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President Roosevelt wishes Kermit Roosevelt good luck on his shooting trip. He additionally updates Kermit on Ted Roosevelt’s trip to Minnesota and on the their recent tennis matches, as well as Archie Roosevelt’s interest in sailing. Roosevelt is busy working on his speeches for the Mississippi River trip, but he is still enjoying the holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-31
President Roosevelt is unsure if he will call the convention Representative Burton references. Before doing so, he wants clarification from Burton and Gifford Pinchot about the Mississippi movement. Roosevelt asks Burton to send the advice concerning Roosevelt’s speeches in St. Louis and Memphis on his upcoming Mississippi trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-21
President Roosevelt is deeply touched by Francis J. Heney’s letter. Wall Street believes Roosevelt’s policies have ruined the country, and many individuals have written to Roosevelt on the matter, two of which letters he encloses for Heney. Roosevelt begins his Mississippi River trip on October first and asks Heney if he can join him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
In one photograph, President Roosevelt stands on deck with Governor of the New Mexico Territory George Curry. In another, President Roosevelt waves to the crowds along the shore of the Mississippi River.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
President Roosevelt heads across the “Mississippi River” with two bags in his hand. A “3rd term” hoodoo follows behind, “This little trip won’t injure my health a bit!”
Virtually every cartoonist, every editorial writer, and every citizen at this time was wondering whether President Roosevelt would succumb to the public pressure for him to break his pledge against running to for a third term 1908. But some cartoonists had the originality and verve to put a special spin on the obsession, and offer a fresh view.
President Roosevelt travels in a riverboat that is headed toward tree branches in the river: “beef trust,” “tobacco trust,” “railroad trust,” “Harriman interests,” and “Standard Oil.” A teddy bear keeps him company in the barge.
Cartoonist Clifford Kennedy Berryman used the title of Mark Twain’s famous book of recollections, Life On the Mississippi, for his depiction of President Roosevelt’s progress toward Louisiana, mid-way through an extended speaking tour in the Autumn of 1907.
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his frustration with Ted cutting classes at Harvard and being put on probation. He compares Ted to the title character in William Thackeray’s novel Pendennis. Roosevelt does not think Ted will be able to go on the Mississippi River trip now. Roosevelt closes by saying that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is going to New York with Emily Tyler Carow. Kermit appears to have done some writing and drawing on the envelope.
1908-03-15
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to share a Hindustani proverb given him by a friend which expresses Roosevelt’s views about preparing in advance for war. He describes springtime at the White House and his time with Edith. He adds that he is glad the social season is over. He may have some tussles with Congress, if the Speaker tries to obstruct business, but the Republican Party has a good record of getting work done. Roosevelt says the USS Mayflower has run aground but he will be sure Kermit has a boat for his Mississippi River trip.
1908-03-08
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say the family eagerly awaited letters from him and Archie from school. The Oyster Bay home is being closed up and Anna Roosevelt Cowles visited. Roosevelt said he finished his speeches for his Mississippi River trip and almost finished his message to Congress.
1907-09-20
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to wish him luck on his hunting trip with Marvin Hughitt. He says Ted beat him at tennis before heading off to John Greenway’s in Minnesota to look over the ground. Roosevelt describes Archie’s love of sailing and says he has been working on his speeches for his Mississippi River trip.
1907-08-31
President Roosevelt addresses his audience in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the subject of trusts and corporations, and the factors and difficulties that the government must consider when contemplating regulation of the trusts. He begins by tracing some of the conditions that have led up to the present situation, and compares the trusts to the Mississippi River, which helps many people but can also threaten great destruction. He makes the analogy that while damming the Mississippi would be futile and harmful, building levees can offer protections without obstructing the river. Roosevelt continues by saying that while there should be some regulation, this must be carefully done so as to effect the desired result on the largest trusts and corporations without imposing more difficult penalties on smaller companies and the laborers who work for the companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-20
Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary acknowledges receipt of A. C. Miller’s letter and points out recent statements from Theodore Roosevelt in support of developing the Mississippi River.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-07
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary communicates Roosevelt’s regrets that he will not be able to keep his appointment with H. B. Jayne. He also disputes Jayne’s statement that Roosevelt wants to “destroy the Standard Oil Company” and other trusts without preparing to replace it. Roosevelt’s position is to control “big business,” not to destroy it. The secretary also addresses Jayne’s statement that the Pacific Coast requires definite declarations, by giving specific examples of when Roosevelt did make specific declarations and requesting that Jayne read the Progressive Party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt agrees that the United States government should fund the building of tributaries along the Mississippi to ward against flood waters. Roosevelt resolves that the tributaries should be of the finest engineering, comparable to the engineering used in the building of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt draws a corollary between improving safety along the Mississippi to a political alliance between the Northern and Southern regions of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-16
Theodore Roosevelt feels that the flooding from the Mississippi River must be dealt with by the nation as a whole and by all the states that share its watershed. Roosevelt writes that had recommendations from the Inland Watershed Commission been followed damage would have been averted. If elected president, Roosevelt will commence a comprehensive study of the Mississippi River focused on the River’s economical and ecological usefulness, impacting transportation, housing, food production, and emigration. Roosevelt supports conservation policies and the 14-Foot Waterway Board of Army Engineers plan to construct an efficient, extensive canal and levee system.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-06
Senator Joseph M. Dixon believes the idea for a Mississippi canal system has merit and Theodore Roosevelt will be contacting Lorenzo S. Lake about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-04
President Roosevelt thanks Governor Noel of Mississippi for the invitation to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, but says that she cannot accept, as she is trying to avoid public functions. Her trip to Mississippi is only to take the Roosevelt children on a short holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-23
President Roosevelt writes to Archibald B. Roosevelt to update him on some things going on with their family. Roosevelt praises his son for his monthly report, and warns him against working too hard, as he does not want to get more headaches. Joseph Wilmer is going on the Mississippi River trip. Douglas Robinson and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson are visiting currently, and are having a nice time. Roosevelt believes that public school and the Y.M.C.A. have been good for Quentin Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-16
President Roosevelt thanks Steve E. Greenwell for a wonderful trip on the Mississippi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-04
President Roosevelt tell his son Ted about his recent trip down the Mississippi River, and gives him details about both a bear and a deer he shot. Roosevelt also mentions his reception on the trip down, particularly in Mississippi. Roosevelt is also concerned about his son’s health and wonders if he will be able to play with Harvard’s first string of football.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-22