Hunt, William Henry, 1857-1949

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft discusses Judge Hunt’s report. He doubts the wisdom of Hunt’s suggestion of an alien tax, and does not think a subject should be discussed in a campaign. Hunt also thinks that Puerto Ricans should not govern themselves due to their “political stupidity” and lack of experience with self-governments. Taft discusses the options for taxation in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-17

Letter from John Hay to William Loeb

Secretary of State Hay informs William Loeb that he telegraphed William Henry Hunt regarding President Roosevelt’s acceptance of Hunt’s resignation as Governor of Puerto Rico, which will take effect on July 4.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-02

Letter from Eugene Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

Eugene Philbin suggests that Theodore Roosevelt confer with the Governor of Puerto Rico William Henry Hunt concerning complaints about the treatment of the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico. Philbin adds that Bishop James Herbert Blenk has no complaints about Hunt’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-22

Letter from Regis Henri Post to Theodore Roosevelt

Regis Henri Post assures President Roosevelt that he is content with his present job and does not need to become the Commissioner of Interior. Post does not believe it is wise to make it obligatory to hire native Puerto Ricans as assistant heads of departments. An assistant head is just as important as the department executive, and as of now Post does not know of any native who is capable and honest enough to have this amount of responsibility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-04

Letter from Regis Henri Post to Theodore Roosevelt

Regis Henri Post writes to President Roosevelt to recommend that Governor Hunt be made a canal commissioner due to his experience in Puerto Rico. Post also mentions Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-16

Letter from Willis Sweet to Weldon Brinton Heyburn

Willis Sweet updates Weldon Heyburn on prison conditions in Puerto Rico and other matters. Prisoners in Puerto Rico are not confined to individual cells, instead they are herded together. Problems within the prison are complicated by weak prison authority. Sweet also must deal with a number of pardons. Original sentences do not always fit the crime. Trial by jury has also been recently implemented in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-28

Summary of letter from James Herbert Blenk

Bishop Blenk states that Governor Hunt’s health is failing due to stress and the climate of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-09

Letter from James Herbert Blenk to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Blenk informs President Roosevelt that he has written an extensive letter to Governor Hunt of Puerto Rico regarding an important issue. He states that he will be at Roosevelt’s beck and call if needed in the states to discuss matters further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-16

Letter from James Herbert Blenk to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Blenk suggests that although Governor Hunt is a hard and dedicated worker, his health is failing due to the extreme stress of his job. Blenk suggests that perhaps a new, younger candidate should succeed Hunt as governor of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-09

Letter from Regis Henri Post to Theodore Roosevelt

Regis Henri Post sends his impressions of Puerto Rico. He describes Governor Hunt as a “splendid fellow” and believes the administration is a “pretty good lot.” Post would like to be consulted if the Danish West Indies comes under American control. He believes that Charles Hartzell would make an excellent successor to Hunt and has heard that Judge Sulzbacher wants to leave for a job back in the U.S.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-31

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to George B. Cortelyou

Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses documents for President Roosevelt from Governor William Henry Hunt and the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico requesting an amendment to the reciprocity treaty with Cuba regarding duties on coffee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-18

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay encloses a letter from Archbishop Placide Louis Chapelle regarding his opinion on the state of affairs in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-22

Letter from Placide Louis Chapelle to John Hay

Archbishop Chapelle discusses the question of church property in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-17

Letter from H. C. Taylor to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary Taylor provides the Navy’s justification and legal claim for acquiring a tract of land adjacent to the naval station in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The difficulty is that the Insular Government claims authority over this land and has objected to the naval seizure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-26

Letter from George W. Mentz to William H. Moody

Commander Mentz provides his side of the story in a dispute over land in Puerto Rico between the U.S. Navy and the Insular Government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-21

Telegram from Richard Harding Davis to Theodore Roosevelt

Richard Harding Davis has received President Roosevelt’s letter and requests a letter from Roosevelt or from Secretary of War Elihu Root to Governor of Puerto Rico William Henry Hunt. In a handwritten note, Root has agreed to furnish the requested letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-18

At the White House

Samuel Gompers met with President Roosevelt to discuss labor policy and protest the arrest of Santiago Iglesias Pantin in Puerto Rico. Iglesias Pantin had been sent by Gompers to organize the labor movement in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-11

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hunt would like to take a brief absence on November 13.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-09

Letter from Charles H. Allen to John Hay

Charles H. Allen agrees that it is not the time to reorganize the Insular Bureau. At the request of Governor Hunt, Allen urges Secretary of State Hay to fill the vacancies in the executive council of Puerto Rico. A secretary and treasurer need to be appointed. Allen agrees with Hunt that William H. Elliott would be a suitable secretary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-24