Newfoundland and Labrador

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge discusses a number of topics regarding the late Secretary of State John Hay. Lodge bemoans the editing of a publication of Hay’s letters, claiming that Hay was “one of the best if not the best letter writer of his time,” but the publication does not do him justice. He reminisces on the many men of letters he has known in his life, and believes that Hay was the most “brilliant, humorous, sympathetic, [and] witty” among them. Lodge holds more criticism for Hay in his role as a secretary of state, discussing how Hay bungled multiple treaties, took credit for accomplishments that were not his own, and formed poor relations with the Senate. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-14

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to President-elect William H. Taft in which he explains why he believes he should maintain his post longer than currently planned. The King of England appreciated President Roosevelt’s speech on British rule in India and mentioned as well that he hoped Reid would remain Ambassador. Reid updates Roosevelt on diplomatic work he has been doing concerning the Panama Canal and Newfoundland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-22

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg sends President Roosevelt a letter he had received from big game hunter St. George Littledale about his most recent hunting trip in Newfoundland. Littledale is particularly humble, so Sternburg takes his account of killing a “very fine stag” seriously.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-29

Letter from George Shiras to Theodore Roosevelt

George Shiras, nature photographer and former Representative, recently returned from Newfoundland having completed his series of caribou photographs. He earnestly suggests President Roosevelt repeat to Congress the notion declared in his Provincetown speech that regarding the nation’s public health, “the National Government stand abreast of the foremost state governments.” Following up on his work while in Congress, Shiras discusses plans for creating a Department of Public Health and Sanitary Science. He foresees its future importance and writes that Roosevelt’s administration will be credited with laying its foundation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

Letter from St. George Littledale to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

St. George Littledale tells Ambassador Sternburg about a recent hunting trip in Newfoundland in which he killed a “very fine stag” and came across a specimen to send to the Natural History Museum of London (referred to as the “British Museum”).

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-16

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to the United Kingdom Whitelaw Reid tells President Roosevelt that after the truce with A. Maurice Low of the London Morning Post, the enclosed article is indicative of a generally friendly attitude. Also enclosed are a positive article from the Daily Telegraph and some articles from the London Times reflecting on Roosevelt’s St. Louis speech. Reid hopes Roosevelt is having a good bear hunting trip in Louisiana.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-04

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid sends President Roosevelt a “clever” cartoon from the British newspaper the Pall Mall Gazette. He also provides updates on the arbitration agreement regarding American fishing in Newfoundland waters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-09

Telegram from Alvey A. Adee to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Adee forwards a telegram from Ambassador Whitelaw Reid regarding the modus vivendi for Newfoundland fisheries. He requests a copy be given to Secretary of State Elihu Root if present.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid quickly replies to President Roosevelt before going grouse-shooting in Scotland. Reid closed the modus vivendi regarding Newfoundland fisheries, but is waiting to formally execute it based on Premier of Newfoundland Robert Bond’s response. Regarding Joseph Hodges Choate and the immunity of private property at sea, Reid sees no reason for follow-up as Choate was likely misled by poor information. He briefly mentions France’s “hornet’s nest” in Morocco.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-11

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid sends an addition to “the bundle of gossip” he recently sent to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, noting that this dispatch is a bit more serious and more likely to interest President Roosevelt with his description of a number of political events, in addition to more social fare.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-01

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid relays items of personal interest to President Roosevelt from London. He encloses a letter from Edward Grey regarding the dispute between the United States and Great Britain over fisheries in Newfoundland; Reid promoted the use of arbitration at The Hague Tribunal to resolve the issue as instructed. The British press has been reporting that the British, not the Americans, are responsible for this plan. Reid encloses a newspaper article about George Brinton McClellan Harvey’s recent criticism of Roosevelt in Europe, and an interview of Andrew Carnegie in which he defends Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-17

