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Correspondence related to a request by the municipal council of the pueblo of Lubao for the removal of Galo de la Calle, an Augustinian Friar who is attempting to take charge of the local parish.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-29
Resolution from the St. Catherine of Sienna branch of the Holy Name Society decrying the treatment of friars in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-13
Secretary of War Taft disagrees with Bishop Rooker regarding the threat posed by Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente to the Philippine government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-22
President Roosevelt thinks that William Comerford fails to understand the “bitter indignation” of the Catholic Filipinos and Philippine priests against the friars. After consulting with leading Filipino Catholics, it was decided to try and purchase the friars’ lands with the condition that the friars leave the islands. This seemed the best way to appease Filipino Catholics and do justice to the Catholic Church. If no agreement is reached, the government has no power to force the friars to leave the islands or force the parishes to accept the friars. The Roosevelt administration is doing its best “to safeguard all the rights of all religious people, clerical or lay, in the Philippines.” (Copy of this letter was marked “Void – not sent.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-16
President Roosevelt informs Governor Taft that he will speak with Cardinal Gibbons regarding the influence of the friars on the Filipino movement for a church independent of the Catholic Church. Roosevelt requests Taft’s opinon on the effect of Apolinario Mabini’s return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-26
President Roosevelt writes to Governor General of the Philippines Taft to discuss the agitation among American Catholics regarding the friars in the Philippines. Opposition to Archbishop John Ireland and the schools have complicated the political situation and could be damaging during the congressional elections. Roosevelt hopes that Luke E. Wright can succeed Taft as Governor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-29
President Roosevelt writes to James D. Fox to discuss the opposition from Filipino Catholics against the Spanish friars in the Philippines. Roosevelt believes the United States should purchase the friars’ lands.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-18
President Roosevelt was not surprised by Bishop Rooker’s letter since he had already heard of the conflict between Rooker and the Filipinos, as well as the American government officials. Many people have contradicted what Rooker said and Roosevelt hopes that the Catholic prelates in the Philippines can convince the Filipinos that they are their friends and not their enemies like the friars who preceded them. Roosevelt has taken steps to create a special tribunal regarding the Aglipayan quarrel, disregards Rooker’s “groundless” claims against Commissioner Smith and is committed to increasing Filipino independence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-22
President Roosevelt informs Archbishop John Ireland that Secretary of War Taft is arranging a special court for the church property cases in the Philippines. Roosevelt expresses his appreciation for the “great service to the country” that Ireland has given.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-03
President Roosevelt defends General Smith, Governor Taft, and the education policies in the Philippines against attacks from Dr. Barrows and Mrs. Beattie.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-08
President Roosevelt finds the friar question “puzzling” and would like to know what John Thomas McDonough thinks of the offer for the friars’ lands. Roosevelt wants to act with absolute fairness and is not concerned with political considerations or the opinions of “misguided” Catholics and Protestants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-11
President Roosevelt introduces Bishop Dougherty, the new bishop of Nueva Segovia. Dougherty is concerned about the failed removal of the friars and the lack of financial resources for American church authorities in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-05
President Roosevelt is concerned over rumors of a resumed “pro-Friar agitation.” Any American endorsement of the friars would greatly annoy Filipinos, alienate Filipinos from the Catholic Church, and damage public opinion in the United States. Roosevelt requests that Archbishop Ireland write to Judge John Thomas McDonough on the matter. He intends to discuss with Secretary of State John Hay a “message of congratulations to the new Pontiff.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-31
President Roosevelt defends William H. Taft’s support of the Federal Party in the Philippines. The Federal Party is anti-friar, but more importantly they are against the insurrection. Roosevelt has been accused of being too favorable to the Catholic Church and believes that Filipinos moving away from Catholicism is due to antagonism against the friars.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-29
President Roosevelt warns against divisions among the American representatives in the Philippines regarding the “friar business” and asks John Thomas McDonough to work towards an agreement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-29
President Roosevelt explains why he supported William Michael Byrne and gives George Kennan permission to show the relevant letters on Byrne to Lyman Abbott.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-30
President Roosevelt defends his reappointment of William Michael Byrne as District Attorney in Delaware.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-26
President Roosevelt believes that William Michael Byrne is a good District Attorney and he was one of the few Catholics to support the administration on the friar question in the Philippines. Roosevelt plans to make appointments in Delaware without regard to the Republican factions in the state. Roosevelt would like to speak with Lyman Abbott on “the question of the Colored race.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-21
President Roosevelt wants to move forward on the friars issue because the Catholic population and most of the Catholic authorities are against the friars. Roosevelt also supports Governor Taft’s plans regarding schools in the Philippines. Taft has been previously considered for appointment to the Supreme Court and Roosevelt would like to have him appointed because he believes that Taft can do more good in the Supreme Court than as governor of the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-21
There has been a great deal of Catholic opposition in the United States to William H. Taft’s negotiations with the Holy See regarding the withdrawal of the friars from the Philippines. President Roosevelt fears that the situation will be damaging politically but understands that little can currently be done. Roosevelt agrees that teachers in the Philippines should not express their religious preferences and he does not want any more clergymen appointed as teachers. Roosevelt would also like to appoint a Catholic to the Philippine Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-31