Hemenway, James A. (James Alexander), 1860-1923

Sergeant Mingo Saunders, decorated with medals labeled “One of the Best,” “Faithful,” “Honest,” and “Brave,” and with stripes on his sleeve that read, “Nearly 30 Years a Soldier,” holds a paper: “Discharged Without Honor from the Army of the U.S.” Below is an article about Saunders’s discharge. The article encourages African Americans to vote for Senator Joseph Benson Foraker rather than William H. Taft, who advocates for disenfranchisement of African Americans. If Foraker is not an option, the paper suggests Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks because Senator James A. Hemenway, who works for Fairbanks’s campaign, has assisted Foraker in advocating for the discharged soldiers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-11

Creator(s)

Unknown

In response to a report by Senator James A. Hemenway, President Roosevelt defends the Secret Service’s work to Senator Hale of Maine, the acting chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the U.S. Senate. Roosevelt refutes each claim made in the report and notes that the current limitations placed on the Secret Service is hindering justice. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has already written to William H. Taft about the matter concerning George Rumsey Sheldon, and cannot understand George W. Perkins’s objection to him. Roosevelt agrees with Taft’s conduct regarding contributions to his campaign. He has been looking over William Jennings Bryan’s campaign platform, and will write Taft a letter about it soon. Roosevelt also sends a letter from Lyman Abbott, and asks if there is anything he can do in the weeks following Taft’s speech. He agrees with Taft’s actions in the matter concerning James A. Hemenway. It appears that Bryan will base his presidential bid in the states in the Mississippi River Valley, and Roosevelt advises Taft to pick a vice presidential nominee who could help him in this region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends Lyman Abbott letters he wrote to various Senators about the Brownsville incident and a matter concerning Colonel William F. Stewart. Roosevelt asserts his executive authority as President to make determinations about the dismissal and stationing of soldiers, citing past precedents. He also provides his rationale for dismissing the Brownsville soldiers and for refusing to grant Stewart a court of inquiry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt received the articles William Dudley Foulke sent him and says the statements made by Louis Ludlow are false. Roosevelt comments on his nomination of Samuel G. Victor for the position of marshal in Oklahoma following Senate’s failure to confirm Grosvenor A. Porter. Victor has been strongly recommended to Roosevelt, who has heard that his frequent opponents Senators Joseph Benson Foraker and James A. Hemenway, his frequent opponents, are trying to delay Victor’s nomination. Roosevelt does not know of any charges that would be a discredit to Victor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends Senator Clark a letter related to the rejection of Grosvenor A. Porter as United States Marshal for Oklahoma, which Roosevelt thinks expresses the sentiment of the public. He has heard that under the lead of Senators Joseph Benson Foraker and James A. Hemenway there is talk about similarly rejecting Samuel G. Victor, and Roosevelt asks what charges have been made against him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thinks it would be a mistake to have Gilchrist Stewart, an African-American lawyer who says he has new evidence in the Brownsville Affair, followed by the Secret Service as Senator Lodge suggests. Roosevelt is concerned that if it is discovered, his political opponents will attack him for it. Roosevelt would prefer to consult with Lodge and the other members of the committee investigating the matter, because congress is already too interested in how he uses the Secret Service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt clarifies for Nicholas Murray Butler his position on a tariff which needs revision but hopefully will not damage protective interests in the process. Roosevelt believes the “reciprocity agitation” in New England is foolish and hopes that he can gain reciprocity from Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has made the changes that Nicholas Murray Butler suggested, but cannot compromise on the tariff section. He feels that Massachusetts is being unreasonable about the tariff, but he would like to revise it after discussing it at length with party leaders.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt asks George B. Cortelyou to please consult Indiana State Republican Chairman James P. Goodrich and Representative James A. Hemenway before taking any action to select a vice chairman for the Republican National Committee from the west.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-10

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

President-Elect Taft solicits President Roosevelt’s opinion on various political matters, including his inaugural address, pending statehood bills, and cabinet appointments. In particular, Taft would like Roosevelt to review the enclosed passage regarding Asian immigration and related laws. Taft also discusses the rationale behind his potential cabinet appointments, explaining that his choices are based on the individual’s experience, conduct, and character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-23

Creator(s)

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

William H. Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the issue of monetary contributions to his presidential campaign. While Taft knows it will likely decrease the amount of money available for his campaign, he feels strongly that he should follow New York’s publicity law for donations nationwide, which he hopes will ultimately contribute to reducing the power of money in politics. Taft also writes about other issues that have been arising in his campaign, including the selection of certain people to his campaign staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-09

Creator(s)

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

William H. Taft had thought that he had figured out an issue pertaining to Ohio, but now realizes that any move he makes will leave some faction discontented with him. Arthur I. Vorys is upset at Frank H. Hitchcock being made Chairman of Taft’s campaign. Taft has been in contact with many people, asking them to come visit him in order to discuss strategy. He has also been golfing and working on a draft of his acceptance speech, which he plans to submit to President Roosevelt for advice before he actually gives it. Taft also briefly remarks on an ongoing investigation into the Brownsville incident.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-04

Creator(s)

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

In a telephone message, Albert J. Beveridge reported on the positions of several Senators regarding the battleship bill, and provided a list of Senators President Roosevelt should speak to about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-20

Creator(s)

Presidential Office Staff

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03

Creator(s)

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

James P. Goodrich asks Theodore Roosevelt if Consul-General Griffiths, who currently serves in Liverpool, England, could come home and stump for the congressional races in Indiana. Griffiths is willing to help, as long as it is not contrary to Roosevelt’s desire and the rules of the State Department. Goodrich tells Roosevelt he hopes Indiana will be able to send 11 members of Congress to support the administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Creator(s)

Goodrich, James P., 1864-1940

Senator Beveridge writes to a friend regarding the potential candidacy of Senator Charles W. Fairbanks as the Republican vice president in 1904. Since Beveridge and Fairbanks were both from Indiana, he also discusses the potential impact on that state’s politicians, their opinions about the possible nomination, and promising candidates for Fairbanks’s Senate seat should it be vacated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-03

Creator(s)

Beveridge, Albert J. (Albert Jeremiah), 1862-1927

Photograph shows 19 portraits of prominent orators (politicians and businessmen) superimposed over an audience comprised of men. Caption reads, “our prominent political orators in action. The efforts of these men will anchor the floating vote, make converts and win the election.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-08-29

Creator(s)

Clinedinst, Barnett McFee, 1862-1953

Secretary of War William H. Taft seemed to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president, but his candidacy is losing support. Even thought President Roosevelt supports him, and he is personally popular with the public, he is a poor campaigner and is losing ground in several states to other politicians, including Roosevelt himself, whom some support for a second elected term.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-21

Creator(s)

Unknown