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Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary tells Guy D. Peck that Roosevelt thinks he was made a Master Mason in 1900.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-21
Newspaper article reporting on the concert at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of the Masonic Home of Utica which consisted of professional performers as well as children from the home dancing and performing music. The concert raised over $5,000 for the Masonic Home and the children enjoyed their trip to New York City. Letters received by William J. Wiley, superintendent of the home, are also printed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-29
Tweed Roosevelt describes the arduous process of removing an obelisk named Cleopatra’s Needle from Egypt to New York City. The project was planned and managed by Henry H. Gorringe who persuaded Theodore Roosevelt to hunt buffalo in Dakota Territory in the fall of 1883. Roosevelt explains how obelisks were constructed in ancient Egypt, and he provides a history of the two obelisks known as Cleopatra’s Needles, one of which was moved to London, England. Roosevelt details the process of moving the obelisk which included specialized rigging and lifting mechanisms, and he laments that the obelisk’s presence in New York City is virtually unknown because of its location behind buildings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Six photographs and seven illustrations, including seven depictions of the obelisk, populate the text along with a text box with poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Four books are featured in this edition of the “Books” section with a lengthy book review essay, a brief review, and two notices that act as endorsements for the respective works. In “Serge Ricard on Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy,” William N. Tilchin examines Ricard’s Theodore Roosevelt: Principles and Practice of a Foreign Policy. Tilchin notes that Ricard’s work is free of much of the ideological baggage that marked his previous work on Roosevelt’s diplomacy, and he carefully lays out the organization of the book, highlighting the main points of each part. Tilchin notes the policies and actions for which Ricard praises Roosevelt, such as his preparation of the United States Navy for war while Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and he also criticizes Ricard for some of his assertions. Tilchin concludes that Ricard’s work “is among the most ambitious and important books ever written on Roosevelt’s foreign policy.”
The section features five brief excerpts from Theodore Roosevelt: Many-Sided American and six excerpts from Nathan Miller’s biography Theodore Roosevelt: A Life. “Books” closes with an anonymous review of Matinecock Light, a history of the Oyster Bay, New York, Masonic Lodge which counted Roosevelt as one of its members. An illustration and a photograph of Roosevelt appear in the section.
Freemason John Norwood and Albert W. Talkington testify that James F. Ailshie, a candidate for a judgeship in Idaho, killed A. D. Greene. Ailshie’s later application for membership in their lodge was rejected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-16
An invitation to the Free and Accepted Masons Matinecock Lodge’s second annual banquet held at the Octagon Hotel in Oyster Bay on November 1st, 1911.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-17
Blank application form petitioning for membership in the Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and the conferring of fourth through fourteenth degrees of freemasonry. Edward H. Droop has signed the document attesting to his recommendation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909
Four elderly men wearing Masonic uniforms stand between the Masonic pillars labeled “Boaz” and “Jachin” that look like barber poles. The men are performing a song and dance routine. Caption: When one’s a Mason, However snide, / He must aprons place on And collars wide. / Then he’ll pass from “Labor” – Which is swopping grips, / With his “brother” neighbor, To “Refreshment” – nips. Conspirators’ Chorus in “la Fille de Mme. Angot” – New Version.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1882-06-14
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary believes that the clipping that Charles E. Simpson sent falsely reports Roosevelt’s statements regarding race relations. For clarification, he points Simpson toward Roosevelt’s addresses, published by both the Review of Reviews Company and P. F. Collier & Son and available at public libraries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-15
By-laws and history of Federal Lodge, No. 1, the Masonic Lodge in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
President Roosevelt addressed the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Pennsylvania upon the sesquicentennial celebration of the initiation of George Washington in Philadelphia. He spoke of the lessons that can be learned from Washington and Masonry.
1902-11-05
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Christian Register‘s reporting of Roosevelt’s activities in Provincetown. Roosevelt also discusses how he dealt with the Freemasons in Rome.
1910-05-12
President Roosevelt informs Eugene Ambrose Philbin that he would like to meet with Philbin and Monsignor Kennedy next week. Roosevelt also discusses his speech to the Masons and Masonry in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt turns down Masonic Grand Master Leon M. Abbott’s request for a speech from the former president. Roosevelt sends his emphatic regrets for not being able to participate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-12-03
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks J. C. Torbert for sending certified copies as Dwight B. Heard requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-15
Theodore Roosevelt has visited Masonic Lodges in the Azores and in Nairobi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt asserts that he was only defending himself from attacks and claims that a man is trying to use Freemasonry to Roosevelt’s political disadvantage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-03
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Reverend E. E. Jackson for his support but warns that members of the masonry are not allowed to use their connections for political gain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt tells Brother Brown the name of his Lodge and the number of years he has been a Mason.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-06
Theodore Roosevelt tells A. J. Shelley-Thompson he is pleased to accept honorary membership into the Lodge of Universal Masons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-13