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Lawrence F. Abbott praises President Roosevelt for being a true friend to the American people during his presidency. Abbott further praises Roosevelt’s farewell speech to his “Tennis Cabinet” and considers it the finest speech of Roosevelt’s career.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-02
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Cooley happily received word from Solicitor General Henry Martyn Hoyt and President Roosevelt that he “was back in the world again.” Both Ward and Elihu Root have promised to assist him with navigating the incoming administration, and Cooley and his wife, Susan Dexter Dalton Cooley, are grateful for the support of their many friends. He finds the end of Roosevelt’s presidency bittersweet, and wishes that the entire “Tennis Cabinet” could keep their jobs. He is very sorry that Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Secretary of the Interior James Rudolf Garfield will likely “not be retained.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
John E. Wilkie reports on the recent debates in the House Committee on Appropriations surrounding the Secret Service’s payment and involvement in land fraud cases. Wilkie outlines and refutes the claims made by some committee members, including Representatives John A. Tawney, Joseph S. Sherley, and William I. Smith. He concludes with the observation that the committee members “alone were responsible” for the state of Congress and that “no executive officer” is to blame.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-08
Major Henry T. Allen sends Adjutant General of the United States Army, Fred C. Ainsworth, a statement of facts in connection with the relief of the Second Squadron, 8th Cavalry, from duty in Yellowstone National Park. Allen explains the history of how the squadron came to serve at Yellowstone, the conditions while they were there, and the generally how the squadron had been received. Allen quotes from several letters mentioning his conduct specifically, as well as that of the squadron, which commend the efforts of both.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-12
Robert Underwood Johnson thanks President Roosevelt for his harsh words regarding Joseph Pulitzer, and expresses disbelief that Columbia College would accept the promise of money to fund a school of journalism “from such a knave.” Johnson and his wife look forward to meeting Roosevelt and his wife at Vice President Charles Fairbank’s house soon. Johnson’s differing opinion regarding Hetch Hetchy has been communicated to Roosevelt, Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot, and Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield previously, and he warns that the matter will not end soon and will continue to grow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
Senator Lodge relays numbers from the Massachusetts canvass to President Roosevelt. They suggest that William H. Taft will win by the about the same majority that Roosevelt won in 1904. Lodge spoke with Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield about the concerns of the New York Republicans. He understands why they are concerned, but notes that they have not conducted a canvass of their own. Lodge believes that the silence from labor men indicates that they are intending to vote for Taft, but are keeping quiet out of fear of Samuel Gompers and the Democrats.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
In accordance with Land Office Commissioner Fred Dennett’s request, Arthur J. Leonard has left him a written application for his transfer. Dennett will take the matter up with Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield on Thursday and notes that Garfield may object to the salary. Leonard asks William Loeb to speak to Garfield about him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-13
Senator Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow have recovered the coin that President Roosevelt sent. Lodge thinks it is a great success. Lodge clarifies the situation regarding Boston Surveyor of the Port Jeremiah J. McCarthy. McCarthy opposes the installation of Moses B. Mann as Deputy Surveyor and feels that he should be able to choose the man to fill the position because he worked for William H. Taft. Lodge discusses the election and says that he wants Charles Evans Hughes to be elected New York governor. He believes that the situation for Republicans is good, both nationally and in Massachusetts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-13
Alexander Lambert details his recent goat hunt in the mountains for President Roosevelt. Lambert has responded to Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield with his honest opinion about Yellowstone National Park. Although Lambert does not have legal evidence, he details William H. Wright’s observations on the military custodians and the diminishing bear population. Lambert inquires about scheduling for his visit, and will discuss the details further in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-29
Knowing the Yellowstone stagecoach robberies will be highly publicized, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park S. B. M. Young wants President Roosevelt to hear the details from him. Young enumerates the events preceding and following the robberies, including the park’s soldiers’ failure to respond. Young cannot remain superintendent where his authority is ignored, and he is powerless to enforce rules. He fears for the park’s welfare if it is continued to be used as a military reservation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
Senator Bourne argues that President Roosevelt must run for another term as President, using excerpts of letters, newspaper clipping, and his own strong opinion on the matter to convince Roosevelt not to leave office at this critical point in history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-07
