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President Roosevelt provides Secretary of State Root information regarding a pamphlet that Bellamy Storer sent to the members of the cabinet. Storer did not give a full account of the events that led up to his dismissal from his ambassadorial post. Roosevelt seeks to address this by including the text of letters between himself and the Storers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-02
Maurice France Egan writes to President Roosevelt regarding his thoughts on the Bellamy Storer / “Dear Maria” scandal. Egan shares that he and many others feel sympathy for Archbishop John Ireland after the recent controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-10
Postmaster General Cortelyou wishes to set the record straight regarding any supposed endorsements President McKinley made of religious officials. Cortelyou informs President Roosevelt that the statements made by Bellamy Storer in a recent pamphlet are distortions of the truth, as McKinley was careful never to influence a religious organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01
Bellamy Storer writes to President Roosevelt asking him to consider the facts, which Storer has enclosed as a statement of points, regarding his dismissal from diplomatic service. The dismissal was based on the grounds that both Storer’s conduct, in his capacity as an American ambassador, and his wife Maria Longworth Storer’s conduct in Rome, blurred the lines of public office and personal opinion regarding the promotion of Archbishop John Ireland to Cardinal. Storer defends his actions, including full and partial correspondence between those chiefly involved, to prove that he was acting in his public capacity at the request of President Roosevelt, which Roosevelt now denies. Storer is aggrieved that he was dismissed before his letter of resignation could have reached Washington since he was on leave in Egypt at the time he received Roosevelt’s request for his resignation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-18
William H. Taft makes a copy of a portion of a letter explaining a recent letter to Maria Longworth Storer. Storer had sent Taft letters from John Ireland and Salvatore Cortesi in order to explain why she did not reply to President Roosevelt’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-24
Ambassador White informs President Roosevelt about American relations with the Vatican, including a controversial dinner White had with four cardinals in honor of Archbishop John Ireland. He says that some in the Vatican, including Pope Pius X, approved of the meeting, while others did not, given that the United States and the Vatican did not officially have relations at that time. White makes a number of other short remarks on various diplomats and the relationship between the Italian Government and the Vatican. White tells Roosevelt that Cardinal Merry del Val and the Pope both appreciated the signed photographs Roosevelt sent them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-27
William H. Taft encloses a copy of a letter he wrote to Archbishop John Ireland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-29
Eugene A. Philbin showed Archbishop John M. Farley Roosevelt’s letter to Bellamy Storer dated December 11, 1905. Farley was pleased with the respect shown to the Catholic Church. Monsignor John Edwards, already an admirer of Roosevelt, was also pleased with the letter. Neither man holds ill will against Archbishop John Ireland. Philbin believes that church and state must be kept apart. Any reciprocal relationship between the two would be “intolerable.” Philbin is glad that Storer brought this problem to light and created a new standard for public life. Storer had used President Roosevelt’s name and his own diplomatic position in trying to get Ireland named a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, which led to Storer’s dismissal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-08
George Edward Graham writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Roosevelt Home Club and the purchase of the Roosevelt homestead. The Club’s aim is to restore the home to the condition it was in when Roosevelt was born. Graham lists the names of individuals who are contributing to the objectives and acknowledges Roosevelt’s stance on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-13
Archbishop Keane wishes to remind President Roosevelt of a petition that he and Cardinal Gibbons presented for Nelson O’Shaughnessy to be appointed the Secretary of the Embassy at London. He can get additional endorsements from Archbishops Farley and Ireland, if necessary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905
Maria Longworth Storer writes to Secretary of War Taft about the status of Archbishop John Ireland’s possible selection for cardinal. Storer had previously written to President Roosevelt about her concerns. She offered to carry a cable directly to Pope Pius X about the president’s good opinion of the archbishop. Her intentions are to bypass the prelates who are not in favor of the archbishop’s nomination. Two copies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-27
