Navies

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry John Elwes

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt sends Henry John Elwes copies of Science with his article on scientific terminology. He will look for the extra copy of the game report during his next visit to Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt feels he did all he could at the New York Police Department, especially since “the law under which we worked was utterly absurd in character.” He believes strongly in the American and British Navies and is glad to do such “thoroughly congenial” work. On a recent trip to his ranch, Roosevelt shot several antelope with his new Winchester rifle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. T. Mahan

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with Captain Mahan about both Hawaii and foreign policy generally. Roosevelt worries about Japan, and feels that the United States should increase its military presence in the Pacific Ocean. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has spoken with President William McKinley on this topic and “pressed his views upon him with all his strength.” Roosevelt additionally mentions his worries about the international situation in the West Indies. He believes the United States should increase its presence and make sure that no strong European power is allowed to gain a foothold there. The institutional resistance to the build-up of the Navy annoys Roosevelt. He comments to Mahan, however, that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long agrees with the two of them about Hawaii, and that he hopes for positive action on that front.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edgar Stanton Maclay

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt apologizes to Edgar Stanton Maclay for his delay in replying and sincerely thanks Maclay for his kind words. He hopes to be instrumental in implementing any needed reforms in the navy and asks Maclay for the results of his study on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-19

Letter from J. Bernard Walker to Theodore Roosevelt

J. Bernard Walker, editor of Scientific American, sends Theodore Roosevelt an advanced copy of the periodical’s naval edition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-06

Letter from A. T. Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

A. T. Mahan thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter and information therein. He would have liked to discuss the matter in person, but is entirely occupied by reviewing galleys and page proofs. Mahan wonders if Roosevelt ever feels the same way he does, in that the development of the navy and fortification of the Panama Canal seems only to be half completed, “and therefore perhaps worse than not done at all.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-01

Letter from Claude H. Wetmore to Theodore Roosevelt

Claude H. Wetmore explains to Theodore Roosevelt that he is writing a children’s book on the American Navy. However, caring for his family prevents him from working on it and he asks Roosevelt to loan him $300 with the plan to repay the loan in ten dollar weekly installment. Wetmore also assures Roosevelt that a publisher has already given advanced assurance of publication.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-27

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Meyer sends Theodore Roosevelt material for the article on Admiral Charles S. Sperry for The Outlook and an article about naval defense in the Pacific. He comments on how tedious Roosevelt’s Western trip must have been.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-22

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Meyer tells Theodore Roosevelt what he and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge did after Roosevelt left following William H. Taft’s inauguration. Meyer signed papers reversing an order that former Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry had Roosevelt sign. He explains his reasoning; mainly, the Senators from Louisiana were unhappy with it, and Meyer believes he can carry out most of what was in the order without an Executive Order being issued.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-08

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee remarks that President Roosevelt’s speech about the English in India came at a critical time for England’s Indian policy and would like a copy of the speech. There have been “agitators” slandering England’s Indian policy. Lee requests Roosevelt’s opinion on Britain’s Two Power Standard of Naval Strength as it applies to excluding the United States. As a distant observer, Lee has been following Roosevelt’s conflict with Congress and believes that the Times correspondents have done “a world of good” with their “excellent dispatches” keeping Roosevelt’s viewpoint before the public. Lee looks forward to Roosevelt’s visit after his trip to Africa. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-29

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge encloses an article from the Boston Globe which gives an account of a speech he gave advocating for the Navy. He also encloses a second article which he says misrepresents his speech. That article reports that Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf denounced Lodge’s views. Lodge also complains about the speeches that Comptroller of the Currency Lawrence O. Murray has been making, which are spreading unnecessary fear and helping William Jennings Bryan’s argument about national banks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-14

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin reports that the Aoki agreement which Japan wishes to enter into with the United States declares the Pacific Ocean an “international highway” and disavows Japan’s designs on the Philippines. O’Laughlin relays to President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Japanese Premier Tarō Katsura. In the conversation, they reviewed the history of relations between the United States and Japan. Katsura assured O’Laughlin of his respect for Roosevelt and the United States, and the desire that Japan and the United States remain friendly. Despite reports from Europe, Katsura denies that Japan is preparing for war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-20

Memorandum from Robert Bacon

First Assistant Secretary of State Bacon has heard that it would be satisfactory for only half the Atlantic Fleet to visit China. This allows Plan A to be ruled out. An attached note states that this meets Secretary of State Elihu Root’s approval.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-27

Atlantic Fleet Maneuvers

The memorandum outlines three plans for the course the Atlantic Fleet should take on the way to carrying out fall target practice in Manila Bay in November. A handwritten note states that Plan B was approved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-27

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Metcalf writes President Roosevelt about several matters. First, he addresses reports about the water line of the armor belts on existing battleships and responds to suggestions that the belts should be raised. Citing reports by Admiral Robley D. Evans, who is sailing to the Pacific with the Atlantic Fleet, Metcalf does not recommend this. In fact, he believes lowered would be better. Metcalf also informs Roosevelt of plans to modify turret ammunition hoists. Finally, Metcalf says he does not support a plan to appoint a line officer Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-07

Letter from Albert L. Key to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert L. Key sends President Roosevelt a copy of his written statement and printed testimony given before the Senate Committee. He wants Roosevelt to know that he is not an “irresponsible agitator,” that he advocated for moving the naval base from Subic to Manila, and that he is not responsible for the criticism of the Navy and naval vessels in the press. His investigation into the Navy was done independently, and his report and recommendations are based on facts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-22

Letter from Albert L. Key to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert L. Key makes recommendations regarding the administrative structure of the Navy Department. He compares and contrasts the management of the department with the management and authority structure on a naval vessel, and recommends that the Assistant Secretary of the Navy be a line officer who has legal responsibility for supervising and coordinating the subordinate bureaus.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-27

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about the recent turmoil in Great Britain surrounding an exchange of letters between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and Emperor William II of Germany. The Emperor wrote privately to Lord Tweedmouth, and in passing mentioned the British Navy. News of this mention spread to the press, who seized upon news of the letter to blow the incident out of proportion and make it seem as if Germany were trying to influence British naval policy. Reid sends a selection of newspaper clippings following the development of the issue in the press. Additionally, Reid reports that Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s condition is not improving, and it appears that H. H. Asquith will be his successor as Prime Minister.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Memorandum for the Secretary of War

The memorandum to Secretary of War Taft raises the question of how long the battle fleet will stay in the Pacific. The memorandum advocates a permanent naval presence in the region. First, because coastal defenses on the Pacific Coast are not adequate to defend against an attack. Second, because of the location of Hawaii and the Philippines, far from home ports and close to enemy ports. Third, because Hawaii can serve as a strategic naval base and needs battle fleet protection to be effective. Fourth, because the United States lacks adequate land forces to guard the coast. A page of addenda shows Taft acknowledging the memo and wishing to confer with President Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s subsequent assessment that he will consider the Joint Army and Navy Board’s opinion on the matter, but does not wish to divide the battle fleet between two oceans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-07

Letter from Charlemagne Tower to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Tower relays to President Roosevelt a private conversation he had with Emperor William II of Germany, who had recently heard reports of Japanese soldiers training and gathering in Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The Emperor believes that the Japanese are preparing to seize the Panama Canal if war is declared. Additionally, reports from Portugal suggest that the Japanese are preparing for war against the United States. He approves of Roosevelt’s decision to send the war fleet out because it has strengthened the position of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry transmits a letter from the President of the General Board and a comparison of the strength of the United States and Japanese navies to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-30