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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
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom reminds President Roosevelt that Roosevelt had written that he hoped to move Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis to another position and appoint Griscom as Assistant Secretary of State. Griscom expresses his sincere gratitude for being considered for the position and hopes that he will be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Ambassador Griscom sends Secretary of State Hay an exchange of telegrams between the U.S. State Department and the Japanese Legation regarding peace talks between Russia and Japan. The telegrams discuss representatives of the Japanese government’s misgivings about Russia’s intent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Elihu Root writes to President Roosevelt from the train to Philadelphia where he is going to consult with Mayor John Weaver. Root thinks Roosevelt’s letter to Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton is “bully” and only has one or two verbal suggestions to offer. Clarence Winthrop Bowen came to visit Root and ask for “merciful treatment” for his brother, Herbert Wolcott Bowen, who is embroiled in a libel case with Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Caspar Whitney states Herbert Wolcott Bowen denied starting a newspaper campaign against Assistant Secretary of State Loomis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-14
Secretary of War Taft and Herbert Wolcott Bowen question Harry Unwin on his work as an auditor for the asphalt trust. Taft and Bowen focus on a bank draft for $5,000 or $10,000 which Unwin was instructed to send to Henry W. Bean in Venezuela.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Loomis and Herbert Wolcott Bowen question William Worthington Russell about papers left by Loomis in Caracas, Venezuela. Russell states that the papers were left in the safe but Bowen contends that he found some of them on Russell’s desk. Russell denies opening any of the papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Senator Lodge tells President Roosevelt about the establishment of a big German coaling station in St. Thomas, which indicates that German Emperor William II is “still hankering after those islands.” Lodge recommends quickly buying Greenland. In addition, Lodge recommends replacing Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, and disagrees with Shaw’s plan for issuing bonds. Lodge comments on various prominent events happening in the United States and the world and explains he is enjoying his time in “this old Italian town,” but is beginning to long for home. He wants to be near Roosevelt and not have to watch from a distance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Secretary of War Taft discusses the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Bowen’s claims against Assistant Secretary of State Loomis. Bowen wants to prove that Loomis took bribery money. Taft offers to carry out an investigation with witnesses to clear up any misunderstandings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Caspar Whitney thanks President Roosevelt for the information on the conflict between Herbert Wolcott Bowen and Assistant Secretary of State Loomis. Whitney discusses the details of the accusations against and investigation of Loomis and the impact it will have on relations with Venezuela.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
This transcript presents a governmental interview of William Worthington Russell regarding the Mercado affair, wherein government officials were accused of profiting off of economic transactions and the sale of Venezuelan salt bonds. Russell is interviewed by Secretary of War William H. Taft, Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis, and Herbert Wolcott Bowen regarding his position as Secretary of Legation in Venezuela, and regarding Loomis’s conduct when he was the Minister to Venezuela. Russell testifies that in the Mercado claim he acted in a friendly, unofficial capacity, and did not personally profit off of anything.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Caspar Whitney responds to a letter President Roosevelt previously sent him concerning the libel case between Assistant Secretary of State Loomis and Herbert Wolcott Bowen. Whitney admits that he knows little about the case, but that he believes Bowen to be a good public servant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Herbert Wolcott Bowen writes to William H. Taft regarding an incident in which Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis, when Minister to Venezuela, allegedly purchased the Mercade claim. Bowen asks Taft to send him to Caracas with Captain Parker and Consul Carlton Bailey Hurst under orders to take testimony of anyone acquainted with the case and to get certified copies of papers showing the bank and governmental transactions of Loomis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Assistant Secretary of State Loomis and Secretary of State Hay believe that President Roosevelt should not attend the Dutch Minister’s wedding. He should simply send a note of thanks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-20
President Roosevelt tries to push Secretary of War William H. Taft onto an already overloaded Republican elephant, which carries a lot of baggage: “Philippine scandal,” “Panama Canal supplies,” “tariff reduction,” “Loomis Rex. Whitewash,” “Morton Railroad Rebate scandal,” “Anti-trust fiasco,” and “wood Manila.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09
President Roosevelt uses an “appointment” sponge to clean Elihu Root with “equitable corporations” water. Roosevelt stands beside a “Roosevelt’s patent purifier” barrel. Behind Roosevelt and Root are two outfits for Paul Morton and Acting Secretary of State and a “Secretary of State’s chair.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-07
President Roosevelt rows a boat with “Morton” and “Loomis” paddles with an “H” flag while John D. Rockefeller rows a boat with “tainted money” and “rebates” paddles with a “Y” flag. In the background is a “higher ideals” buoy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-30
President Roosevelt uses “official whitewash” to paint Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton and First Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis. A man who has a “dismissal” paint can attached to himself runs away.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-22
President Roosevelt believes that the Russian business is in fair shape and has sent the letters to Assistant Secretary of State Loomis in order to bring a formal end to the whole affair. He has no problem with the Russians knowing about his irritation at their conduct in Manchuria and believes that the country would support extreme action on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-18
President Roosevelt approves of the letter to Assistant Secretary of State Loomis, which has been sent. He was delighted with the cable from China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17