Long, John Davis, 1838-1915

President Roosevelt would never deny a request from Maria Longworth Storer for anything but political reasons. He does not intend to make any changes to his Cabinet and is particularly impressed with Secretary of War Elihu Root. Roosevelt would take many things into consideration before appointing any man to a Cabinet position. At present, it would not be advisable to appoint a Catholic man as ambassador to Germany or Italy. If the position of ambassador to France becomes available, it could be offered to Bellamy Storer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-04

President Roosevelt looks on as members of his 1906 cabinet laugh at papers with the heading, “Storer.” One chair is empty, and there are pictures on the wall of Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith, Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long, Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage, and Attorney General Philander C. Knox, all from 1901.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This political cartoon by Clifford Kennedy Berryman, with its typically awkward depictions of public figures, addresses not the general composition of President Roosevelt’s cabinet, although it was within a week of this cartoon that Oscar S. Strauss succeeded George B. Cortelyou as Secretary of Commerce and Labor, the latter moving to the Treasure portfolio.

New Year’s letters featuring greetings and wishes from Andrew Carnegie, Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long, and the “Father of Greater New York,” likely referring to A. H. Green.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-31

Secretary John Davis Long’s letter was sent to Senator Redfield Proctor on November 14, 1901.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-31

Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the birthday present she sent. The family has arrived in Washington and he registered the two little boys in school. Roosevelt compliments his boss, Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long, and is headed to Ohio to speak on behalf of Senator Hanna.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-10-28

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is pleased and astonished to be named Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He credits Senator Lodge with fighting for him and awaits Senate confirmation. He regrets he will not be able to greet Anna when she returns home and compliments her husband William Sheffield Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-04-11

Secretary of the Navy Long encloses a letter from Winslow Warren regarding Filipino issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-02-26

Cartoon shows a barber’s chair labeled “Resignation Chair” from which Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long is leaving. Awaiting their turns are the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-15

Theodore Roosevelt remembers that Senator Redfield Proctor championed him for Assistant Secretary of the Navy as did Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Senator Murphy, Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long, and Charles A. Dana of the New York Sun.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-04

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Munroe Smith for sending his pamphlet, “Military Strategy versus Diplomacy.” Roosevelt corrects Smith that he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to John Davis Long and while Long was a “high-minded, honorable man,” Roosevelt believes he was unfit to lead the Navy. For example, one of Long’s theories was to hold all warships in port until there was danger of war. After the sinking of the USS Maine, Long refused to prepare the Navy for war as he believed this would “tend to bring about war.” Roosevelt’s actual advice to William McKinley was that the Spanish government should be informed that the United States would consider the Spanish fleet being sent to American waters as a declaration of war. If the fleet were still sent, then it would be attacked on the high seas. This is different from Long’s statement but Roosevelt doubts that Long sees the distinction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-24

President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

A. N. Williams asks President Roosevelt for a decision on whether an executive order applies to the ship keepers working for the Navy. Williams has already applied to several others within the Navy and has received rulings that treat the ship keepers differently than other government employees. He requests that if the ship keepers must work on these days that they be allowed overtime pay as set forth in Roosevelt’s executive order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-20

President Roosevelt is anxious to know Governor Long’s condition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-30

President Roosevelt is delighted to hear of Governor Long’s improvement and would like to remain advised on Long’s condition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-31

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt does not take part in government affairs, so Bessie Harrison’s letter will be brought to Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long’s attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-25

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt asks Captain Boutelle to visit him when he gets to Washington in order to consult about a bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-12-02

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt has brought Francis T. Bowles’s letter to the attention of Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long. Long wants to look into the issue himself before committing to a position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-11-06

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Curtis Guild that two others have spoken to him about Pope. He will bring Guild’s letter to the attention of Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long. Roosevelt is not directly involved in the matter but will do what he can to help Pope.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-10-25

Wilbur S. Hinman informs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Lodge intends to give Wilson his old position at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Since Roosevelt did not reply to his telegram yesterday, Hinman sent William a message to Dominic I. Murphy saying that Roosevelt likely will not be able to attend the banquet for Bishop John J. Keane.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-10-12

On behalf of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Wilbur S. Hinman informs Senator Lodge that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long has directed Wilson to be transferred to his previous position at the Boston Navy Yard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-10-15