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There is an effort to recall the vessels loaned to state naval militias. Governor Odell maintains that the ship loaned to New York is highly efficient, paid for by the state, and necessary for the training of the militia. He hopes that President Roosevelt will oppose the recall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-19
President Roosevelt has received Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte’s letter, and asks for him to forward the clippings he mentioned relating to the matter of Naval Assistant Paymaster George M. Lukesh, saying that he “should like to see your blister-raising letter!” Roosevelt believes Admiral George Albert Converse has the typical and foolish dislike of many naval officers towards the naval militia. Roosevelt feels that the naval militia plays a valuable role, and that they should be allowed to participate in the naval review if they are able to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-13
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to Walter Hughson that no portion of the Navy Department’s annual appropriation for furnishing the naval militia can be used until the state authorities recognize and mustered it in. He suggests that Hughson contact the Adjutant General of Michigan E. M. Irish and with Lieutenant-Commander Gilbert Wilkes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-10-11
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Isaac E. Emerson that the Michigan personnel are coming to talk to him about sending the USS Yantic through the canal locks. He assures Emerson that he will not forget the Maryland militia and their work. Roosevelt wishes other states were as good to their naval militia as Maryland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-25
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with Senator Bacon’s suggestion. However, funds are required to furnish the equipment. He wants three small gunboats for the naval militia to drill with. The current budget is divided among more than a dozen states. Roosevelt can discuss the matter with Bacon when he comes to Washington, D. C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-25
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Senator Clay that the issues with the Brunswick Naval Militia are close to being settled amicably.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-17
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Senator Bacon that the issues with the Brunswick Naval Militia are close to being settled amicably.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-17
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt acknowledges a letter from Ernest W. Reeme requesting to found a naval militia in Missouri. Roosevelt had already received a letter about the subject from Captain George R. Collins, but the militia cannot be organized until it is founded by the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-01
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Gardner E. Dickinson that he is concerned about the naval militia in Georgia, particularly in Brunswick. Roosevelt states the Savannah militia received the latest report well, but if the militia in Brunswick refuses to accept criticisms or advice, he will have no choice but to take the monitor away from them. Roosevelt wishes to fix the issues at hand with the Georgia militia, particularly because Georgia is where his mother is from.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-30
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt discusses the prospect of organizing a naval militia in Missouri with George R. Collins. Roosevelt will write to Collins when his aid, John H. Gibbons, returns from a torpedo station.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-26
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt assures Mayor Bancroft that he will help Patrick E. Smith as much as he can. Roosevelt is glad Bancroft likes his opinions on the naval militia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-16
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs W. R. Chappell he agrees that he supports organizing a naval reserve, but he currently does not have the funding from Congress to do so. Roosevelt will continue working with the naval militia while waiting for funding.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-14
Assistant Secretary of the Navy informs Louis F. Middlebrook he will do what he can to help his naval militia, however, the USS Yantic is being sent to the Michigan naval militia. Roosevelt is waiting on a report to know which of the other requests Middlebrook made can be granted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-06-08
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt received Cyrus Edwin Lothrop’s letter from H. C. Taylor. He has been considering the matter and brought it to the attention of Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long. Roosevelt believes he can get the USS Yantic for the Naval Militia of the Lakes if the Department of State agrees it does not violate the treaty. He strongly believes in the naval militia. Roosevelt asked the Office of Naval Intelligence for information on the Canadian fish cruisers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-04
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Captain Richard Rush for his kind words. He has a deep interest in the Navy and hopes to inspect the naval militia soon. Roosevelt will contact Gibbons about Rush’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-23
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte is not in Washington, D.C., at present, as he is obliged to attend several events in Maryland, but informs President Roosevelt that he has sent his request for a report on the condition of food at Navy Yards to the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, and has left instructions for it to be sent to Roosevelt as soon as it is furnished. Bonaparte believes that the contractor may have not been fulfilling the contract as written, and may need to be replaced. There have been some difficulties in securing a ship from the District Naval Militia for the naval review, which Bonaparte has been working on alongside Admiral George Albert Converse. Bonaparte finally informs Roosevelt of his recent communication with a newspaper which had alleged that he and Roosevelt had shown too much leniency towards Naval Paymaster George M. Lukesh. Bonaparte pointed out the actions were taken in accordance with the law, and eventually drove the newspaper to publish an apology.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs H. C. Taylor that he will write to Cyrus Edwin Lothrop. He thinks the USS Yantic can be promised to the Naval Militia of the Lakes if the treaty does not prohibit it. Roosevelt will take the matter to the United States Department of State. He is glad that Taylor shares his views of the naval militia, which should be built up. Roosevelt talked to Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long about having Taylor and William Thomas Sampson test the USS Indiana and Iowa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-04
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt sends J. W. Miller a memorandum from John H. Gibbons explaining why the USS Porter was kept elsewhere. Roosevelt explained to Gibbons the desire to put the Porter at Miller’s disposal. However, the ship needs some experimental work before that can happen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-23
Illinois has great interest in Captain Clark as he was stationed as lighthouse inspector in Chicago, Illinois, and many members of the Illinois naval militia served under Clark on the USS Oregon during the Spanish-American War. Governor Yates recommends that Captain Clark be promoted to rear admiral due to his long service and exciting exploits during the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-25