Your TR Source
William Jay Schieffelin writes President Roosevelt about Willis R. Hotchkiss, a missionary in Africa, whose “adventures with lions and warring natives are thrilling to hear.” Schieffelin also suggests that Roosevelt meet with an American Quaker missionary in British East Africa who is now teaching farming.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-09
President Roosevelt is interested in the book on the Congo Free State that Harry Johnston has sent, and shares his thoughts about missionaries and their work with “savages.” Roosevelt’s upcoming safari is in support of the National Museum of Natural History, and as such he will do all he can to prevent the needless slaughter of animals on the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
President Roosevelt thanks Bishop Harris for the editorial and his thoughts about the sentiment in Japan. He is disappointed that the Japanese press is “about on par with our own yellow press.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-26
Everything possible must be done for Ellen Maria Stone, an American missionary who was kidnapped on the Turkey-Bulgaria border. However, President Roosevelt wishes to stress that the government has no power to pay ransoms as every missionary or traveler to “wild lands” should be aware. It is his personal opinion that women have “no earthly business” going as missionaries to such places.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-02
H. C. G. Moule writes Annie Augusta King about a letter he received from Hester J. B. Hart, whose husband Robert Hart recently died. He discusses the current upheaval in China and wishes Cole well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
Ambassador Griscom informs President Roosevelt that he can soon expect to receive a one-of-a-kind sword from the people of Sendai, Japan. Griscom mentions that Reverend D. B. Schneder is on his way to America with the sword. Griscom encourages Roosevelt to send a letter to the Sendai mayor in return for the gift.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
President Roosevelt tours Asia with tracts in his hand and his bag labeled, “T. Roosevelt U. S. A.” and a “big stick” under his arm. He is followed by men holding hymnals as foreigners run away. Minarets and Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. Caption: “Is this to be President Roosevelt’s future? To tour the Orient with the big stick and blaze the way for American missionaries.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom writes to William Loeb regarding the destruction of Christian churches during a riot in Tokyo, Japan. Military authorities intend to offer protection.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-08
A native king, sitting on a throne, speaks with his advisers about the presence of a missionary on the coast. Caption: “Your Majesty,” said the right-hand man of the native king, “there is a missionary working his way along the coast.” “Well, we don’t want to have any trouble,” said the king. “Ask him if his people won’t be satisfied with a coaling station.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1901-01-23
A Chinese woman with two children talks to an American missionary on a street with a market in the background. Caption: “But why is it,” asked the thoughtful Chinese, “that I may go to your heaven, while I may not go to your country?” The American missionary shrugged his shoulders. “There is no Labor vote in heaven!” said he.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-12-19
A monkey wearing a plumed hat labeled “European Powers” and a cat wearing clerical robes labeled “Missionary” sit in front of a fireplace. The cat is reaching a paw toward the flames and a chestnut labeled “China.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-07-04
Cartoon showing missionaries from various religions including Baptist, Unitarian, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian clergy, making appeals to a generic native, evidently happier for the gifts in front of him than the entreaties.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-05-23
Uncle Sam stands at center, gesturing to the left toward American soldiers boarding ships to return to America after defeating the Spanish in the Philippines, and gesturing to the right toward a group of matronly women, one labeled “Daughters of the Revolution,” who have just arrived to educate the peoples of the Philippines. Caption: Uncle Sam–You have seen what my sons can do in war – now see what my daughters can do in peace.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-01-31
Theodore Roosevelt passes on a letter, received by Lyman Abbott, regarding a man needing literature for missionary work. Roosevelt believes Oscar K. Davis can deal with the issue even though Roosevelt is not sure under whose department such a request falls.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-03
Frank Harper writes to M. Mundell about statements Theodore Roosevelt has made concerning Russia’s exclusion of missionaries, ministers, and American Jews from traveling within its borders, which is against the terms of the Treaty of 1832. Roosevelt opposes Russia’s discrimination against American Jews.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned by the news Robert S. McClenahan shared with him. He hopes that all friends in connection with the American Mission at Assiut, Egypt, are well. (Roosevelt had spent time with McClenahan in Egypt the year prior.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-09
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary informs Victor V. Belles that there is fishing in Africa, but he focused primarily on the big game. Roosevelt’s book African Game Trails contains an account of missionaries in Uganda.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
Theodore Roosevelt is not able to give the lecture. He did it once, because he cared about the unemployed in New York City.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-05
Theodore Roosevelt tells Robert S. McClenahan that he is welcome to show the letter Roosevelt wrote to anyone he wants. Roosevelt greatly admires the mission work McClenahan is doing in Egypt and regards it as “one of the greatest assets of civilization.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-24
President Roosevelt expresses that while he will try to visit missions in Nairobi, his busy schedule may make this impossible, and the missions should not prepare for a “set” visit. Roosevelt tells Father McDermott that he is interested in hearing how various colonizing nations in Africa aid or impede the efforts of the missionaries there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-27