Newspapers

Letter from William Sturgis Bigelow to Theodore Roosevelt

William Sturgis Bigelow tells President Roosevelt about the visit he had from the Lodge family, who have now departed. Anna Cabot Mills Lodge enjoyed the peace and quiet, but spent some time visiting George A. James, Henry Cabot Lodge’s recently widowed brother-in-law. Senator Lodge appeared invigorated by his success at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, and greatly enjoyed seeing all the newspaper reports praising him. Bigelow wishes that Lodge could continue to be somewhat more relaxed while he is in Europe, but thinks that Lodge is too much like Roosevelt in needing, and loving, to work. Bigelow describes some of the features of the island he is at, particularly the birds and june-bugs. He has heard that Roosevelt is enjoying Irish literature currently, and offers to send him a related encyclopedia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-12

Letter from Charles William Eliot to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles William Eliot, president of Harvard College, replies to President Roosevelt regarding several matters. The telegrams that Roosevelt sent him are correct, and Eliot regrets their publication, as it is the policy of Harvard College not to say anything about students being punished. Eliot discusses the punishment of Charles C. Morgan and Sidney W. Fish, as well as the events that brought about the necessity of punishing them. While Roosevelt thinks that their punishment–suspension from the Harvard crew team–was unjust, Eliot thinks it was deserved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-14

Letter from William Allen White to Theodore Roosevelt

William Allen White reports to President Roosevelt on his experience at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. White regretted to be away from his family for so long, but was seated next to Roosevelt’s sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, and was very much charmed by her. Henry Cabot Lodge’s speech at the convention was very good. White believes that in the end, people of Senator Robert M. La Follette’s temperament will win out over those who are more like Representative Julius C. Burrows.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-23

Letter from Jacob A. Riis to Theodore Roosevelt

Jacob A. Riis congratulates President Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as the Republican presidential nominee. Riis and his family will be returning to the United States in early August.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-18

Letter from Ray Stannard Baker to Theodore Roosevelt

Ray Stannard Baker sends President Roosevelt proofs of his July and August articles that he could not include in his previous letter. He also encloses a humorous editorial that shows that Southerners have not had a favorable interpretation of his article like Roosevelt suggested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-09

Letter from Seth Low to Emerson Hough

Seth Low informs Emerson Hough that he has followed the advice of John O’Hara Cosgrave and has given Thomas William Lawson permission to print Hough’s article as an advertisement at his own expense. Low does not believe there is any market for selling the article, as no one would dare publish it, so this is the only way to get it into print. If Hough prints the article during the week of the Republican National Convention, however, Low thinks that it would be very profitable, and instructs Hough to print 100,000 copies to sell. Low will meet up with Hough in Chicago, but says that Hough should make arrangements with the ‘street fakirs’ for these to be sold.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-11

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid writes President Roosevelt about a number of issues, both political and social. He adds more information about Lord Edward Marjoribanks Tweedmouth’s mental breakdown and discusses the man who will replace him. Reid also relays an indignant letter he got from Clarise S. Ramsay, an American who wrongly felt she should have been invited to a royal ball. Roosevelt’s plan to go on a safari in Africa after leaving office is, Reid thinks, a very good one, and Roosevelt should not need to worry about receiving proper treatment and courtesies from British officials there. On a personal note, Reid thanks Roosevelt for his kind wishes at the news of his daughter Jean’s engagement to John H. Ward. He discusses his future son-in-law and the couple’s plans following their marriage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-04

Letter from Frank P. MacLennan to William Loeb

Frank P. MacLennan, editor of The Topeka State Journal, confidentially sends William Loeb an article which he would like shown to President Roosevelt. The writer of the article asked MacLennan to print it. MacLennan believes it is an attempt to influence public opinion as desired by the Pullman and railroad companies. MacLennan also includes two articles from his journal that he would like brought to Roosevelt’s attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-06

Letter from Ralph W. Tyler to Theodore Roosevelt

Ralph W. Tyler advises President Roosevelt that William D. Brickell has spoken with Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, who is prepared to stop his opposition to Roosevelt’s appointment as long as Judge John J. Adams, the man Foraker nominated, gets recognition somewhere. Tyler encloses a letter from Brickell for Roosevelt’s information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-06

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the ongoing cabinet crisis. King Edward VII did not return to meet with the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, upsetting the English, who value precedence. Little is going on while Asquith is in the process of putting together his new cabinet. Reid encloses two articles he believes Roosevelt will enjoy. He also discusses the wisdom of allowing newly-appointed Ambassador to Germany David Jayne Hill be guest of honor at the Pilgrim Club dinner.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-09

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid does not want to overwhelm President Roosevelt with newspaper clippings, but he “really must see the full text of this from the Times.“

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from The Observer that provides an alternate view of King Edward VII of England’s actions regarding the Cabinet, but notes that the paper is more like American “yellow” press. Reid offers his views on gossip that has re-emerged about the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, and updates Roosevelt on the actions of William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-14

Letter from William Dudley Foulke to Theodore Roosevelt

William Dudley Foulke tells President Roosevelt that he has heard from Elliot H. Goodwin about his interviews with Roosevelt and Charles J. Bonaparte. Foulke cannot pursue an investigation himself, and thinks that it should not be done until it can be done adequately. He comments on several newspapers in Indiana, and encloses an address he gave yesterday on the topic of criticism concerning Roosevelt’s attitude toward William H. Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on a matter to which Roosevelt had called his attention. Taft contacted Arthur I. Vorys about the article that had appeared in the Sun and the Herald, and says that Vorys was not aware of the article and repudiated it. Vorys investigated the matter, and found that one of his subordinates had sent out the articles from a Columbus newspaper, and that the employee had been fired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-09

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to William Loeb

John Callan O’Laughlin hopes that William Loeb has been enjoying his articles, and asks if Loeb knows if it has been printed in any Anti-Taft papers. O’Laughlin believes that Secretary of War William H. Taft has 461 votes for him, and still has a wide field to draw from for the other necessary votes. O’Laughlin will be back in early March.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-25

Letter from Charles S. Francis to William Loeb

Ambassador Francis appreciated the friendly letter from President Roosevelt. Francis tells Loeb that, from what he can gather, there has been a substantial effort to influence the tone of his newspaper, The Troy Times, against Roosevelt, but that James H. Potts, who Francis left as editor, has stood firm.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-04

Letter from Thornton H. Simmons to Theodore Roosevelt

Thornton H. Simmons thanks President Roosevelt for the letter he sent to clear up a question about Roosevelt’s boxing record while he was at Harvard. Simmons now feels confident to answer Herbert S. Underwood, of the Boston Record, although he will not let him read the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-17

Letter from Charles S. Francis to William Loeb

Ambassador Francis asks William Loeb to give President Roosevelt the enclosed letter and points out that the Troy Times has been loyal to Roosevelt and his policies. He believes that Loeb would write him quickly if the Troy Times stopped showing support for Roosevelt and assures him that he will not “play double.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-06

Letter from Thornton H. Simmons to Theodore Roosevelt

Herbert S. Underwood of the Boston Record has brought Thornton H. Simmons’s attention to newspaper clippings questioning President Roosevelt’s claim to the lightweight boxing championship while at Harvard. He was asked what year Roosevelt won the title and believes it was in 1878. His scrapbook also has Roosevelt winning a bout in 1879 but then losing a subsequent bout. He asks Roosevelt if his memory is correct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-12

Letter from William Allen White to William Loeb

William Allen White asks William Loeb to show President Roosevelt and Secretary of War William H. Taft the enclosed clipping. He feels positive about the Kansas situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-13