Gleeson, Matthew C. (Matthew Carlin), 1870-1927

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Department of State

President Roosevelt directs the Department of State to refer to the concluding part of his letter of April 10 regarding documentation of the incident with Governor of Jamaica James Alexander Swettenham. Roosevelt instructs that the reports from those involved, including Admiral Robley D. Evans, Rear Admiral C. H. Davis, Father Mathew Carlin Gleeson, the ship surgeon, and all officers, be readied for publication. At some point, the affair “may see the light,” in Great Britain, and Roosevelt wants “immediately to produce our whole case in answer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Gibbons

President Roosevelt tells Cardinal Gibbons that he is not aware of a current vacancy in the Catholic chaplains. He will give Father Doran careful consideration, but he also likes a Boston priest that has been recommended and would like Gibbons’s opinion on two or three candidates when a vacancy occurs. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-23

Report from C. H. Davis to Victor Howard Metcalf

Rear Admiral Davis submits a report to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf about his actions at Jamaica, providing relief following an earthquake there. In particular, Davis notes the actions taken by his sailors, and Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s request for them to withdraw.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-21

Letter from Edwin C. Pendleton to C. H. Davis

Captain Pendleton sends a list of officers who engaged in work in Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake. Pendleton reports that the work of these officers and the men under their command merits the highest praise and their conduct was excellent. He notes that “practically the whole ship’s company volunteered for this duty” and at times there were more volunteers than could be employed. Pendleton also lists the names of Americans who left Kingston on the USS Missouri.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-20

Letter from Howson W. Cole to Howard E. Ames

Howson W. Cole, Assistant Surgeon for the Navy, reports to Navy Medical Inspector Ames his observations and work concerning the relief effort after the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Cole reports that their offers to help care for the wounded were refused by Dr. Karr at the Central Hospital, although Karr did request some medical supplies. This refusal was despite the clear lack of appropriate medical services for all the injured, and Cole provides case-specific examples. Because of the clear need for more aid, Admiral C. H. Davis set up an American Hospital, where Cole and others saw as many patients as possible. Cole provides details for a number of patient cases, and concludes that no matter what Governor James Alexander Swettenham believes, medical aid is “certainly needed and asked for, by the poor wretches who are even yet without treatment.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-20

Letter from Howard E. Ames to C. H. Davis

Navy Medical Inspector Ames writes a narrative to Admiral Davis relating the events that unfolded when he arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, to provide medical relief after the earthquake. Ames found the city of Kingston to be absolutely demolished, and the populace to be in a “dazed, frightened, and nervous condition.” When Ames offers medical assistance and advice to Governor James Alexander Swettenham, the assistance is refused, and the suggestions denied, with the exception of some limited supplies for which the governor is thankful. Because both Ames and Davis, among others, found that the official city response was lacking, Davis informed Governor Swettenham that the naval medical officers would establish an independent hospital that would serve everyone “irrespective of age, sex, creed, or nationality.” The Jesuit fathers gave their cottage in Winchester Park as the site of the hospital, and they were able to treat many injured people with the help of the Sisters of Mercy. Ames offers comments on the casualties and destruction caused by the earthquake.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-20

Memorandum of events in connection with a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, after its destruction by earthquake and fire

Lieutenant Gilmer of the USS Missouri provides a detailed description of the United States naval response to the January 14, 1907, earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Gilmer explains that the Navy landed in Kingston on January 17, setting up a hospital, landing forces, and providing aid. Gilmer describes the destruction of the city both from the earthquake and the subsequent looting and the various dead victims he sees and living victims he interacts with. After the governor of Jamaica asked the Navy to leave the island, Gilmer interacts with many who request that the Navy stay and insist they are badly needed. The Navy withdraws on January 19, back to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

Report from William P. Williamson to Dennis H. Mahan

Midshipman Williamson reports to Dennis H. Mahan regarding the evacuation of Americans from Kingston, Jamaica, following the Kingston earthquake. After going ashore to bring women aboard the USS Indiana, Williamson was joined by Chaplain Matthew C. Gleeson of the USS Missouri. The Americans ashore were out of food other than cheese and crackers. Williamson found 40 or 50 women and 100 men, but only four women agreed to be evacuated, so Williamson brought them with the four men attending them. Williamson delivered a memo regarding the people’s need for food to his executive officer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Letter from Arthur Bainbridge Hoff to Edwin C. Pendleton

