Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

Henry J. Hendrix describes the negotiations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, between Russia and Japan in an effort to end the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. Hendrix also details the role played by President Theodore Roosevelt, especially his use of third parties to act as intermediaries between him and the warring powers. Hendrix notes that Roosevelt persuaded the Japanese to surrender their demand for an indemnity from the Russians, convincing them that asking for a payment would appear to the world as continuing the war simply for money. Hendrix asserts that studying the negotiations reveals that Roosevelt was in charge of his diplomacy; that he was “deeply involved” in the process; and that he made effective use of back-channel or third party diplomacy. 

Two photographs and two political cartoons of Roosevelt illustrate the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

John A. Gable discusses the discovery of three photographs that show Theodore Roosevelt and his cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt together. Gable also provides context for the photographs, discovered by the author Geoffrey C. Ward, in detailing the libel case brought against Theodore Roosevelt by William Barnes. The three photographs show the two Roosevelts on their way to court in Syracuse, New York, on May 4, 1915. Two of the photographs appear in the article. The photograph on the back cover of this issue, and referenced in the article, shows Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt onboard a ship with Theodore Roosevelt upon his return to the United States from his African safari in 1910.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1990

Creator(s)

Gable, John A.

Photograph showing President Roosevelt with his “Tennis Cabinet” on the White House lawn on March 1, 1909, when a farewell luncheon was held for the group. Shown from left to right behind Theodore Roosevelt are military aide Archie Butt, Third Assistant Secretary of State William Phillips, Commissioner of the Bureau of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop, Chief of U.S. Forest Service Gifford Pinchot, Comptroller of Currency Lawrence O. Murray, U.S. District Attorney Henry L. Stimson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Herbert Livingston Satterlee, Associate Justice William H. Moody, U.S. District Attorney John Carter Rose, Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry, G. W. Woodruff, French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand, William Walter Heffelfinger, Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer, Commission of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp, John Avery McIlhenny, Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield, U.S. Marshal Seth Bullock, Solicitor General Henry Martyn Hoyt, U.S. Marshal John R. Abernathy, Luther S. Kelly, Secretary of State Robert Bacon, Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill, William Wingate Sewall, Commissioner General of Immigration Daniel J. Keefe, First Assistant Secretary of State James Callan O’Laughlin, James Bronson Reynolds, Henry S. Pritchett, and secretary William Loeb. In the foreground is the Alexander Phimster Proctor sculpture, “Stalking Panther,” which was presented to Roosevelt by his “Tennis Cabinet” at the luncheon.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1909-03-01

Creator(s)

Clinedinst, Barnett McFee, 1862-1953

This newspaper article speaks about the negative press coverage of the meeting between Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-08

Creator(s)

Unknown

It has been reported that former New York City mayor Seth Low accepted an ambassadorship from President Roosevelt in a recent meeting. Low will become ambassador of Mexico, or of Italy. Reports state that he would prefer Italy, and thus would displace current ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer, whose term expires in December.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-25

Creator(s)

Unknown

It is reported that at a dinner with President Roosevelt, Ambassador to Italy George von Lengerke Meyer was told that his resignation is expected, in order for former New York City mayor Seth Low to take up the post. Meyer was made ambassador by William McKinley in 1900, with the understanding that he would resign after a year. Meyer has not resigned, much to the consternation of Secretary of State John Hay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-26

Creator(s)

Unknown

President Roosevelt opens his cabinet, which features busts of his cabinet members, and tells them, “Come now, all of you must take the stump.” In the foreground is the “Taft campaign stump” and the following cabinet members are depicted as busts: Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou, Bureau of Corporations James Rudolph Garfield, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War Luke E. Wright, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer, Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-26

In this detailed cartoon, a variety of individuals try to figure out if Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell—who has run off—touched second base, which has a container of “oil” on it. Uncle Sam stands in the center of the diamond and says, “It’s a draw.” A large group of people congregate just off the first-base line, including William H. Taft, Samuel Gompers, William Jennings Bryan, Norman Edward Mack, William Loeb, President Roosevelt, William F. Sheehan, Alton B. Parker, and George von Lengerke Meyer. A variety of people are around the field: Charles Francis Murphy, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, New York Lieutenant Governor Lewis S. Chanler, William James Conners, and Patrick Henry McCarren. John D. Rockefeller, John D. Archbold, Henry Huttleston Rogers, and James Roscoe Day all watch from the side. In another section of the audience, the Democratic donkey and Republican elephant fight. A handwritten note is included: “Mr. President: This is so good I have to send it to you.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Creator(s)

