Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet, as he does not know the banquet’s stance regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-02
Frederic J. Paxon asks Theodore Roosevelt for his views on John E. White’s statements regarding arbitration and the interpretation of Roosevelt’s position on international treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-14
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Samuel V. Leech that he is interested in what Leech wrote about the Monroe Doctrine and the situation on the Pacific Coast regarding immigration by Japanese and Chinese. Two copies, each slightly different.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-10
In a reply to Arthur Hamilton Lee, Theodore Roosevelt describes the activities and achievements of the Roosevelt family, including the impending birth of his grandchild to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Eleanor Butler Roosevelt. Roosevelt expresses relief at the end of his public speaking career and is more preoccupied by his interest in natural history than in politics, including his upcoming article, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.” Roosevelt then goes on to discuss politics, including his approval of the current British king, expresses frustration with the American people, and discusses President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with James H. Pound that political and legal arguments should be kept to one or two key issues. As federalists, Roosevelt and Pound believe in “national efficiency” unlike Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt believes in the extension of the Monroe Doctrine and agrees with what Pound said about the Money Bill, even though he is not well versed on the topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-16
Theodore Roosevelt replies to Herbert Drake’s letter to say that he has read Coit’s book. If Drake would like to know what Roosevelt thinks about the Monroe Doctrine, Drake should go to the public library and read his presidential speeches on the topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-25
Theodore Roosevelt heartily approves of Santiago Pérez Triana’s statements on the Monroe Doctrine but cannot say so publicly, even though Roosevelt has said similar things in the past.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-21
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Hugh F. Denworth for his letter and advises him to check the library for books regarding the Monroe Doctrine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt believes that Kuno Meyer’s language may be a “malicious distortion” of the truth and Roosevelt wrote him to correct him. Roosevelt believes that if Germany defeats Great Britain, they will come for the United States next.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt met with William Cary Sanger on Sunday, and Sanger was interested in Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt’s proposals. He suggests that Sanger is the person that Archie should work with. Roosevelt read an article by Sanger’s son and agrees with much of it. However, he disagrees with guaranteeing the independence of the Philippines and that Central and South American countries should become guarantors of the Monroe Doctrine. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt attempted to develop a path through Smith’s Field. He warns Archie against damaging his prospects by appearing uncouth and wearing soiled clothing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Charles J. Bonaparte for the articles he has written on the Monroe Doctrine and the European war. However, Roosevelt believes that the United States should “act under the Hague Treaties in connection with Belgium.” The treaties were signed and must be acted upon. The Progressive Party was too advanced for the average man and attracted too many cranks. America’s two party system has become too entrenched to overcome. In 1912 the economy was the major issue; a workingman “was not interested in social and industrial justice.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
President Roosevelt offers his condolences to Olive Grace Kerr for the death of her husband, Henry Scanlan Kerr. However, Roosevelt feels he must object to Olive Kerr publishing the article she encloses, since he feels that Henry Kerr would not have recalled Roosevelt’s statements accurately or may have misunderstood what he meant. Roosevelt also feels that it would be inappropriate to publicly recount details Henry Kerr might have overheard at a private luncheon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-24
President Roosevelt believes Arthur Hamilton Lee handled the “Swettenham matter” efficiently, calling the matter itself a “cosmic incident” and citing others like Swettenham in American Government, most notably General James Harrison Wilson. He was amused by the opinions of John William Burgess, who was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt professorship in at the University of Berlin. While Roosevelt admires some of Burgess’s scholarly accomplishments, he considers Burgess “hopefully wrong-headed” and criticizes his first lecture denouncing the Monroe Doctrine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-08
President Roosevelt argues for the construction of two first-class battleships, describing the ways in which they are economically and tactically superior to other types of Navy vessels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-11
President Roosevelt argues for the construction of two first-class battleships, describing the ways in which they are economically and tactically superior to other types of Navy vessels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-11
President Roosevelt thanks John William Burgess for the letters and copy of a speech he sent while Roosevelt was in Panama. Roosevelt tells Burgess that his letter said the Monroe Doctrine was not being abandoned by the United States when the opposite was conveyed in the speech’s summary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt requests Secretary of State Root speak at a reception in his honor immediately after he returns. A “rousing speech” would help the Republican party and the administration, especially with the current struggle for control of Congress and the New York governorship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt asks that Cecil Spring Rice give his regards to Lord Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice Lansdowne. Roosevelt writes at length about the current state of international affairs and of relationships between different nations. He feels that it is not in Japan’s interest to extend the Russo-Japanese War for another year and explains his actions in pressing for peace negotiations between the two powers. Roosevelt also discusses his efforts urging the United States to interpret the Monroe Doctrine in an active way and remarks upon the recent death of Secretary of State John Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-24
President Roosevelt is concerned about what he is reading in the papers about cutting funding for the United States Navy, which he believes is a bad idea. Roosevelt does not believe he is an “alarmist, or an imperialist, or an amateur war lord” when he tells Speaker of the House Cannon he believes cutting funding for the Navy would be worse than any other cut in funding the government could make. Roosevelt wants to build up the Navy, not for the sake of building it up, but for the sake of letting other nations know the United States is able to back up its policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-27