Hawaii--Honolulu

Letter from Charles R. Dewing to United States Civil Service Commission

Charles R. Dewing writes the United States Civil Service Commission regarding an investigation into the dismissal of Dewing due to religious discrimination. Dewing states Mr. Stockman, a Jesuit, targeted Dewing because he was part of the Central Union Church and participated in activities. Dewing also states Mr. Stockman pressured him to send letters, work long hours, and never take time off. Dewing requests the Commission continue to investigate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Creator(s)

Dewing, Charles R. (Charles Royal), 1878-

Letter from Isaac H. Cocks to William Loeb

Isaac H. Cocks informs William Loeb that half of his mail comes through Westbury, New York, and that there are no problems as mail is received promptly. He also tells Loeb about his son William W. Cocks’s voyage to Hawaii and the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11

Creator(s)

Cocks, Isaac H., 1836-1910

Memorandum for reply to letter from Senator Lodge

Navy Department Chief of the Bureau of Equipment Cowles outlines the situation regarding the transfer of coal for Senator Lodge. The Navy Department used to accept coal shipments from American vessels to Pacific ports under the coastwise shipping laws, but it was unsustainable due to rates and foreign markets. In response to the issue, the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Edward Hale Campbell ruled that President Roosevelt had the authority to charter foreign vessels. Cowles lists the American vessels that were chartered. Allegations have been made that the Navy illegally selected foreign vessels, hurting American shipping, and Cowles gives examples to refute these claims. For the remainder of the voyage of the Fleet, the department intends to utilize American vessels as often as possible, but the necessary coal will have to come in foreign bottoms.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

Creator(s)

Cowles, Wm. S. (William Sheffield), 1846-1923

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt regarding the management of the National Parks. Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park S. B. M. Young would prefer rangers to the military, and Taft agrees with him, but Congress is putting the responsibility of park management on the War Department rather than the Department of the Interior. Taft warns that he accidentally engaged in cards on a Sunday, in case the press finds out. While traveling, he saw Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, and they discussed both Japanese naturalization and immigration of Russian Jews. Taft briefly lists his upcoming speeches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-04

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from John E. Wilkie to William Loeb

Secret Service Chief John E. Wilkie informs William Loeb, President Roosevelt’s secretary, of his contact with Richard H. Taylor, an agent in the Secret Service currently stationed in Honolulu.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-19

Creator(s)

Wilkie, John E. (John Elbert), 1860-1934

Remarks made by Frank P. Sargent at Honolulu, June 27, 1905

Commissioner Sargent delivers remarks at a dinner given by the Chinese-Consul General of Hawaii. Sargent praises the friendly relations that exist between the United States and China, yet acknowledges that the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits “certain classes of its people” from emigrating to the United States. As the two countries work towards a new treaty, Sargent hopes that “nothing will be permitted to arise which will mar the good feeling which does and should prevail between the two countries.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-27

Creator(s)

Sargent, Frank P., 1854-1908

Letter from George Robert Carter to Theodore Roosevelt

George Robert Carter sends President Roosevelt his resignation as 2nd Territorial Governor of Hawaii. Carter feels that his former business associates no longer support him in his political fight against the election of the “corrupt and immoral” nominee for county Sheriff, Arthur M. Brown. Carter had previously removed Brown from office. If he is elected, he will control the police force of Honolulu and the island of Hawaii. Carter wishes to explain the situation further in person to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-19

Creator(s)

Carter, George Robert, 1866-1933

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to George Robert Carter

Theodore Roosevelt orders Governor Carter to organize.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to President of the Joint Army and Navy Board

President Roosevelt directs the President of the Joint Army and Navy Board that he would like action regarding the fortification of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, with the aim of establishing a naval base there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt writes to General James Franklin Bell regarding the fortification of Hawaii. Representative Walter Inglewood Smith has told Roosevelt that the government had purchased two parcels of land in Hawaii that are currently unused, and says that if this is true, it emphasizes his point that the War Department and Navy Department must carefully consider their requests if they want Congress to pay attention to them. Roosevelt instructs that there must be a clear plan for what must be done with regards to military fortifications in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Burroughs

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that John Burroughs is going on a trip to California and Honolulu. He asks that Burroughs give his love to John Muir. Roosevelt feels confident about the preparations for the Africa trip and will try to find information about the bird songs and nesting of the swallows. Roosevelt put his heart into the preparation of the Lincoln speech and is glad that Burroughs likes it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Taft to have the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Taft and Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that he would like the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Metcalf and Secretary of War William H. Taft investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank P. Sargent

President Roosevelt asks Commissioner General of Immigration Sargent to go to Honolulu to supervise the landing of Southern European immigrants. Roosevelt believes this is one of the most important matters to happen since the Hawaiian islands became a colony of the United States and would like his personal supervision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Bishop Dudley believes that Major Edward Davis should remain as commander in Honolulu. President Roosevelt requests information on the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from William R. Harr to Charles J. Bonaparte

William R. Harr has investigated the charges against United States Attorney Robert W. Breckons that have been brought by E. W. Thwing, and gives Attorney General Bonaparte a thorough report of his findings. Harr addresses both Breckons’s personal character and his professional involvements and associations. Harr concludes that while he believes Breckons has worked efficiently and well, “his desire to serve his friends and increase his fortune has led him into a number of acts of questionable propriety and into some of unquestionable impropriety.” Harr understands from Breckons that he does not plan to stay in his position much longer, as the workload has increased to such a degree as to prevent additional private practice, which is necessary to supplement the income from the government position due to the high cost of living in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-01

Creator(s)

Harr, William R.

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of State O’Laughlin writes to President Roosevelt with observations on the social conditions and attitudes in Honolulu. O’Laughlin discusses the effects of immigration on the Hawaiians, and shares his views on the Japanese and Chinese races, especially in regards to labor. Although there was a strong sentiment of Japanese sovereignty, O’Laughlin feels the visit of the fleet and the limiting of Japanese immigration have led to a feeling of desire for American assimilation. This would have been better taken advantage of if there was the option to achieve naturalization. American nationalism and continued peace must be enforced through the use of the Navy, and O’Laughlin agrees with Roosevelt’s actions thus far.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-30

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Telegram from Thomas J. O’Brien to Elihu Root

Japanese Ambassador O’Brien has carried out Secretary of State’s Root’s instructions on the matter of Japanese immigration in the United States and Canada. Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Tadasu Hayashi will abide by the new policies Root has set out and will consider new policies that might be put forward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-27

Creator(s)

O'Brien, Thomas J. (Thomas James), 1842-1933

Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt

Per President Roosevelt’s suggestion, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks sends three memoranda regarding Japanese emigration companies. Although comprised primarily of informant observations, the information is unverified, but Jenks believes it should be easy to obtain more.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-12

Creator(s)

Jenks, Jeremiah Whipple, 1856-1929

Telegram from William H. Taft to Frank McIntyre

Secretary of War Taft instructs Frank McIntyre to direct the message in his telegram regarding his visit in Japan to Secretary of State Elihu Root if he is in town, otherwise to President Roosevelt. Taft has met with many Japanese politicians and officials, and discussed many topics of interest to both nations, primarily concerning Japanese immigration to the United States. Taft does not think it is wise to pursue a treaty including reciprocal exclusion at this time, and wishes to inform Roosevelt so that he can persuade members of congress from California to accept the current status quo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-18

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930