Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

President Roosevelt finished George Otto Trevelyan’s recent volume on the American Revolution, and sincerely praises it as “one of the few histories which can deservedly be called great.” Although biased, Roosevelt places the American Revolution among the great historical events. Trevelyan treats it well, and Roosevelt compares him to other authors of military history. He especially appreciates the justice Trevelyan gives Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey, as he believes in giving men credit regardless of their allegiance. Roosevelt rejoices in interesting books like Trevelyan’s, particularly when he has much to worry about. He will send a volume of his speeches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert J. Beveridge

President Roosevelt found Senator Beveridge’s sketch of Napoleon in relation to his current battles with Congress interesting, although he does not believe in “the very un-Napoleonic idea” of going out of business following a defeat. Roosevelt cannot make Secretary of War William H. Taft believe that a measure “he has most at heart” is beaten. He has dropped everything about the Philippine bill until after the statehood and railroad rate bills are finished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Ayrault Dodge

President Roosevelt asks Theodore Ayrault Dodge if the enclosed is all right. He looks forward to receiving the next two volumes of Dodge’s books about Napoleon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt that he feels bad about a patronizing remark he made about the poet Madison Julius Cawein, who just had lunch with him. He also discusses Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poems. Roosevelt had Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg and his nephew Prince Alexander to dinner, where he sat Louis next to Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte. This amused Roosevelt, as Bonaparte is a grand-nephew of Napoleon I, and Battenberg is a grandson of a Hessian general who served under, and then deserted, Napoleon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Alden Smith

President Roosevelt thanks Representative Smith for sending him the book. He especially appreciates the inscription.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Ayrault Dodge

President Roosevelt sends Theodore Ayrault Dodge the requested letter of introduction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Ford Rhodes

President Roosevelt tells James Ford Rhodes he has just finished reading his fifth volume, which has tied in well with Roosevelt’s other readings of Thomas Babington Macaulay’s History and Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches. Although the president agrees with Rhodes that the right is not all on one side and the wrong is not all on the other in quarrels, Roosevelt thinks the American Civil War is the exception, as he believes “the right was exclusively with the Union people.” Roosevelt talks about his plans to build up the Navy to avoid war, believing the Panama Canal will help. Finally, he discusses problems he has been having with the tariff and Southern states. He disagrees with Rhodes that the South is not trying to reinstate slavery, as there is peonage in three states right now. Roosevelt closes by mentioning how his opponents helped him during the election campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Ayrault Dodge

President Roosevelt looks forward to reading Theodore Ayrault Dodge’s latest book about Napoleon I. He would like to discuss the Russo-Japanese War with Dodge.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-13

Onward; Christian Soldier!

An article by John G. Geiwitz about the need for Christian soldiers in the U.S., in battle but also in general character.

Comments and Context

John G. Geiwitz enclosed the article to Theodore Roosevelt, hoping for publication in The Outlook and/or feedback.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Letter from Lewis C. Breed to Theodore Roosevelt

Lewis C. Breed compiled a book of Emperor Napoleon’s opinions and reflections on important topics and asks Theodore Roosevelt to comment on it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-23

Letter from John Christman to Theodore Roosevelt

John Christman shares the prophecy of the International Battle of Flowers with Theodore Roosevelt, which was revealed to him by spirit voices.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-10

Letter from William J. Youngs to Theodore Roosevelt

William J. Youngs expresses his and his coworkers’ gratitude for Theodore Roosevelt’s visit with them this morning. He has enclosed a summary of the naturalization business from the Naturalization Bureau in case Roosevelt is interested. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-19

Letter from William G. Taylor to Theodore Roosevelt

William G. Taylor posits the theory that France’s low birthrate is due to the Napoleonic Wars’ effect on the population.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-12

Letter from Irving Price Wanger to William H. Sayen and A. Harry Bowen

Irving Price Wanger wants to review the site approved by the Valley Forge Park Commission for the memorial arch on April 12. He argues the ideal location and design for the arch using historical details, local resources, and strategic planning for park visitors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-08

Letter from Minnie L. Kohlsdorf to Theodore Roosevelt

Minnie L. Kohlsdorf thanks Theodore Roosevelt for autographing the photograph of himself that she won at a fair given by the Republican Club. Kohlsdorf believes that Roosevelt is “the greatest diplomat the world has known” and wishes him well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-07

Personal recollections about Theodore Roosevelt

John Vanderbilt, who attended Columbia Law School at the same time as Theodore Roosevelt, recalls a time when Roosevelt balanced on a narrow mantel and read a law book with incredible concentration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910

Letter from J. J. Jusserand to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Jusserand sends Theodore Roosevelt Christmas wishes and hopes for his continued safety. He informs Roosevelt of his election to the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences on his own merits, with no opposing votes. Jusserand shares an incident of a mother cat saving her kitten from a caged tiger. Roosevelt’s letter was delightful and complemented his articles in Scribner’s Magazine, which everyone follows with interest. He does not have much to comment on regarding internal politics other than that he deplores the quarrel between Gifford Pinchot and Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger. Jusserand updates Roosevelt on several of their friends. Ambassador to France Robert Bacon was recently injured in a fall from his horse before leaving for his assignment. A letter “full of pleasant chattering” from Justice Alford Cooley hints at a possible improvement in health. Secretary of the Navy George von Lengerke Meyer and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop are trying to capture Jose Santos Zelaya in Nicaragua. While Henry Cabot Lodge and Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge are in good physical health, they still mourn for their son George “Bay” Cabot Lodge, especially on Christmas. Jusserand includes a newspaper clipping on Roosevelt’s election to the Academy and part of a political cartoon featuring Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-12-25

Letter from Micah John Jenkins to Theodore Roosevelt

Former Rough Rider Micah John Jenkins informs President Roosevelt that he has won his battle against alcohol, and has no desire to drink anymore. To mark the occasion, he sends Roosevelt a gallon of rye whiskey. He thanks Roosevelt for his example, which inspired him to stop drinking. Jenkins also sends a photograph from his young daughter, Ruth Darling Jenkins. He discusses the decorations for the room shown in the photograph, which includes engravings of Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and Napoleon I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-16

Letter from Henry White to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador White warns Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about the Russian Countess Lydia Rostopchine, whose grandfather was governor-general of Moscow during the invasion of Napoleon. Rostopchine intends to give lectures in the United States about her grandfather with the aim of raising money for her niece’s marriage, and she made several inappropriate requests of White. She asked White to appeal to President Roosevelt on her behalf so that she could give a lecture at the White House. White tells Edith not to allow her husband to extend such an invitation. He also informs her that he hopes to be back in the United States just in time to vote for William H. Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-07

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that his friend Edward Ashley Walrond Clarke, British Consul General to Zanzibar, has promised to look after President Roosevelt. He discusses the Turkish reform movement, its influences, and global impact. The British have appealed to William II, Emperor of Germany, to stop arming.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-06