Your TR Source
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from January 1892 to December 1898. Notable events include the death of Elliott Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt is appointed New York City Police Commissioner, his tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Spanish-American War, and Roosevelt’s gubernatorial campaign.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
President Roosevelt confides to George Otto Trevelyan that he believes his administration has compiled a good record of legislation in his five years as president. Roosevelt contends that he must continually navigate between those who believe he is a radical and has not done enough and reactionaries who believe he has stretched the powers of government too far. Roosevelt also writes that he would like to see measures enacted to support arbitration of international disputes and limit naval forces, but not if it means abandoning “free peoples” and weakening the British and American navies.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1906-08-18
Edmund Morris asserts that Theodore Roosevelt was on a mission to strengthen the United States Navy from his time as Assistant Secretary of the Navy through his presidency. Morris highlights the sailing of the Great White Fleet and notes that the commissioning of USS Theodore Roosevelt fulfills Roosevelt’s wish to maintain peace through strength.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1986
Two quotations from Theodore Roosevelt about military preparedness.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1908, 1915
Carter H. Fitz-Hugh asks if Theodore Roosevelt has seen the article “War” in the London Spectator, which confuses him. He mentions A. T. Mahan’s article, making a similar point. Fitz-Hugh wonders if Roosevelt saw the correspondence between Andrew Carnegie and J. M. Dickinson regarding the recommendation to fortify and police the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
The Republican Club in Portland, Oregon, held a banquet in honor of Abraham Lincoln at the Commercial Club. At the club, various speeches were given. Dr. Andrew C. Smith warned about the lack of military protection on the West Coast and the danger of invasion from Japan. Judge William W. Cotton spoke in favor of President William H. Taft and criticized Theodore Roosevelt. He believes that current leaders are ignoring the tenets of the Constitution in a way that is just as bad as the South’s secession before the Civil War. Other speeches about Lincoln were also given.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-12
The article contains text from a speech in which Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts argues in favor of the Republicans, whose policies he says will maintain the United States Navy’s status as the second-best navy in the world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf does not endorse Senator Lodge’s recent statements regarding Democrat William Jennings Bryan’s platform on the navy. The article states that in particular, Metcalf took issue with Lodge’s declaration that were it not for the navy, Japan “would insult” the United States. A handwritten note in the margins from Lodge states that, “I did not say that or anything resembling it.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
In a memorandum, Commander Sims addresses the need to appoint a new Engineer-in-Chief for the Navy. The Board on Construction’s sudden decision in 1904 to design smaller battleships was due to Senator Eugene Hale’s influence with the Engineer-in-Chief and the Board. Hale has a history of influencing the Navy, and Sims recommends appointing a new Engineer-in-Chief who is not controlled by Hale.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-01
A report for Secretary of War Taft outlines the amount of additional money that should be added to appropriations in the fortification bill. The money will account for various fortifications, ordnance, and ammunition to defend locations along the Pacific Coast, as well as in the Philippine and Hawaiian Islands.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Admiral Dewey writes to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf on behalf of the Joint Board in response to President Roosevelt’s direction that they present a plan regarding fortification in Hawaii. The Joint Board believes that both the Army and Navy have appropriately considered the factors involved with constructing and fortifying a naval station in Hawaii, and have come to the conclusion that the selection of Pearl Harbor as the site of construction is justified. Dewey recounts the factors that were considered both in affirming the need for a naval base in the Pacific Ocean, as well as in the selection of Pearl Harbor as the site. Dewey believes that Honolulu Harbor should be protected as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05
A quoted passage from Charles Dickens’s “Proposals for Amusing Posterity” muses about the possibility of combative people forming a “Society for Declaiming about Peace,” where by highlighting the horrors of war they convince their own nation to arm themselves in order to prevent being attacked. Dickens says that this would be “the very best joke we could hope to have in our whole Complete Jest-Book for Posterity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-02
President Roosevelt writes to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that in view of the report of the Joint Board made by Admiral George Dewey, it may be necessary to maintain a fleet in the Pacific Ocean longer than originally planned. Roosevelt asks Metcalf to provide a report on how long the fleet can be maintained at high efficiency. Roosevelt also asks if it is possible for the fleet to visit Australia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
In an article for the National Review, A. Maurice Low analyzes the possibility that Germany would come to the protection of the Atlantic Coast while the Great White Fleet travels to the Pacific and highlights the recent developments in the relationship between Germany and the United States. He argues that Roosevelt should seek another term of office, and that William Jennings Bryan has nothing to offer the American people, while deriding the failure of the Democratic Party at large. Finally, quoting financial representatives from several banking houses, Low explains that the fall of securities prices is a natural course correction. As an example of the bright future of American growth, he describes the construction of Gary, Indiana, a city built for the manufacturing of steel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10
Henry G. Sharpe explains the reasoning behind his earlier recommendations for modifying the Army’s supply and provision standards. Following his suggestions would help the United States prepare for war during a time of peace. Reorganizing the administration would assign clear responsibility for the work of various supply units onto one chief of the bureau, and his suggested changes for the field would help ensure the mobility and comfort of the troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
The Daily Telegraph reports on a speech by President Roosevelt in which he insisted on the peaceful nature of the Great White Fleet’s movement and reiterated his plans to regulate trusts via existing laws rather than attempting new legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-03
The London Morning Post explains the current state of American presidential politics to its English audience, summarizing the nomination process, the controversy surrounding a possible third nomination for President Roosevelt, and the strengths and weaknesses of potential candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties. The writer also speculates on the possible political and military motivations behind the movement of the Great White Fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-01
President Roosevelt tells Army Chief of Staff Bell about Leonard Wood’s update about the recent field training. Roosevelt requests that Bell create a report of the commands which have had trouble with the practice marches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
Major General Wood reports on the condition of the United States Army in the Philippines for the year ending June 30, 1907, and makes recommendations for its improvement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-30
These general orders describe the required equipment and supplies for the Philippine Scouts to maintain military readiness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-05