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the activities of the American Embassy in London. Reid has attended and given some short speeches at the dedication of memorials related to Harvard or Yale alumni, noting that relationships forged though the universities strengthens ties between Great Britain and the United States. Reid has made a proposal for the arbitration between the United States and Great Britain regarding fisheries off of Newfoundland. Arthur F. Winnington Ingram, the Bishop of London, is looking forward to visiting the United States and will be present when Roosevelt dedicates a lecturn to Bruton Parish Church. King Edward VII and Parliament are still at work until August, but the current Parliament has not yet achieved much in the way of legislation. Reid describes the King and British people’s reactions to the International Peace Conference at The Hague, and the prevailing attitude about the immunity of private property at sea. Finally, Reid describes some press coverage at the recent 4th of July events at the Embassy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alvey A. Adee of the Department of State writes to President Roosevelt confirming the telegram he sent before regarding Newfoundland fisheries. Adee encloses a copy of Edward Grey’s proposal for a modus vivendi, as well as a dispatch from Whitelaw Reid, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, about the legalities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-08

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Edward Grey

Ambassador Reid tells Earl Grey that the United States cannot accept the terms proposed to settle the Newfoundland fisheries dispute. He therefore requests that the matter be sent for arbitration before the Hague Tribunal. Until the matter is settled there, he hopes the modus vivendi previously negotiated may remain in place, by which American fishermen will refrain from using purse-seines but will continue hiring local Newfoundland fishermen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-12

Letter from Edward Grey to Whitelaw Reid

British Foreign Secretary Grey outlines the position of the British government with regards to the rights of American fishing in the waters of Newfoundland pursuant to the Convention of 1818. Due to the difference in interpretation of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain, a temporary agreement has been put in place to assure a peaceful fishing season. Grey summarizes the main points of disagreement and makes several proposals for regulation going forward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-20

Telegram from Whitelaw Reid to Elihu Root

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Whitelaw Reid states points of disagreement between the governments of the United Kingdom and of the United States on the fishing rights of Americans in Newfoundland waters, and conveys a possible temporary agreement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-22

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to Great Britain Reid has received photographs of President Roosevelt show jumping a horse, and will present them to King Edward VII when there are fewer dignitaries in town. Reid is amused by Roosevelt’s remark that he was not sure if his “encounter” with labor leaders and socialists was covered in the English papers – Reid describes the coverage as mostly in Roosevelt’s favor, adding his thoughts on the danger of anarchist ideas infiltrating labor movements in the United States and abroad. Reid discusses the similarity between the conflict between California and Japan and Newfoundland and the United States. Finally, Reid comments on the ongoing talks at the International Peace Conference at the Hague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-07

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid provides President Roosevelt with a variety of pieces of information regarding the status of English politics. Douglas Robinson and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson met with many different members of the royal family. Reid recounts a scandal regarding Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman, who nine months after his wife died, was engaged to her caretaker. Regardless, Campbell-Bannerman has surprised most in Parliament at his effectiveness as a leader. Reid is disappointed that Robert Bond and the Liberal Party agreed to govern the colony of Newfoundland. The U. S. government is not pleased with this agreement, and many of the other premiers disagree with the Liberal Party’s policy. In particular, Alfred Deakin, the premier of Australia, is an outspoken opponent to this policy. Additionally, many of the colonies want preference in the British markets, and may sacrifice free trade agreements to achieve this status. Next, H. H. Asquith proposed an income tax for Great Britain that will introduce a new, objectionable system of old age pensions. R. B. Haldane proposed a permanent standing army in the British colonies. Augustine Burrill’s proposed Irish Council Bill is becoming unpopular and he does not have many successes as a politician. Overall, the Liberal Party is disappointed by Campbell-Bannerman’s performance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-24

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid comments on Winston Churchill’s recent promotion to the Privy Council, noting that it acknowledges his rise in the party without giving him a seat in the Cabinet. Churchill is still not well liked. Reid relays the debates on Horace Curzon Plunkett in the House of Commons and reports on English newspaper coverage of Roosevelt’s speech at Jamestown. He comments on unease over labor relations in France, the planning of an event after the Colonial Premiers’ Conference, opposition to a proposed move for a limitation of armaments at the Hague Conference, and Lewis Harcourt’s proposed English Land Bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01