Otis, Elwell S. (Elwell Stephen), 1838-1909

President McKinley writes to accept the Republican Party’s nomination for President and accepts the platform. He discusses his desire to uphold the gold standard and refutes the opinions of those who support the silver standard. He also comments on international affairs, including the territorial government in Alaska and Hawaii, war loans from the Spanish American War, neutrality policies in the Boer War, law and order in Cuba, and holdings in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. He also comments on domestic issues including civil service reform, the volume of United States currency, and domestic shipping. Finally, McKinley comments on insurrection and peace treaties in the Philippines, asserting his desire for peace and that no person be “deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-09-10

Creator(s)

McKinley, William, 1843-1901

E. A. Stowe discloses to Theodore Roosevelt his admiration for him. However, he is disappointed by Roosevelt’s recent article on Elwell S. Otis, and was further disappointed by his usage of Samuel Gompers.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-20

Creator(s)

Stowe, E. A. (Ernest Albert), 1859-1938

Charles Fletcher Lummis wishes President Roosevelt “Good Hunting” while he is in Africa, and hopes to give him “a lot of good stuff” from his collection on Spanish America once he gets back. Lately, Lummis has been receiving “nice reminders” from those involved in the Apache Wars. Lummis attaches a signed photograph of himself and would like Roosevelt to send one of himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-21

Creator(s)

Lummis, Charles Fletcher, 1859-1928

This document compiles research regarding the foundation and present condition, including value and ownership, of four Catholic organizations in Manila, which Secretary of War Taft discussed in an address at the University of Notre Dame.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-27

Creator(s)

Unknown

Senator Proctor is concerned that none of the three Vermont officers he has recommended have been promoted. Proctor outlines the three cases: Colonel Miller, Colonel Stephen Perry Jocelyn, and Major Eugene Frederick Ladd, and asks Roosevelt to see things from his point of view. Proctor believes that his acquaintance with the army and his support of Elihu Root entitles him to “a little consideration.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-06

Creator(s)

Proctor, Redfield, 1831-1908

This exhaustively illustrated account of the Spanish-American war seeks to present the official history of the war according to the United States War Records Office. It encompasses the events leading up to the war, the war itself, as well as its resolution and aftermath. While it mentions the various engagements taking place during the war, most of the focus is on Cuba and the action of the United States Navy and Army in fighting Spanish forces there in support of Cuban rebels. It additionally includes general information on the theaters of war, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Collection

Smithsonian

Creation Date

1900

Creator(s)

Wright, Marcus J. (Marcus Joseph), 1831-1922

Although John H. Parker proposes to correct any “errors of fact” made in his previous publication concerning the Santiago campaign during the Spanish-American War, such revisions will not sufficiently remedy the evil done by his first publication of questionable statements reflecting on other officers. Any future publications must be submitted to War Department for review. The report also contains a timeline of Parker’s commendations, efficiency report summaries with statements by previous commanding officers, and a list of battles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

Creator(s)

Unknown

Print shows the dream of an “Anti-Expansionist” where Admiral George Dewey, General Elwell S. Otis, a sailor, and a soldier come ashore in the Philippines to offer their weapons and the American flag in surrender to Emilio Aguinaldo and a poorly armed, ragged, but haughty, group of Filipinos.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-04-19

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Print shows Uncle Sam and Columbia observing from a viewing stand on the right and a group of American military officers observing from a viewing stand on the left, a small group of elderly men parading with a banner showing a portrait of Emilio Aguinaldo labeled “Aguinaldo Our Hero.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-11-22

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

General Elwell S. Otis, wearing a military uniform and holding papers labeled “Plans of Campaign,” is confronted by a swarm of press reporters as mosquitoes labeled “Yellow Journalist.” One of the reporters is holding a paper that states, “If you don’t let us run this business, we’ll run you out.” Several of the mosquitoes at bottom have gotten caught on a fly-paper labeled “Press Censorship.” Caption: General Otis–If it wasn’t for that “tanglefoot” fly-paper those insects would pester the life out of me!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-08-16

Creator(s)

Dalrymple, Louis, 1866-1905

Governor Roosevelt writes about his recent visit to the White House and his hopes for President McKinley’s policy decisions. Roosevelt is finding it difficult to enjoy his vacation because of the amount of work facing him as governor, but he is very happy to hold the office.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1899-07-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

James Francis Smith writes to President Roosevelt in receipt of his letter and those of Bishop McFaul, Father James T. Reilly, and Father O’Mahoney. Smith discusses grievances reported by Catholic officials about poor relations between the Catholic Church and Philippine government. Referencing the Spanish-American War and American colonization in the Philippines, Smith discusses the Cavite uprising of 1872, the Pact of Biac Na Bato, and Filipino blood pacts inspired by European secret societies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-24

Creator(s)

Smith, James Francis, 1859-1928

Partial newspaper article pointing out that Generals Wesley Merritt, John Rutter Brooke, and Elwell Stephen Otis received eulogistic orders upon their retirement, against army regulations. General Nelson Appleton Miles did not receive similar orders and the War Department’s explanation is that Merritt, Brooke, and Otis retired from “immediate active service in the field.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08

Creator(s)

Unknown

The writer criticizes President Roosevelt and Elihu Root for not officially praising General Nelson Appleton Miles upon his retirement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08

Creator(s)

Unknown

Nine letters of recommendation for Thomas Henry Barry for promotion to the grade of Brigadier General and copies of three letters of commendation praising Barry’s service in the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-16

Creator(s)

Unknown

The next scheduled retirements are Generals Elwell Stephen Otis and John Rutter Brooke.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-04

Creator(s)

Unknown

Senator Lodge tells Governor Roosevelt that Roosevelt overrates Lodge’s actions. If the positions were reversed, Lodge is certain that Roosevelt would do even more for him. He is also sure that when Roosevelt is president one day he will return the favor by helping Lodge. Lodge comments on aspects of New York politics, and addresses a recent change in the War Department to which Roosevelt contributed, with the previous Secretary of War R. A. Alger being replaced by Elihu Root. The situation in Cuba makes Lodge unhappy, and he wishes that President McKinley would replace General Brooke. Additionally, while McKinley may be correct about General Otis, the general impression is that he is a failure. Lodge wishes that General Wood was in charge in Cuba. He also predicts that Frederick Funston will be a good ally in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-08-10

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924