Lieutenant-Commander Hoff, of the USS Missouri, expands upon his report from the previous day on the aid provided by the United States Navy following the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon arrival, food and supplies were administered by Paymaster Barron P. DuBois. Hospitals and medical care were assessed by military personnel. Under the command of Midshipmen Douglas Legate Howard, the archives from the U.S. Embassy were protected and removed. Howard’s team went on to assist in removing unsafe and damaged buildings. Another patrol aided local authorities in preventing looting. Supplies were distributed to destitute Americans on the island. Considering the situation, the hospitals were properly functioning and the water supply was untainted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

President Roosevelt confides to Sir George Otto Trevelyan the contents of several letters and reports regarding the diplomatic aftermath of the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Trouble has arisen after Governor of Jamaica James Alexander Swettenham asked Rear-Admiral C. H. Davis to remove the marines he had ordered to assist with the relief effort. Roosevelt compares Swettenham to American diplomates Herbert Wolcott Bowen, B. Storer, and Maria Longworth Storer who had caused him trouble in the past.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Ireland

President Roosevelt asks Archbishop Ireland for his recommendations of whom to appoint for the chaplain vacancies in the Army and Navy. The president desires men who can associate with officers but understand “their chief duty must be done with the enlisted men.” Roosevelt also tells Ireland he wrote a similar letter to Cardinal James Gibbons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Gibbons

President Roosevelt asks Cardinal Gibbons for his recommendations of whom to appoint for the chaplain vacancies in the Army and Navy. The president desires men who can associate with officers but understand “their chief duty must be done with the enlisted men.” Roosevelt would like Archbishop John M. Farley’s recommendations as well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt writes to Secretary of the Navy Moody praising the actions of Father Matthew C. Gleeson for his “courage, common sense and efficiency” during the recent accident on the USS Missouri.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis C. Travers

President Roosevelt was pleased with Father Matthew C. Gleeson’s “splendid record.” They have every right to be proud of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John M. Farley

President Roosevelt will send Archbishop Farley’s letter to Secretary of the Navy William H. Moody and ask that Father Matthew C. Gleeson be appointed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-26

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

Anna Roosevelt Cowles apologizes for taking so long to return a deed to her brother, President Roosevelt, but explains the difficulty she had in getting a notary. She is glad to be able to gift him something that will be of use. Cowles promises to write Roosevelt about possibly visiting at Oyster Bay later in the summer, after the upcoming Naval Review. Her vacation has been pleasant so far, but she comments that sometimes “it is difficult being your sister to stay in a hotel and not be made too conspicuous just on account of the relationship.” She heard good things about the honeymoon Roosevelt’s newly married daughter, Alice Longworth, and her husband Nicholas Longworth were able to take to England, and hopes they had a good time. Cowles also shares a humorous story where her son, William Sheffield Cowles, shared that he hoped President Roosevelt could find something to do in Farmington, Connecticut, after leaving the presidency so that they could see him often.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-19

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

Anna Roosevelt Cowles congratulates President Roosevelt on the peace between Japan and Russia. She also describes a visit she made to her husband on board the USS Missouri.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-30

Letter from Francis C. Travers to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis C. Travers would like to bring a letter from Father Matthew C. Gleeson to President Roosevelt. In the letter, Gleeson suggests sending the damaged naval ship the USS Missouri to New York for repairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-21

Letter from Francis C. Travers to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis C. Travers shares with President Roosevelt part of a letter he received from Father Matthew C. Gleeson, chaplain of the USS Missouri, on which a recent explosion had occurred. Gleeson asserts that some people want to hurt the President through Captain William S. Cowles, his brother-in-law, commander of the Missouri, by casting aspersions on the Captain’s leadership in light of a collision which occurred between the Missouri and the USS Illinois the previous year. Gleeson avows that Cowles saved both ships on that occasion through his expert seamanship. Gleeson urges that the Navy ought to have the Missouri brought to New York, to ensure that the truth be known about the recent accident.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-21

Letter from Francis C. Travers to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis C. Travers was pleased to see in the newspaper the telegram from President Roosevelt’s brother-in-law Captain William S. Cowles to Archbishop John M. Farley in reference to U.S. Navy Chaplain Matthew C. Gleeson. Travers praises Cowles’s bravery amidst hardships. He extends sympathies concerning a recent accident, probably the explosion on the USS Missouri, to Roosevelt and to Anna Roosevelt Cowles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-19