Lee of Fareham, Viscountess (Ruth Moore Lee), 1891-1941

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is looking forward to visiting Arthur Hamilton Lee while in England. If Roosevelt visits in the fall he would be pleased to visit Lee’s hunting lodge, and he details his experiences in deer stalking and fox hunting. Roosevelt agrees with Lee on international athletics and finds that such competition often ends in an unhealthy bitterness. Roosevelt will read The Quarterly, in particular the article on Germany, and he has things to say to Lee in person rather than on paper.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee is enjoying his holiday in the Scottish Highlands and feels refreshed after engaging in outdoor recreation. He is glad to hear Theodore Roosevelt is likewise taking pleasure in his leisure. Lee discusses recent British political issues, including debates over Constitutional law and Irish Home Rule. Additionally, he comments on international relations between Morocco, Germany, and France, and the United States’ proposed arbitration treaty with Great Britain. Hopefully, in the near future, he and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, can travel to the United States and visit the Roosevelt family. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-10

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt describes Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s accident to Arthur Hamilton Lee. Edith Roosevelt has had a very narrow escape after being thrown from her horse, remaining unconscious for 24 hours, and partially dislocating three upper cervical vertebrae. She is still in a lot of pain and Theodore Roosevelt is not sure when she will be able to get out of bed, but Ethel Roosevelt Derby has been a help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for sending him the portraits, and returns the three as requested. He plans to give several copies out as Christmas presents, but feels like he should be sparing with the others. Roosevelt is glad to hear Lee’s news that the British people are aware of the necessities of national defense, and applauds the agreement with Japan. Roosevelt believes his strategy of friendly communication with Japan in conjunction with the demonstration of sending the fleet around the world, has produced good results for the United States. Roosevelt is looking forward to his safari, and believes that President-Elect William Howard Taft will do a good job as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt delightedly thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for the gift of Pinckney Marcius-Simons’s painting, “Seats of the Mighty.” Roosevelt has been trying to find the perfect place worthy of the piece. George Nathaniel Curzon, Chancellor of Oxford, invited Roosevelt to deliver the Romanes lecture upon returning from Africa. While in England, Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Lee and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee. Everything is going well politically, and Roosevelt believes William H. Taft will be elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad to have received Arthur Hamilton Lee’s letter. He does not need a rest and would rather stay in the fight, but a leader must understand those he serves and maintain their belief in his honesty. He has had to fight against both the mob mentality of the poor and the overwhelming wealth and greed of the powerful. Though his course of action did not cause the panic, it may have hurried its occurrence, and the press, mostly controlled by Wall Street, could sway the public toward William Randolph Hearst or William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt continues striving to “keep the left center together.” There will likely not be any issue with Great Britain, and while issue could arise with Japan, the Pacific states, Australia, and British Columbia feel the same as the United States does. Roosevelt asks Lee to give an introduction to Fülöp Laszlo, the painter, to see if there will he time to have a portrait painted, as Lee requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt believes Arthur Hamilton Lee handled the “Swettenham matter” efficiently, calling the matter itself a “cosmic incident” and citing others like Swettenham in American Government, most notably General James Harrison Wilson. He was amused by the opinions of John William Burgess, who was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt professorship in at the University of Berlin. While Roosevelt admires some of Burgess’s scholarly accomplishments, he considers Burgess “hopefully wrong-headed” and criticizes his first lecture denouncing the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt hopes that Arthur Hamilton Lee is not worrying about the incident between Governor of Jamaica James Alexander Swettenham and Rear Admiral C. H. Davis in the aftermath of the Kingston Earthquake. Roosevelt assures Lee that he has dealt with worse characters than Swettenham, including several former American diplomats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt was concerned to hear that Arthur Hamilton Lee was ill, and hopes he recovers soon. He does not consider what he wants to say to Lee important enough to warrant Lee coming to the United States. If Lee is already planning to make such a trip, however, he invites him to visit the White House for several nights so they can discuss various topics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt agreed with almost everything in Arthur Hamilton Lee’s recent letter. He is especially pleased with the treaty of Portsmouth between Russia and Japan and the Anglo-Japanese treaty. He also tells Lee that he believes that the American navy is steadily becoming more efficient.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt hopes Arthur Hamilton Lee can visit this summer and is glad to hear about Prince Louis of Battenberg. If the British fleet is at Annapolis, Maryland, around October 1, Roosevelt will meet it there. Roosevelt tells Lee not to worry about a “possible contest” between England and the United States, as he treats it “as out of the question.” If the fleet is able to come between October 1 and October 18, Roosevelt will be able to receive the officers at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt thanks Civil Lord of the Admiralty Lee for his telegram and looks forward to seeing Lee and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, when they next come to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee writes Theodore Roosevelt on the issue of the “Parliament Bill.”  Lee details the effects the bill, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords are having on Great Britain and its politics. He also tells Roosevelt about George V, King of Great Britain and his new success as king. Lee inquires how Roosevelt and politics in the United States are going, along with Roosevelt’s views on the Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty. He asks how Roosevelt and his family is doing. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-15

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Lee thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the copy of African Game Trails. Campaign exhaustion has prevented him from writing, especially the platform speaking, which upsets his nerves. He discusses the United Kingdom’s frustrating general elections and wishes Roosevelt could help. Hopefully, Roosevelt can bring about President William H. Taft’s renomination. Lee urges Roosevelt to take an extended holiday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-09

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee is unsure how to address President Roosevelt after his term of office has ended, but feels they can discuss this following his return from Africa. Lee does not plan to write while Roosevelt is away other than by request. Lee explains that for Roosevelt’s visit to London in 1910, he has automobiles, stenographers and more waiting to serve Roosevelt. Lee hopes Roosevelt will visit his country homes, and spends the majority of the letter describing their looks and amenities. Finally, he encourages Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Derby Roosevelt to stay with himself and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, if they come to England in advance of Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-01

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee appreciates the friendly letters from President Roosevelt and asks that Roosevelt and his family leave ample time for their visit to England. It is unfortunate that Roosevelt will not be present for the deer-stalking. Lee is pleased Roosevelt will deliver the Romanes lecture at Oxford. The outcome of the election has seemed unclear from abroad, and Lee is glad to hear Roosevelt’s positive update on William H. Taft. Lee asks if Roosevelt will elaborate on statements from his letters about information that he wants to share in person. If the information could assist Lee in serving his country and there was no other way to discuss it, he would come to the United States, but he assures Roosevelt that a message could be transmitted safely through the embassy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-04

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee writes to President Roosevelt about the president’s impending retirement and hopes that it will not impact Anglo-American relations significantly when another man takes office. Lee is distressed about how the papers in New York are covering Roosevelt, as if his character is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He hopes the president continues to shine light in dark places of the securities industry so that scandals will be brought to light. Lee ends his letter requesting that Roosevelt sit for a painter, Fülöp László, for two to three hours and believes that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will agree.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-13

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee recently returned from Canada where he was on a mission to gather opinions related to the Alaskan Arbitration land dispute. Locals seems to be glad the matter is over, although there is resentment towards Newfoundland’s “modus vivendi.” Self-described “King of Newfoundland” Robert Gillespie Reid thinks only the basest politicians are against it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-30

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee tells President Roosevelt of his and his wife’s, Ruth Moore Lee, travel plans to visit New York and Washington, D.C., including the addresses at which he can be reached. Lee asks when it would be most convenient for them to meet and discuss “the matter” and says they are delighted to spend a couple of nights at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-03

Creator(s)

Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947