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Robert Sanderson McCormick has suggested no change to the functions in connection with the turning over of Admiral John Paul Jones’s remains by Special Ambassador Horace Porter to Special Ambassador Francis B. Loomis even though Secretary of State John Hay has died.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-02
Third Assistant Secretary of State Pierce encloses a telegram from Ambassador Robert Sanderson McCormick recommending General Horace Porter be appointed as a Special Ambassador in connection to the upcoming ceremonies for removing the remains of John Paul Jones.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-27
General Porter has in his custody the remains of Admiral John Paul Jones and will formally deliver them to a representative of the United States Government. Robert Sanderson McCormick recommends that Porter be appointed as a special ambassador during the transfer of the remains.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-27
Announcement stating that the President deems it important that the American government show its appreciation of the consideration shown by France to John Paul Jones and that a Special Ambassador from the United States will be sent to France to formally receive the remains of John Paul Jones from the French Government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
General Horace Porter thanks President Roosevelt for his kind letter. He is awaiting the arrival of Admiral Sigsbee’s squadron when he will return to Paris. Porter is greatly pleased at the decision to have the remains of Paul Jones permanently interred at Annapolis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-22
Ambassador Porter submitted his formal resignation to President Roosevelt earlier, but here details various points of the diplomatic situation in France. These include French proposals for the increase on tariffs on imports and the negative effect for American businesses, the needs of American life insurance companies in France, an upcoming world’s convention of the Young Men Christian’s Association, and the finances of the search for the remains of John Paul Jones.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-03
Three elderly naval officers question the spirit of John Paul Jones regarding the “Navy Dept. vs. Jones” for charges of conduct during the Revolutionary War, such as “Item 962 concerning the charge of cowardice” and “Did you get a rake-off in the Grog contract?” A map on the wall in the background shows “the loop of the Bonhomme Richard.” The cartoonist is spoofing a court of inquiry requested by Admiral Winfield Scott Schley following accusations regarding his conduct during the Battle of Santiago. Caption: Chairman of Paul Jones Inquiry Board — Captain Jones, did you or did you not say, “Damn the Alliance! Let her take care of herself!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-07-12
President Roosevelt thanks Marinus W. Dominick for the gift of two books, and tells him that he will keep them in a place of honor in his library.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-26
President Roosevelt tells Senator Penrose that he is doubtful that a battleship could properly be used to transport the body of founding father James Wilson, as Mr. Konkle inquired about, and explains why one was used to transport the body of John Paul Jones. He promises, however, to ask Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. In a postscript, Roosevelt explains that he has spoken with Bonaparte, who informed him that the cruiser Pennsylvania is currently undergoing repairs, and will then head to the Philippines. Roosevelt reiterates that “it does not seem to me appropriate to use the navy for a civilian even as great as James Wilson,” but promises that the government will give him every honor it appropriately can.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-26
President Roosevelt sends President Fallières of France a telegram on the occasion of the reception of the body of John Paul Jones at Annapolis. Roosevelt thanks the French people for their courtesy and aid, and emphasizes the esteem in which France is held in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-24
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit Roosevelt on some of the goings-on of the family, and reports that Kermit’s brother Ted’s eye surgery went well. The egg-rolling at the White House on Easter Monday was great fun for the children, and the white house grounds are looking nice in spring. Roosevelt relates a humorous story involving Kermit’s younger brother Quentin Roosevelt, who “is a funny small person if ever there was one.” Roosevelt is trying to send aid to California, still reeling after a recent earthquake, and has been continuing his fight for a rate bill and the Panama Canal issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
President Roosevelt hopes that Admiral Dewey will be able to attend the ceremonies surrounding the reinterment of John Paul Jones in Annapolis, as “it will be a little like Hamlet with Hamlet left out if you are not there.” He promises to send Dewey there in all comfort.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-18
President Roosevelt hopes that Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte will make a provision for some enlisted men to hear his speech at the occasion of the reinterment of John Paul Jones, as he feels it is important for enlisted men to understand they are “just as much a part of the business as the officers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-17
President Roosevelt asks his cousin, William Emlen Roosevelt, if he and his wife Christine would like to visit sometime in the next several weeks. He proposes that they come on April 23 and attend the ceremonies in Annapolis in conjunction with the reinterment of Revolutionary War Admiral John Paul Jones on April 24, staying a total of two nights with the Roosevelts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-09
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-03
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921
2025-05-01
President Roosevelt was amused at the newspaper clipping Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte sent him. He asks Bonaparte to communicate with General Horace Porter and Maryland Governor Edwin Warfield about the planned celebrations in honor of John Paul Jones.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-20
President Roosevelt directs Acting Secretary of State Loomis to travel to France as a Special Ambassador to receive the remains of Admiral John Paul Jones, which are being repatriated to the United States. Loomis is to travel to France on the flagship of Admiral Sigsbee, and present all due gratitude and appreciation to the Government of France on behalf of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
President Roosevelt tells Charles J. Bonaparte he cannot be present on Peggy Stewart Day, and it can probably be arranged to have the reinterment on the anniversary of John Paul Jones taking the Serapis on September 23. Roosevelt is “mighty glad” Bonaparte made a recent speech, which Roosevelt believed was “good from every standpoint.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
President Roosevelt wants to speak on the anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain during his trip but cannot set a fixed date as his schedule is busy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
President Roosevelt reluctantly accepted Ambassador Porter’s resignation, effective April 30, 1905. He understands Porter’s reasons, however, and thanks him for staying on slightly longer than he had originally hoped. He urgently requested Congress act on the John Paul Jones matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-15