Frank Ross McCoy reports on activities in Yosemite National Park, hoping to remind President Roosevelt of the “fine work and sport of the summertime.” John Muir, Joseph N. LeConte, and other members of the Sierra Club have said that the change in the valley has been very positive since it became part of the national park this year. The superintendent, Harry Coupland Benson, knows the park well and is popular with the Sierra Club. McCoy describes the park rangers and some encounters with grizzly bears, noting he found the instinct to shoot very strong but felt “stern duty’s restraining hand.” McCoy says Interior Secretary James R. Garfield came and went in a flurry, mentioning that he finds Roosevelt’s cabinet officers showing up everywhere to be “inspiring,” now that he has experienced it in the Philippines, Cuba, and the United States. McCoy offers his thoughts on race relations between the Californians and Japanese, as well as the attitudes of people on the West Coast regarding the Great White Fleet. McCoy regrets he cannot conduct Roosevelt and his family personally through the park.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-07
Puerto Rico Governor Post tells President Roosevelt that he is having a dinner for men who have previously served in Puerto Rico. He would like Roosevelt to join, and to let Governor Beekman Winthrop know.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-06
Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about several matters he did not have time to speak with him about today. First, he has “serious objections” to Senator William Edgar Borah’s suggestion of a temporary judicial appointment. Until Bonaparte knows more about the situation, he will have “grave misgivings” about Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich and Judge Edward Whitson. However, Bonaparte does believe that N. M. Ruick will not cause a scandal as long as he does not know or suspect that he will lose his position. Second, Bonaparte spoke with Alford Warriner Cooley about Roosevelt’s desire to appoint Samuel L. Williams, a black man, as district attorney in Chicago, per Booker T. Washington’s recommendation. Edwin Walter Sims, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, reported favorably about Williams to Bonaparte, and he recommends the nomination. Finally, Timothy L. Woodruff spoke with Bonaparte about Wyoming Senator Frank W. Mondell’s draft of a bill that would amend the coal-land-laws. Bonaparte entertains “very grave doubts” about giving amnesty to large corporations that break the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that Indiana Senator James A. Hemenway may use the appointment of a new Public Printer as an attack on the administration, and asks Roosevelt to hold off on a decision until Taft can consult with other cabinet members on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03
Seth Low forwards President Roosevelt a letter from Samuel Gompers, and comments on discussions he has recently had with many people about a bill currently under consideration. The present bill is very important to both the business and labor community, and Low is trying to navigate between the two forces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-07
Seth Low is enclosing copies of a speech he made at Charles Evans Hughes’s dinner. Thanks to Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, he was able to make arrangements for Representative William Peters Hepburn to introduce their resolution to the House, as well as to the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Inter-State Commerce. Hearings for the Senate Committee are already scheduled and they hope to have the House Committee hearings the same day. Cannon also told Low that although he previously opposed allowing railroads to pool, now he feels that something like that must be tried. They have been encouraged to prepare bills to express their views, so Herbert Knox Smith and Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield will take up the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-04
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on a variety of cases the Administration has in courts. First, Civil Service Commissioner Alford Warriner Cooley is reluctant to travel to Colorado or Oregon because two cases relating to civil service law will be tried in the Supreme Court soon. Second, Bonaparte has sent a report about a scandal involving New Mexico judge Daniel Hugh McMillan to New Mexico, as the report damages only McMillan. Bonaparte has also arranged for Thomas Carl Spelling and L. Allison Wilmer to prepare and conduct cases against coal-carrying roads under the Hepburn Act. Finally, Bonaparte encloses a communication relating to matters regarding the Alaska Syndicate and the Morgan-Guggenheim interests in Alaska. A dispute between Senator Simon Guggenheim and Governor Wilford B. Hoggatt over land rights of railroads has led to bloodshed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-08
Secretary of War Taft writes that the note from Governor Albert Baird Cummins indicated “a desire to be counted on the side of the Lord.” He called on Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou to try to straighten up the situation between them, and discussed the matter with Cortelyou’s wife, who was home at the time. He wonders what William Loeb would think of Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock, and says Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield will talk to Roosevelt about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-20
Commissioner Francis E. Leupp informs William Loeb about a trader in the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota who has been taking advantage of Native Americans through his trading. Leupp asks Loeb to speak to President Roosevelt informally about the situation, especially because Egbert J. DeBell has spoken to South Dakota Senator Robert J. Gamble. Leupp requests that Roosevelt not interfere, or at the very least, reach out to Leupp for a report. Thus far, Leupp has informed DeBell that his trading license will be revoked in the coming months and has tasked two men, including Charles L. Davis, with looking into the DeBell situation and traders’ accounts in general.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-12