India

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Theodore Roosevelt

William Woodville Rockhill recounts what occurred between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government while the Dalai Lama was staying in Peking. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama and offered advice to Agvan Dorjiev about whether or not the Dalai Lama should return to Lhasa and accept the removal of his temporal power. Rockhill believes that many of the reforms that China wishes to make would improve conditions in Tibet, while still allowing the Dalai Lama to maintain control over the Yellow Church.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-08

Letter from Sydney Brooks to Theodore Roosevelt

Sydney Brooks tells President Roosevelt how happy he, and others in England, are with the election of William H. Taft. The constitutionalists in England were “scandalized” by Roosevelt’s involvement in the campaign. Brooks has been spreading stories about Taft’s character in England, and the feeling toward him now is warm. He praises Roosevelt’s accomplishments in office and offers suggestions for the topic of his 1910 Romanes lecture. Finally, Brooks discusses the unfavorable view in the American press of British rule in India.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-11

Letter from Endicott Peabody to Theodore Roosevelt

Endicott Peabody was glad to read the letters sent by President Roosevelt from Lord Curzon of Kedleston, which reflect Roosevelt’s good work. Peabody speaks positively of Curzon and his private secretary Sir Walter Lawrence, who is a friend, but finds Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot, Earl of Minto and current viceroy and governor-general of India, ineffective.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-22

Letter from William Northrup McMillan to Theodore Roosevelt

William Northrup McMillan had written a letter upon hearing that President Roosevelt would be in British East Africa, but the publications from St. Louis purporting to have information from McMillan about Roosevelt’s travels were not legitimate and he has reached out to The New York Herald to rectify the situation. If it is convenient, McMillan hopes Roosevelt will visit and utilize any of his staff. McMillan details the locations one can likely find various types of game and clarifies his upcoming travel plans so that Roosevelt can reach him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-29

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that his friend Edward Ashley Walrond Clarke, British Consul General to Zanzibar, has promised to look after President Roosevelt. He discusses the Turkish reform movement, its influences, and global impact. The British have appealed to William II, Emperor of Germany, to stop arming.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-06

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Theodore Roosevelt

American Ambassador to China William Woodville Rockhill tells President Roosevelt about his recent meetings with the Dalai Lama. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama twice in person, and was very impressed by his hospitality and composure. The Dalai Lama asked Rockhill’s opinion about the relations between India and Tibet, and gave Rockhill several gifts to present to Roosevelt. Rockhill assured the Dalai Lama that many people in America wished him well, and looked upon Tibet favorably. Rockhill congratulates Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as Republican candidate for president, and is sure that he will be elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-30

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

Caspar Whitney tells President Roosevelt that S. S. McClure hopes to get the rights to publish articles from Roosevelt’s African safari. Whitney suggested that McClure propose expanding Roosevelt’s trip to places like India and the Philippines, and offer to pay more. Whitney is not sure why McClure approached him to talk, but Whitney tells Roosevelt that in making this suggestion he hoped to help Roosevelt get the most out of his trip, and wanted to make sure the facts were straight when McClure approached Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-01

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of matters happening in England, including the nervous breakdown of Lord Edward Marjoribanks Tweedmouth, whose recent trouble relating to a letter from German Emperor William II was only the latest in a long string of misfortunes. He also offers insight into the English interest in the American Presidential election, and explains that he has told questioners that he believes Roosevelt will answer the call if his party ultimately nominates him against his wishes. Reid also discusses the lack of a profitable liberal newspaper in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-01

Letter from James Bryce to William Loeb

British Ambassador James Bryce introduces his former colleague Antony Patrick MacDonnell, current Under-Secretary for Ireland and former British official in India. MacDonnell performed excellently in all of his positions, and Bryce relied heavily on his judgement while working with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-07

The lion

Draft manuscript containing an essay, “The lion,” by Frederick Courteney Selous. Selous recounts many stories of lions attacking people and animals, and of adventures involving lions. He also addresses lions more scientifically, and offers a description of the habits and living conditions of lions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-03

Letter from Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot Minto to Theodore Roosevelt

Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot, Earl of Minto and Viceroy of India tells President Roosevelt he is happy to help Nicholas Longworth and Alice Roosevelt Longworth while in India. Due to weather, he advises they wait until October to visit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid has forwarded President Roosevelt’s letter to the people of Salisbury, and he is sure it will promote kindly feeling. Reid hopes that they may be able to bring the “slow-moving” Colonial Office to an early agreement, as the only currently contentious issue between the parties is that of purse-nets. Reports of William Jennings Bryan’s speech in Madison Square Garden produced instant revulsion in Great Britain, as the public thought he “dished” himself by proposing government ownership of the railways. Reid has not yet had a chance to discuss Roosevelt’s letter to Andrew Carnegie with Sir Edward Grey, but plans to bring it up at first chance. Frederick Scott Oliver, author of the new book about Hamilton, does not seem to be a prominent literary figure among the Englishmen Reid has asked. Reid has been watching the Cuban situation with great anxiety, as he has always believed the United States made foolish decisions about Cuba at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Letter from Lord Edward Gleichen to Unknown

Lord Gleichen has been notified that he is to return to England to take up a post in the War Office, and he would like to bring the approaching termination of his appointment to President Roosevelt’s attention. Gleichen requests a short meeting with Roosevelt at Oyster Bay before taking his leave.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-26

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

Anna Roosevelt Cowles informs President Roosevelt that she has seen a newspaper article stating the Hepburn Rate Act had passed and inquires about his reaction to what was amended in the bill. She also writes that the Maharaja (Gaekwar) of Baroda will be visiting and suggests the President see him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-19

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, describing three dinners he recently attended which were hosted by the Chinese Minister, the Pilgrim’s Society, and the Royal Geographical Society, respectively. Reid includes anecdotes about British politicians like Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Winston Churchill, Augustine Birrell, John Morley, and George Curzon. Reid also references issues associated with the education bill, the administration of India, “trouble” in Natal, and negotiations with Russia over Seistan. Reid felt that the details he included might be of interest to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-12

Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry White, United States Ambassador to Italy, tells President Roosevelt that he is pleased Joseph Hodges Choate will head up the delegation to the upcoming Hague Convention of 1907. He glowingly reports on the farewell speech of Lord Curzon upon leaving his post as Viceroy of India. White notes that he will no longer need to send Roosevelt as many direct reports now that the position of Secretary of State is filled by Elihu Root. White expresses his approval of a speech Roosevelt made in Arkansas countering Governor Jeff Davis’s pro-lynching views. White ends by noting that the French ambassador is worried about the position the Germans may adopt at the upcoming Algeciras Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-21

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Baron von Sternburg received President Roosevelt’s letter and telegrams, and reflects on the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian government, and other delicate international relations including India, Afghanistan, and Persia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-25

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid discusses with President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson regarding British and American politics. He also discusses Great Britain’s treaty with Japan and expresses his hope that the British provided at least a hint of such an agreement with the president. He includes a lengthy, handwritten addition congratulating Roosevelt on his coordination of the peace conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-02

Translation of telegram to Novoe Vremya from its London correspondent

John Hays Hammond, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, has been lecturing on the threat Japan poses to America’s political and commercial interests. The Pacific states and Australia fear Japanese immigration and are determined to fight it. American and England should defend their Pacific possessions from Japan. The Japanese claim to have adopted “Anglo-Saxon ideals,” but Hammond calls this into question when he quotes a high-ranking Japanese politician saying it is “Japan’s holy duty to free all Asiatics” and that they should “teach them to conquer Europeans in war, commerce, and culture.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-27

Letter from George Otto Trevelyan to Theodore Roosevelt

George Otto Trevelyan thanks President Roosevelt for his letter, which was praised by his son Charles Philips Trevelyan. Trevelyan has been following newspaper accounts of Roosevelt’s role in dealing with Russia, and laments the problems that beset the late British Prime Minister W. E. Gladstone. He is glad that Roosevelt does not have to deal with similar problems. Trevelyan sends Roosevelt a book about the 1857 mutiny in India.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-30