He discusses the other factors involved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
Theodore Roosevelt has received the first two volumes of Ambassador Bryce’s “classic” work. He remembers reading the proofs of the first edition thirty years ago while in the state legislature. Roosevelt agrees with Bryce that things are better than they were then. Roosevelt invites the ambassador and his wife to the White House so they can discuss the conditions of their countries the next time Bryce visits New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-10
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary received C. W. Wallace’s letter and explains that it cannot be forwarded as Roosevelt’s address is uncertain as he travels. Additionally, Roosevelt has received numerous similar invitations and does not want to make arrangements while out of the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-02-19
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary received the letter from the Internationale Hygiene-Ausstellung and explains that it cannot be forwarded as Roosevelt’s address is uncertain as he travels. However, they can write to Roosevelt again during his visit to their country, Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-02-19
President Roosevelt clarifies for Ambassador Reid that on his African safari, he intends only to shoot specimens for the National Museum, with the exception of half a dozen trophies for himself, if he is able to shoot extras under his license. He discusses at length is plans for traveling through Europe following the safari. He accepts that he will have to see various heads of state in the countries he visits, and informs Reid that he will be delivering the Romanes lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt approves of the Japanese plan to postpone their international exposition until 1917 and wants to help them “put a good face” on the situation. He agrees with Reid’s assessment of various incidents at the Olympic games. However, Roosevelt stresses that all public statements about the Olympics should be positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt asks Frederick Courteney Selous for advice about which provisions and supplies he should select for his African safari and whether they should be sent from England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-21