An article in the California Christian Advocate has published an article discussing Maria Longworth Storer’s attempt to secure President Roosevelt’s endorsement in a “scheme” to convince Pope Pius X to appoint Archbishop John Ireland a cardinal. Roosevelt did not give his endorsement because it would be improper to interfere in the official business of the Catholic church. Nonetheless, Storer “caused the impression to be conveyed to the pope that the President desired Ireland” for the cardinal position, although Pope Pius X denies this. The writer of the article believes Roosevelt to be “so open-minded, so sincere, so frank, that the Roman church has found him an easy mark for its schemes.” The writer goes on to accuse Rome of “defying” the President by trying to prevent the recall of Ambassador Storer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
Maria Longworth Storer continues to advocate and seek support for the elevation of Archbishop John Ireland to the College of Cardinals. She offers to carry a cable directly to Pope Pius X about President Roosevelt’s good opinion of the Archbishop. Her intentions are to bypass the prelates who are not in favor of the Archbishop’s nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-20
John C. Delaney of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, compliments President Roosevelt as a politician, Republican, Christian, patriot, and man. Delaney claims that Roosevelt had the courage to “break down and scatter to the four winds of heaven the bigotry” against Catholicism in the United States. He urges Roosevelt to continue in his position, stating that no matter how great men such as William H. Taft, Elihu Root, and George B. Cortelyou are, they are of no comparison to Roosevelt. Delaney further states that Roosevelt appeals to all Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-11
Charles H. Brent expresses thanks for Theodore Roosevelt’s letter that showed appreciation for his article responding to Foreman and Archbishop John Ireland. Brent is looking forward to Secretary of War William H. Taft’s visit to the Philippines. He expresses concern that the results of the visit by Taft’s commission will not be beneficial, and will cause discord in the Philippines. Brent compliments the commissioner as “a strong man,” but adds that there is concern that he is “overtaxing his strength.” He adds that the Atlantic Monthly wants to publish the second half of his article only. The North American Review will publish it in its entirety in August.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-14
Eugene A. Philbin received William Loeb’s letter and has read the enclosed letters from Father John Ireland and Colonel Clarence Ransom Edwards. He believes the matter of the Filipino students has been handled satisfactorily. The blunder of William A. Sutherland has been a good thing, providing President Roosevelt an opportunity to show his desire to be just and fair. The Daily News is calling for intervention into the case of children abducted from Catholic sisters in Arizona, but Roosevelt has already taken action. Philbin has received more letters regarding the Friar Lands Question which contain facts that should be brought to the attention of Roosevelt, but this should wait until after the election. Thomas A. Dwyer, a religious charlatan, is claiming he interviewed Roosevelt and received a favor from him. Philbin believes this is of no concern and mentions it only in passing. He returns the letters from Ireland and Edwards. He leaves tomorrow night for New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-29
Eugene A. Philbin, an attorney in New York, thanks President Roosevelt for his indirect involvement in a difficult situation involving the New York Foundling Asylum. The sisters of the asylum for the first time sent children to be placed with families in Arizona, where they were taken by a mob. William Loeb referred Philbin to the office of Acting Attorney General Henry Martyn Hoyt, who was able to resolve the situation by involving local authorities. Philbin also briefly mentions matters regarding religious leadership in the Congo and the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-21
William H. Taft warns President Roosevelt that Bellamy and Maria Longworth Storer are about to descend on him. While Taft likes Mrs. Storer and thinks her an admirable woman, she is indiscreet. Taft will be giving an address at Notre Dame University in October, but if the President thinks it unwise, politically, for Taft to speak at a Catholic university, he will postpone until after the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-02
Maurice Francis Egan will soon travel westward through New York. He believes that the gold standard will remain fixed only if there is a party committed to it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-10
Thomas St. John Gaffney writes to President Roosevelt about an enclosure regarding the Consul General of Italy. Gaffney spoke with Collier’s Weekly owner, Peter Fenelon Collier, about Norman Hapgood’s editorials. Collier reassured Gaffney that the paper supports Roosevelt and Collier will speak with Hapgood about supporting the President in his editorials so there is no doubt as to how the newspaper stands. Gaffney also mentions a reception for Cardinal Satolli; his plans for the Chicago convention; and Archbishop Ireland meeting him before the event. Gaffney reminds the President to speak with Monsignor O’Connell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-08