Your TR Source
Thomas Phillips, “a sincere theatrical friend,” jokes about The Outlook selling its pencils and comments that Albany does not like Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-20
Elizabeth Marion Ashton Bryce asks Theodore Roosevelt about arranging for her and her husband, Ambassador James Bryce, to visit his office or Oyster Bay, New York later on in April.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-19
Endicott Peabody thoroughly agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s article, “Race Decadence.” He comments on how surprised other travelers are by his five daughters. Peabody declares that Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt need to visit at Groton in the fall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-17
John Campbell Greenway is disappointed Theodore Roosevelt cannot visit him in Bisbee, Arizona. He will try to join Roosevelt in El Paso, Texas. Bisbee’s City Council and Mayor Charles L. Edmundson sent Roosevelt an invitation on a copper plate but have not received a reply. Greenway suggests Roosevelt respond as they are “feeling slightly hurt.” He enjoys living in Arizona and updates Roosevelt on fellow Rough Riders Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and David M. Goodrich.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-31
William H. H. Llewellyn was pleased with Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and can authoritatively say that the people of New Mexico are excited to entertain Theodore Roosevelt in Albuquerque. He comments on United States Attorney David Leahy’s accomplishments and the recently approved New Mexican constitution. Llewellyn discusses his new law partner, Edward L. Medler, and his recent casework. He asks Roosevelt if he has seen the article about himself in The Craftsman and assures that despite any negative press, his principles are correct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-28
Oscar S. Straus appreciated Theodore Roosevelt’s speech at the Astor and sends Marshall’s paper on the American passport. He and his wife, Sarah L. Straus, soon leave for their month-long trip to Panama. Straus offers to accompany Roosevelt on his upcoming trips. Straus expresses his deep affection for Roosevelt as a private citizen: “if you were my own brother I could not love you more.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
William C. Braisted and his wife, Lillian Braisted, greatly appreciate Theodore Roosevelt’s New Year’s greetings and express their sincere attachment to Roosevelt and his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-25
Joseph Bucklin Bishop thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the “grateful and sustaining words” given at Harvard. Colonel George W. Goethals is also pleased with Roosevelt’s tribute to Bishop and wishes he could appoint him as his executive officer. However, President William H. Taft thought it unwise but assured Bishop of a worthy position once he ensured the bill abolishing the Isthmian Canal Commission passed. Yet, like with most of his promises, Taft changed his mind, and the bill will not be passed. Bishop discusses the disturbing reports of political scheming regarding appointing a new commissioner and governor of the Canal Zone. Goethals declared such things would not happen if Roosevelt were president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Mother Mary Paul Murphy forgot to ask Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt to give Theodore Roosevelt a message from F. A. Knowles, who called on him in London but never heard back. Murphy explains that her recall from Uganda was unexpected and reflects on Roosevelt’s visit. She asks him to call her so she can hear his voice before she leaves New York City. Murphy sends her love to Edith and Kermit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Japanese embassy secretary Hioki expresses his sincere greetings to Theodore Roosevelt as a tribute of their friendship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-01
Florence Anne Cole Delamere is on holiday in Great Britain but has left her husband, Hugh Cholmondeley Delamere, in charge of things. She wishes she could see Theodore Roosevelt but is busy spending time with her son. However, she “can’t tell you what a difference it has made to me just having known you” and hopes to introduce her son to Roosevelt one day. Delamere comments that American politics are not “as bad as our party system.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-26
Anna Roosevelt Cowles regards Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Hartford, Connecticut, as one of the best Christmas gifts. She is grateful it was on one of her better days when she was “not quite as cripply” and so was really able to enjoy their time together. Everyone else also enjoyed his visit. She is sorry William S. Cowles did not get into the legislature and fears it will be a hard winter since he has no work and she is “not as companionable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-20
Justice Clarke acknowledges the tenth anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt appointing him to the Supreme Court of New York, a life-changing event. He wants Roosevelt to know that he still has the same warm and personal affection for him. Clarke read Roosevelt’s African articles with interest and followed his European tour with pride. Clarke discusses a possible additional term and what it is like serving as a justice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-21
Charles G. Washburn hopes his and Theodore Roosevelt’s sons remain good friends and has thought of Roosevelt during these “very trying” months of conflicting suggestions for his political involvement. He suggests the recent unrest results from a new post-Civil War generation trying to find its identity. Washburn wants Roosevelt to write a history of his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-23
Anna Roosevelt Cowles asks Theodore Roosevelt if he can visit her before or after the dinner in New Haven, Connecticut. Otherwise, she will not see him until spring as traveling is difficult. If she wants to remain at her home during the winter, she must stay mostly inside. Her family is well, and William Sheffield Cowles enjoyed his first Boy Scout meeting. Cowles shares a letter from Caroline Drayton about her loyalty to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-06
Senator Lodge asks Theodore Roosevelt to have his secretary send a copy of the statement about his work for the railroad men and the material from Moseley to Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner. Lodge is glad that The Sun is focused on assailing Governor-elect Eugene Foss instead of him and that the situation in Massachusetts is improving. He reports that John Ellerton Lodge is doing better.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-09
Anna Roosevelt Cowles wishes she could visit with everyone at Sagamore Hill. She comments on the newspapers’ blaming Theodore Roosevelt for the various Democratic majorities. Her family is settling for the winter. William Sheffield Cowles enjoys public school and spending time with his friend Cameron McRae Winslow. Anna is trying to start a Boy Scout group. She reports that politically, Connecticut is “chastened and entangled” with Simeon E. Baldwin for Governor, and the Senatorial fight still rages.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-11-14
Anna Roosevelt Cowles now realizes what Theodore Roosevelt went through and accomplished since returning from his Western trip. Her family has settled again in New England, and William Sheffield Cowles is enjoying 8th grade at a public school. She gets many letters about Roosevelt and sends one from a young woman with health issues who wrote a story about Indians in the Grand Canyon. Cowles reports that Joseph W. Alsop’s nomination was successful. She admonishes Roosevelt not to respond as she knows he is busy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-10-02
Arthur Lee thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the copy of African Game Trails. Campaign exhaustion has prevented him from writing, especially the platform speaking, which upsets his nerves. He discusses the United Kingdom’s frustrating general elections and wishes Roosevelt could help. Hopefully, Roosevelt can bring about President William H. Taft’s renomination. Lee urges Roosevelt to take an extended holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-09
Ambassador Jusserand sends Theodore Roosevelt Christmas wishes and hopes for his continued safety. He informs Roosevelt of his election to the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences on his own merits, with no opposing votes. Jusserand shares an incident of a mother cat saving her kitten from a caged tiger. Roosevelt’s letter was delightful and complemented his articles in Scribner’s Magazine, which everyone follows with interest. He does not have much to comment on regarding internal politics other than that he deplores the quarrel between Gifford Pinchot and Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger. Jusserand updates Roosevelt on several of their friends. Ambassador to France Robert Bacon was recently injured in a fall from his horse before leaving for his assignment. A letter “full of pleasant chattering” from Justice Alford Cooley hints at a possible improvement in health. Secretary of the Navy George von Lengerke Meyer and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop are trying to capture Jose Santos Zelaya in Nicaragua. While Henry Cabot Lodge and Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge are in good physical health, they still mourn for their son George “Bay” Cabot Lodge, especially on Christmas. Jusserand includes a newspaper clipping on Roosevelt’s election to the Academy and part of a political cartoon featuring Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-12-25