Your TR Source
President Roosevelt tells Hector Munro Ferguson how much he is looking forward to meeting Arthur F. Winnington Ingram, Bishop of London, in Oyster Bay, and sends his love to Ferguson’s family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
President Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and his wife Isabella Ferguson for the book that they sent. He asks Ferguson to also thank his wife for writing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-26
President Roosevelt tells Patty Selmes that he was glad to give an item to John, and knows he will fare well. He also notes that Selmes, her daughter Isabella Ferguson, and Ferguson’s newly born daughter Martha Ferguson have all been on his mind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-12
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit from his trip with Archie and Quentin Roosevelt to Silver City, New Mexico. He met up with his friends Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and his wife Isabella and John Campell Greenway. He says Kermit has set a good example for his brothers and Roosevelt cannot wait to see him in a few weeks and Mother may come as well.
1913-07-11
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit in reference to a letter Kermit sent to him that Kermit had received from a friend. Roosevelt tells him the friend probably heard some baseless slander about Kermit and was trying to be kindly so Kermit should not be annoyed. He says he has tried out the new Winchester rifles at Dr. Rixey’s and wants Kermit to try them when he comes home for Christmas. Roosevelt adds that he has been riding and jumping the horses and playing tennis. He encloses a letter from Frank M. Chapman, the American Museum of Natural History’s ornithology director.
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to thank him for helping Robert and Isabella Ferguson with their tragedy. Roosevelt talks of riding and says he had to sell two of the horses. He also adds more updates on the planning for their African hunting trip.
1908-11-27
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and Isabella Greenway Ferguson for remembering his and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s silver wedding anniversary. They spent it alone and drank some madeira from her grandfather. Kermit Roosevelt was impressed with Robert’s letter. Roosevelt wants to see the Ferguson family but his plans are uncertain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Theodore Roosevelt was relieved to receive Alford Warriner Cooley’s letter since he was upset to hear of Cooley’s relapse. He is interested in Cooley’s report of New Mexico and comments on the recent elections in New York, Massachusetts, and several other states. Roosevelt is staying neutral in presidential nominations and asserts he does not want the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-14
Theodore Roosevelt updates Cecil Spring Rice on the members of the Roosevelt family. Roosevelt feels that British politics are much more interesting than politics in the United States at the moment. He is disappointed in President Taft, and thinks that his leadership has divided the conservative and progressive streams within the Republican Party. However, Roosevelt would like to see Taft elected again. Roosevelt has “no sympathy with [Taft’s] arbitration treaty business” and believes the treaty should be strictly between Great Britain and the United States. Roosevelt also writes about his contentment with his life at the moment, writing for The Outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. His current travel is his last “business trip,” and he hopes to see Ferguson and visit John Avery McIlhenny next time. Edward Grey recently wrote to him about his brother, George Grey. Roosevelt confirms that he wrote the article on Governor Morton. He agrees with Ferguson that Arizona and New Mexico should be admitted to statehood and that Great Britain needs time to reshape its government. Roosevelt wishes he could see Ferguson and his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
Theodore Roosevelt sends a memento made from the skin of a rhinoceros he shot in Africa to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt jokes about skunks suffering from hydrophobia in Arizona and New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed seeing Alford Warriner Cooley and hopes to see his family and the Fergusons while in New Mexico. He found Cooley’s description of the situation in New Mexico interesting but disagrees with Gifford Pinchot that Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger and President William H. Taft are crooks. Roosevelt comments on the current political situation, including Taft’s renomination. He wants to be perfectly clear that he does not want to be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-11-23
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for the letter and conveys greetings from his family. Roosevelt is sending Ferguson a book, and asks that he share it with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson once he is finished with it. Roosevelt tells about a conversation he had with a German friend who said that the way the United States neglected its duty in Mexico had caused as much suffering as Germany’s actions caused in Belgium, and that Roosevelt thinks he is right. Roosevelt also comments on many people who want to keep America out of the war, and says that England suffers because of the current prominence of their point of view.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt has been traveling all over the country, engaged in a “hopeless political fight,” and has not had time to get in touch with Isabella or Mrs. Selmes. He is not sorry that he made the fight for it was “demanded by decency.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-05
The Progressive Party is in a “hopeless struggle” but Theodore Roosevelt’s friends are fighting and he must support them. However, he hopes to find time to see Isabella Selmes Ferguson and the children. Roosevelt agrees with the Spectator article; England is right, the wrongs against Belgium must be redressed, and in the future Russia may be the greatest threat to civilization. Roosevelt fears the consequences of breaking up Germany but Western Europe cannot be left at Germany’s mercy. He regrets that President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are leading the nation through the crisis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-05
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Balkans War, commending the Bulgarians for doing so well. Roosevelt also states that he will show Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s letter to Gifford Pinchot and Amos Pinchot, in hopes that Ferguson will help the brothers turn their attention from trying to root the moderates out the party. Roosevelt then provides several book recommendations on the Turkish invasion of Europe. Finally, Roosevelt expresses his wish to see Ferguson’s wife and children at Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-10
President Roosevelt sends word to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson that he will be leaving public office in “a rather stormy fashion,” being attacked by both houses of Congress and by the press. James Bryce has remarked that bringing libel cases against the biggest two offenders in newspapers will be a service to the American public. Bryce and John Morley suggested Roosevelt make a statement about the British in India, which he plans to do presently. Some of Roosevelt’s English friends sent him a rifle for use on his African safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-17
President Roosevelt tells Dean Byron S. Hurlbut that his son, Theodore Roosevelt, is very pleased about receiving the honorary scholarship and finishing his courses in three years because Roosevelt had previously had to speak with him about reports he was not doing well. Roosevelt will gladly speak with Ferdinand V. Blair, but does not think he can be of much assistance, as he thinks that the diplomatic service is often a poor career choice. Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and Isabella Ferguson appreciated having Roosevelt’s son Kermit visit them recently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-13
President Roosevelt was comforted by the news he got about Robert Harry Munro Ferguson from his daughter, Ethel Roosevelt. Roosevelt wishes he could visit Ferguson and his wife, Isabella Ferguson, himself. He told Douglas Robinson that Ferguson “should be made to charge something adequate for [his] services as trustee.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-04
President Roosevelt was glad to read what his son, Theodore Roosevelt, wrote about his brother Kermit Roosevelt. He sympathizes with Ted’s opinion about work, and says that he will eventually reach the point where he can have both work and leisure, but agrees that having only leisure would be worse than only work. Roosevelt had received a copy of Wind in the Willows, but had not read it yet. He plans to do so now, based on Ted’s recommendation. Roosevelt’s schedule is as busy as ever, both with his usual presidential work, as well as his preparations for his safari and the lectures he will be giving abroad. Roosevelt hopes to be able to save the money he makes by writing after leaving the presidency to help his children until they are all able to earn their own livings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03, 1908-12-06