Your TR Source
President Roosevelt shares editor of the Churchman Silas McBee’s interest in and puzzlement over the sermon of Bishop Charles Henry Brent of the Philippines, which he analytically criticizes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Mrs. Thomas Wallace for the coin and will carry it for luck. Roosevelt admires men like Timoleon, John Hampden, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt never spoke about Cromwell as one of his “four heroes” along with Washington and Lincoln. Roosevelt has always avoided referring to any men as “[his] heroes.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-23
President Roosevelt was recently reading a volume of John Morley’s work Critical Miscellanies, and wished to write to him about a number of the issues he raises, and critiques several other historians and works of history. Roosevelt pivots to talking about the recent election in the United States as he identifies it as having taken place under circumstances similar to those identified by Baron Thomas Babington Macaulay–with a recent financial panic and a demagogue opposing William H. Taft–but because of the moral superiority of the Republican party, Taft became president-elect. Roosevelt believes that foolish optimism can get in the way of sane optimism, but also believes that there is cause to hope in the future. He would like to see Morley when he visits England in 1910.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt praises Senator Lodge’s speech to the Republican National Convention as one that will certainly go down in history, noting humorously that attacks from the Sun should be considered as the highest praise. What Lodge said was “exactly right,” and “exactly as [Roosevelt] should have wished it.” Roosevelt believes that Presidency is a very powerful office and that power should be used without hesitation, but this requires strict accountability to the people and no one should keep the office too long. After leaving office, Roosevelt is planning a trip to East Africa for a year to hunt and gather scientific specimens for the National Museum at Washington. Scribner’s has offered Roosevelt $50,000 for the serial rights to articles Roosevelt writes during the trip, and while Collier’s offered $100,000, Roosevelt prefers to have the trip sponsored by Scribner’s, as “there is such a thing as making too much money out of a given feat,” even if earned honestly. Roosevelt thinks William H. Taft will win the coming election, unless he makes some kind of hopeless mistake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-19
In a typed copy of the handwritten original, President Roosevelt thanks King Edward VII for the letter and miniature of John Hamden, and sends a copy of his book, The Winning of the West, in return. Roosevelt agrees about the importance of the special relationship between the United States and Great Britain, noting that the external interests of the two are in alignment. Roosevelt believes Russia should make peace with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-09
President Roosevelt tells James Ford Rhodes he has just finished reading his fifth volume, which has tied in well with Roosevelt’s other readings of Thomas Babington Macaulay’s History and Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches. Although the president agrees with Rhodes that the right is not all on one side and the wrong is not all on the other in quarrels, Roosevelt thinks the American Civil War is the exception, as he believes “the right was exclusively with the Union people.” Roosevelt talks about his plans to build up the Navy to avoid war, believing the Panama Canal will help. Finally, he discusses problems he has been having with the tariff and Southern states. He disagrees with Rhodes that the South is not trying to reinstate slavery, as there is peonage in three states right now. Roosevelt closes by mentioning how his opponents helped him during the election campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-29
King Edward VII of Great Britain congratulates President Roosevelt on his inauguration and offers his goodwill. He wants to be on the same intimate terms with Roosevelt as he is with European leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-20
Oswell R. Eve believes knowledge of great Englishmen gives Americans insight into the liberty movements of the past and inspires the development of better citizenship and government. He enjoyed reading Theodore Roosevelt’s biography of Oliver Cromwell even though he disagrees with some portions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
While president, Theodore Roosevelt advocated for the “Swiss system of universal service” but was mostly ignored. He has been attempting to teach Americans the lessons of the war and now has a considerable following. Roosevelt reminisces about John Hay and fondly recalls a gift Hay gave to him, a ring with a strand of Abraham Lincoln’s hair. He also appreciated a gift he received from King Edward VII, a miniature of John Hampden. The gift displayed King Edward’s refinement and nicely contrasted with the gift from Emperor William II, a massive bronze bust of himself that ended up in the basement of an art gallery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-07