Powers, Thomas E., 1870-1939

An article in The American Review of Reviews reflects on the current political situation in Congress, especially lamenting that both houses are controlled by powerful cliques who work in their own interests, often at the expense of legislation that would benefit the people. In particular, tariffs and appropriations for the construction of battleships are discussed. The author also speculates about the outcomes of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the upcoming presidential campaign, as well as the necessity of a good man to run the Republican convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-21

Creator(s)

Unknown

This Times article discusses President Roosevelt’s campaign against anarchism in the United States, especially in light of several recent anarchist attacks in the United States in 1908. The article suggests if Roosevelt can figure out a way to suppress anarchist doctrines, he will be doing a great service to mankind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

President Roosevelt issues a memorandum on his personal relationships with several people, including Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, George H. Lyman, Francis C. Lowell, and Winthrop Murray Crane. Roosevelt comments on when he came to know these men, and how, if at all, his personal relationships shaped his actions in giving or not giving certain people positions in the administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt issues a memorandum on his personal relationships with several people, including Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, George H. Lyman, Francis C. Lowell, and Winthrop Murray Crane. Roosevelt seeks to add some additional context to a memorandum by Lodge, and comments on when he came to know these men, and how, if at all, his personal relationships shaped his actions in giving or not giving certain people positions in the administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Charles Willis Thompson writes in the Washington Post that while George von Lengerke Meyer is the nominal Postmaster General of the United States, it is in fact Frank H. Hitchcock, the First Assistant Postmaster General, who runs the Post Office Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Creator(s)

Thompson, Charles Willis, 1871-1946

Secretary of the Treasury and former Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou delivers a speech in honor of Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer. Cortelyou describes how the post office is improving under Meyer’s supervision. Cortelyou mentions that the postmasters are being treated by their supervisors as equals and are building morale among the different members of the office. The new policies offer a more meritorious system of promotions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-22

Creator(s)

Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940

Frank H. Hitchcock has two competing job opportunities. President Roosevelt and Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer want Hitchcock to stay in his position as Assistant Postmaster General, while Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou wants him to replace the current Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Hitchcock is dismayed that the press makes him out to be the only man who can assess the current political climate in the Roosevelt administration, and swears that he is not currently campaigning for any candidate for president. Hitchcock has traveled around the South, Midwest, and Pacific coast, alarming local politicians who assume he is campaigning. Hitchcock has jurisdiction over several thousand postmasters in the United States, further establishing his influence over the nominating process.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Reid about ongoing negotiations between France and Germany about Morocco. Beginning with background information about the situation, with Germany wishing to call a conference to reform the government of Morocco—in opposition to France—Roosevelt then includes the text of numerous letters and telegrams in English and French from various parties related to this issue. Roosevelt says he will send copies of this letter to Henry White and George von Lengerke Meyer, and will show it to Secretary of State Elihu Root, as well, but no one else, as it is to be strictly confidential. He closes with some personal remarks to Reid, responding to a previous letter from him, and thanking him for presenting Milla Shonts and her daughters. The envelope appended at the end suggests that this is the copy of the letter which was sent to Meyer.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-04-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Senator Lodge has enclosed a letter from George von Lengerke Meyer about a conversation he had with the German Emperor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-02

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Secretary of State Hay encloses an interesting letter from Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-11

Creator(s)

Hay, John, 1838-1905

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Henry Cabot Lodge and his wife, Nannie, in pencil, because he is far out in the African wilderness. Roosevelt discusses Lodge’s response to the tariff question and shares his own thoughts on the constitutional amendment about the income tax. Roosevelt agrees with William Loeb and Lodge on the mayoralty issue. On his trip, Roosevelt has gained a passion for William Shakespeare’s plays, news that will be of interest to Nannie. Roosevelt shares the highlights of his big game hunting in Africa, as well as other books he has been reading.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1909-09-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Using his access to Theodore Roosevelt’s correspondence, Joseph Bucklin Bishop examines the events, decisions, and actions that brought about the Treaty of Portsmouth and ended the Russo-Japanese War on September 5, 1905. Bishop primarily focuses on Roosevelt’s work to bring about peace; work that earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize.

Collection

Newberry Library

Creation Date

1919-09

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928