Pacific Ocean

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he admires his willingness to sacrifice his own interests for a principle, but encourages him to avoid talking about delicate subjects where his words could be twisted. Roosevelt is glad that Taft understands the situation with another potential presidential candidate, Governor Charles Evans Hughes, remarking that he has a “distinct strength with the people.” The president believes that Taft will get the majority of the delegates in the West on the first roll and that the majority of people in New England are for Taft. Finally, Roosevelt notes that the New York papers are “almost insane” in regard to his actions, suggesting that Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold were “pretty good citizens by comparison.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence F. Abbott

President Roosevelt sends Lawrence F. Abbott several letters and telegrams about the Standard Oil Company case that are for his information only. He also answers Abbott’s questions about the Great White Fleet, emphasizing that the fleet must always stay together as a unit whether in Atlantic or Pacific waters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt and William Loeb both think Secretary of War Taft’s chances of being elected are improving. Removing Kentucky Collector of Internal Revenue Edward T. Franks is delicate, and Roosevelt will consult with Commissioner of Internal Revenue John G. Capers. Roosevelt will echo Taft’s statement on the Philippines. The financiers are now attacking the Great White Fleet’s trip to the Pacific. Roosevelt sends an enclosure exemplifying Lucius Nathan Littauer’s behavior, and he has heard there will be support for Governor Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jonathan Bourne

President Roosevelt enjoyed Senator Bourne’s letter and the quotations from his wife, Lillian Elizabeth Wyatt Bourne. He appreciates Bourne’s support of sending the fleet to the Pacific, which will happen regardless of the approval of Senator Eugene Hale.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry’s letter helped President Roosevelt better understand the situation. Roosevelt believes the best itinerary for the Great White Fleet to follow is through the Straits of Magellan and returning through the Suez Canal, but he seeks advice from the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Admiral Willard H. Brownson. Roosevelt also believes several reporters should accompany the fleet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt directs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry to return the memorandum to the General Board of the Navy, saying he approves all of it except for the point about dividing the fleet. Naval history and the recent Russo-Japanese War illustrate the dangers of splitting forces to protect multiple strategic points. Roosevelt wants the Atlantic Fleet to remain a singular unit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt returns two reports to Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry and approves of Newberry’s actions in the improvement of training future officers in the military and naval academies. In a postscript, Roosevelt notes that Maine Senator Eugene Hale is adding to the tensions between the United States and Japan by his actions, and asks Newberry for his alternate plans for the fleet as soon as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt believes the arguments of Admiral H. N. Manney against sending the naval fleet to the Pacific are absurd. If the arguments were true in a time of peace, they could more readily be applied in the event of war, in which case the United States should resign itself to giving up the Philippines, Hawaii, and Alaska, as well as Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

President Roosevelt tells British Ambassador to the United States Grey that Rennel Rodd was offered a position interacting with the US government, but turned it down. Roosevelt contrasts the attitudes and relations of a number of different countries with America and England, and takes a specific focus on Japan. Roosevelt notes that Japan has continued preparing for war over the last decade, and writes that there will be industrial competition between Japan and European countries. He also wonders if they are planning on invading America, Germany, or the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the United States and Japan to sign a treaty stating they will keep their citizens out of each other’s labor markets. Roosevelt closes by remarking on the similarities in governmental thinking and military approach between the United States and England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for allowing the USS Constitution to remain in Boston and encourages Roosevelt not to send the ship to Annapolis. Lodge also informs Roosevelt that he supports his plan to send the fleet on a cruise in the Pacific, but he anticipates a significant debate about it. Lodge also replies to Roosevelt’s letter of September 4 and says that he is glad the president has such a high opinion of Senator John Kean’s wine cellar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Memorandum for reply to letter from Senator Lodge

Navy Department Chief of the Bureau of Equipment Cowles outlines the situation regarding the transfer of coal for Senator Lodge. The Navy Department used to accept coal shipments from American vessels to Pacific ports under the coastwise shipping laws, but it was unsustainable due to rates and foreign markets. In response to the issue, the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Edward Hale Campbell ruled that President Roosevelt had the authority to charter foreign vessels. Cowles lists the American vessels that were chartered. Allegations have been made that the Navy illegally selected foreign vessels, hurting American shipping, and Cowles gives examples to refute these claims. For the remainder of the voyage of the Fleet, the department intends to utilize American vessels as often as possible, but the necessary coal will have to come in foreign bottoms.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

Creator(s)

Cowles, Wm. S. (William Sheffield), 1846-1923

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge informs President Roosevelt of the rumored attacks against sending the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific. With the upcoming presidential campaign, Lodge feels these attacks are an attempt to “get in a blow at the Administration.” He advises they “ought not leave any loophole” for the opposition, such as the role of the coastwise law, which he details. As a separate matter, Lodge mentions the contentious relocation of the USS Constitution from Boston to Annapolis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Creator(s)

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Vessels of the battleship fleet which will sail for the Pacific from Hampton Roads to-day

A picture of the sixteen battleships making up the Great White Fleet which started their journey from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to the Pacific Ocean.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-16

Creator(s)

New York tribune

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Clarence H. Mackay

President Roosevelt congratulates Clarence H. Mackay on the success of the Pacific cable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt formally opens the American Pacific Cable with greeting to Governor Taft and the people of the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Price Collier

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Price Collier and assures him that it is fine they disagree, but notes that he will continue to argue “for what is fundamentally right.” As an example, he cites Coller’s recent book, with which he disagrees with certain implications but ultimately believes it is valuable for explaining the good things about British colonization and for instructing Americans about world affairs. Roosevelt also mentions that he “takes a certain grim delight” in the discovery that his opinions, while vilified by the “peace-at-any-price people,” may have had an ultimately positive impact on the proposed arbitration treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Harold L. Ickes

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Harold L. Ickes about using the posts he suggested to create the extra officers the military will soon require. Roosevelt does not want to become involved in advocating for the details, however, as he wants to focus on what he considers to be the main issue–encouraging American preparedness and national solidarity while monitoring developments in Europe, the Pacific, and Mexico. Roosevelt does not believe in a large standing army, but he does support a large navy and universal military training. Roosevelt admits he is “ashamed of America” because of its current stance in regards to World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Sperry

President Roosevelt telegraphs Admiral Sperry his congratulations, both personally and to the officers and enlisted men of the Navy more broadly, on the eve of the Great White Fleet’s departure. The trip around South America has already shown the efficiency and devotion to duty of the fleet, and Roosevelt is confident that the trip through the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans will continue in this same vein.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt returns the reports Secretary of the Navy Metcalf had sent him on the possibility of the battleship fleet remaining in the Pacific Ocean. Before he gives an answer, Roosevelt wants a report on the possibility of the fleet visiting Australia. He does not think the ships should remain in the Pacific, but should be brought back home.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charlemagne Tower

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Tower to thank German Emperor William II for the message. Roosevelt was already aware of the presence of Japanese in Mexico, and comments that many Japanese do not remain in Mexico, but attempt to enter the United States. Roosevelt comments about Japanese seeking to enter the United States from Canada as well, and suggests that the reason that many of these immigrants are soldiers is not due to plans by the Japanese emperor, but because they have trouble readjusting to life in Japan after having served in Manchuria. Roosevelt is pleased by William II’s approval of what he did with the fleet in the Pacific.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919