Nature conservation

Challenging the Antiquities Act

Scott Miller describes the history and significance of the Supreme Court’s decision in Cameron v. United States that the president has the authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to protect federal lands through the creation of national monuments. The titular Ralph H. Cameron was a prospector and promoter who objected to limits being imposed on his business interests by President Theodore Roosevelt’s action declaring the Grand Canyon–as well as other sites–National Monuments. The Supreme Court dismissed his objections, establishing the act as a cornerstone of conservation efforts and allowing future presidents to also protect lands from commercial use.

Collection

Grand Canyon National Park

Creation Date

Unknown

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Muir

President Roosevelt writes John Muir about the city of San Francisco trying to gain water rights to the Hetch Hetchy valley. Roosevelt will do what he can to protect the great “natural beauties of this country.” However, the citizens of the area are not standing against the Hetch Hetchy project. Roosevelt worries that he will be seen as interfering in the development of California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-16

Letter from Edward L. Morris to George B. Cortelyou

Edward L. Morris has been discussing with George B. Cortelyou the possibility of President Roosevelt visiting the Biologists’ Field Club’s preserve, Plummer’s Island. Morris sends two copies of the Field Club’s book, one for Roosevelt and the second for Cortelyou. Morris hopes Cortelyou might present the book to Roosevelt when he discusses the proposed visit to the preserve.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

New York Forest, Fish and Game Interests

William Austin Wadsworth provides his opinion on why the New York Forest, Fish and Game Commission is ineffective as currently constituted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

Letter from Chester L. Brooks to Wallis Huidekoper

Historian Chester L. Brooks thanks Wallis Huidekoper for his thoughts on Theodore Roosevelt’s recruitment efforts in North Dakota. He would like to discuss Roosevelt’s conservation policies with Huidekoper.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1953-12-02

Buffalo Bill and timber news release

Buffalo Bill warns that the continued destruction of timber and underbrush in the Bighorn Basin will threaten the region’s ability to acquire water for irrigation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip P. Wells

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Philip P. Wells for his letter and contends that he will make an effort to maintain a position on conservation similar to his former presidential policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Edgar Borah

Theodore Roosevelt believes that the platform should state that conservation means the development of natural resources. For example, he thinks that the government should build an Alaskan railroad.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to T. W. Symons

President Roosevelt writes to the Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, Thomas Symons, that he wants a memorandum circulated saying that the Andrew Jackson elm is not to be touched concerning the installation of the Pulaski statue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-14

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to William Loeb

Gifford Pinchot is looking forward to seeing William Loeb and going over “the whole forest situation” with Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

Telegram from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot suggests that Theodore Roosevelt contact President White of the National Conservation Congress to express his interest in speaking during the event. He also suggests topics for the speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-02

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot previously sent Theodore Roosevelt the wrong article on conservation and the cost of living, and he encloses a better copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-17

Telegram from Gifford Pinchot to Frank Harper

The wrong article was sent to Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot requests its return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-16

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot encloses an article he wrote for the Progressive campaign book regarding the relationship between conservation and the cost of living. Pinchot would like a copy of Roosevelt’s letter to Mr. Plunkett on the “Wilson question” for private circulation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-15

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot encourages Theodore Roosevelt to mention conservation in his upcoming statement. He would also like to see the encouragement of exporting manufactured goods instead of natural resources.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-13

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot regrets that he was unable to review Sir Horace Curzon Plunkett’s draft on conservation and country life. He encloses a letter he wrote to Senator La Follette when he decided to support Theodore Roosevelt’s candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-24

Letter from George W. Perkins to Theodore Roosevelt

George W. Perkins confirms that he first became closely acquainted with Theodore Roosevelt when Roosevelt appointed him to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. He recalls his reluctance to join the commission and Roosevelt’s eloquence while stating the importance of the project.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-31

Letter from James H. McGillivray to Gifford Pinchot

James H. McGillivray encloses a terse letter he sent to Filibert Roth in response to “political jabs” from Roth. He defends his actions and believes that he deserves support for his conservation efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-06

Letter from George S. Powell to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of the Western North Carolina Fair Association, George S. Powell invites Theodore Roosevelt to their event in Ashville, citing that he would be a strong representative for issues related to conservation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-05

Letter from F. H. Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

F. H. Cowles asks Theodore Roosevelt if he would like to see correspondence between Cowles and Governor Dix. This correspondence has led Cowles to believe favoritism is abundant through attempts to get Brooklyn Cooperage Company to utilize oil as fuel throughout the Adirondacks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-17