Government etiquette

Letter from Joseph Gurney Cannon to Theodore Roosevelt

Speaker of the House Cannon acknowledges receipt of a letter from President Roosevelt requesting permission to take the chairs from the Cabinet room, as well as a small couch, but says that as it was not addressed as “personal,” he believes it should be referred to the House Committee on Appropriations. A handwritten note appended to this letter states that “Mrs. Roosevelt would like this letter to be withdrawn.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-02

Memorandum dictated by Emperor William II

This memorandum details that David Jayne Hill was considered ill-suited for a government position, specifically due to making a bad impression on Prince Henry of Prussia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

Letter from Boies Penrose to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Penrose thanks President Roosevelt for the letter regarding the matter of John Dunbar Pringle. Penrose understands that Senator Philander C. Knox has asked Roosevelt to delay the matter a bit, and Penrose remarks that a nomination cannot be sent until after the holidays anyway because of the adjournment of Congress. He will be satisfied with whatever Roosevelt decides, but would like to speak to him one more time before Roosevelt takes action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-18

Letter from Jay J. Morrow to William Loeb

Jay J. Morrow, Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, writes to William Loeb responding to a letter from President Roosevelt. Roosevelt directed the Board to cooperate with the Executive Departments in their purchasing of office supplies, but Morrow does not believe that Roosevelt has the authority to direct the Board in this way. While the Commissioners of course are willing to accept suggestions from the president, Morrow criticizes the way in which this letter was addressed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-19

Letter from Alford Warriner Cooley to Theodore Roosevelt

Former assistant attorney general Alford Warriner Cooley has been told that he should be able to go back to work in the early spring. Cooley does not think he should remain in the west, and would have liked to start up a practice in New York, except that he has been advised by his doctor to avoid the strain. It seems that resuming his job in the Department of Justice makes the most sense for his financial and physical health, and he asks Roosevelt’s advice of how to raise this question with President-Elect William H. Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

Memorandum of conversation with Senator Foraker

John Callan O’Laughlin records a conversation he had with Senator Joseph Benson Foraker regarding President Roosevelt and the investigation into the Brownsville affair. Foraker had proposed an amendment establishing a commission to reinstate some of the officers dismissed, but O’Laughlin believes that such an amendment is seen as criticizing Roosevelt, and that he will resist it, even if he would be amenable to the idea otherwise. Foraker gave the impression to O’Laughlin that he is willing to make concessions to come to an agreement quickly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-15

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to William Loeb

Senator Lodge would like William Loeb to introduce Mary Louisa Adams Niles to President Roosevelt. Her brother-in-law, Frank W. Andrews, is Lodge’s neighbor in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-13

Letter from John R. Carter to Theodore Roosevelt

John R. Carter sends President Roosevelt a copy of Guy Laking’s work in the Royal Collections of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, presented by Edward VII, King of Great Britain, and a clipping of an editorial from The London Times. He wishes Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt happy holidays.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-20

Letter from Hamilton Fish II to William Loeb

Assistant Treasurer of the United States Fish confirms to William Loeb he also heard that Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer had recently publicly criticized President Roosevelt while saying New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes was a superior politician. Fish considers Brewer’s behavior to be typical of factions opposing Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-21

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to William Loeb

German Ambassador Sternburg asks William Loeb to give the enclosed letter to President Roosevelt and thanks him for his previous letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-28

Letter from James W. Raynolds to Charles J. Bonaparte

Acting Governor of New Mexico Raynolds confirms the text of a telegram he sent Attorney General Bonaparte regarding the behavior and actions of Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, in the case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former Superintendent of Prisons. McHarg has made several demands of the territorial government, and while the territory is anxious to comply, they are not required by law to do so. Further, McHarg has impugned the character and capability of several officials. Raynolds asks for specific guidance from the Department of Justice as to the wishes of the department and the actions the territorial government of New Mexico is expected to perform in the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Letter from Secretary to John C. Simering

Secretary Bonaparte’s personal secretary acknowledges John C. Simering’s letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-14

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt.

Charles J. Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt that he has relayed Roosevelt’s instructions regarding the entertainment of the French officers. Bonaparte also discusses his pending report on the convicted midshipmen, some amusing correspondence he has enclosed, and Bonaparte’s dinner on the Mayflower with the Cardinal that a paper referred to with disgust.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-13

Letter from John St. Loe Strachey to Theodore Roosevelt

John St. Loe Strachey writes to President Roosevelt on a variety of topics including Roosevelt’s daughter’s upcoming marriage, the current state of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the current state of the Senate of the United States, and his personal opinion of Edward Grey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-29

Letter from John Hay to William Loeb

Secretary of State Hay sends William Loeb a request for the newly appointed Swiss ambassador Leo Vogel to meet with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-08

Letter from Prince Heinrich to Theodore Roosevelt

Prince Heinrich writes Cornelius Wilhelm von Heyl a letter of introduction with the hope that President Roosevelt will meet with Heyl during his business trip to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-01

Letter from Augustus Peabody Gardner to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Gardner protests to President Roosevelt about an upcoming appointment of the postmaster in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Traditionally, Gardner writes, Republican Congressmen have had control of the recommendations of postmasters in their districts, but he is now being asked to give up this privilege in favor of a recommendation by Attorney General William H. Moody. Gardner explains his position and why he would like to nominate Charles M. Hoyt as postmaster in Haverhill rather than continuing the postmastership of Horace Irving Pinkham, who Moody favors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-13

Telegram from John Thomas McDonough to Theodore Roosevelt

Justice McDonough thanks President Roosevelt for the welcome and notes that he will go to Washington, D.C., “without delay.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Luther S. Kelly

President Roosevelt accepts the resignation of Major Luther S. Kelly from his position as Superintendent of the Indian Agency in San Carlos, Arizona.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to United States Department of State

President Roosevelt strongly objects to being addressed as “Your Excellency” or “Most Excellent President.” Both of these terms were used in the proposed remarks to be given by the new Panamanian minister, Carlos C. Arosemena. The State Department advised on this composition, and Roosevelt instructs them not to include such titles in the future presidential communications they review.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-03