Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with Farnham Bishop’s success and is sure his parents are too. He thinks the monument should be at Panama itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Carter H. Fitz-Hugh for sharing the editorial. He comments on arbitration treaties. Roosevelt believes the current relations between England and the United States make war unlikely. However, the current actions of other countries, such as Italy, in foreign regions show that treaties are worthless if they are not backed by force.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Secretary of War Stimson for sending the fine speech by Judge Emile Henry Lacombe and encloses it with the letter. He asks that Stimson convey his compliments to Lacombe when he sees him and comments on how nice it was to see Stimson and his family yesterday. He encourages Stimson to take Mrs. Stimson on his trip to South America as he did with Mrs. Roosevelt on his trips to Panama and Elihu Root did with his wife when he went to South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Frank M. Chapman about the Popular Science article and a criticism of Roosevelt’s “Appendix E” by Thayer, in a letter to the Tribune. He also finds Chapman’s Trinidad article very interesting and disagrees on several points about the birds of Trinidad, although he concedes that Chapman’s experience and training is greater than his own. Roosevelt further discusses his arguments about the coloration, cover, behavior, and habit of birds in the United States, Africa, and Latin America. He thanks Chapman for the interest in his article, thoroughly enjoyed his visit the other day, and will take his notes on the galley sheets into advisement. He returns The Awk and Osborn’s copy of Nature. In the addendum, Roosevelt answers Thayer’s criticism in the Popular Science magazine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned about the arbitration treaty. He views it either as a lie, because the American people will not allow it to be observed, or as a path to “national impotence and degradation.” Roosevelt is concerned about the potential arbitration of some issues if requested by foreign powers, such as unlimited Japanese immigration or Germany’s right to purchase the Danish West Indies. He does not believe that Senator Lodge should support the treaty without several revisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-12
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son-in-law, Representative Nicholas Longworth, that he is not sure how to answer the question Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner put to him regarding testifying in front of the Steel Corporation Investigating Committee. While President William H. Taft has urged Roosevelt to decline to be interviewed, Roosevelt thinks that though he will not volunteer to go, if asked he would comply. If he volunteered to testify before any committee, he would be asked why he did not volunteer to speak before others as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt was very glad to hear what President Taft said about Panama, and comments that he “always felt that the one thing for which [he] deserved the most credit in [his] entire administration was [his] action in seizing the psychological moment to get complete control of Panama.” He is not sure if he can be of use in regard to Japan, but would be pleased to speak with Secretary of State Philander C. Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-06
President Roosevelt informs F. R. Wingate of his plans to go on safari in the British territories in Africa. He lists the places he intends to visit and the animals he intends to shoot. Most of the specimens will be donated to the Smithsonian Institute, although Roosevelt and his son Kermit may keep a few trophies for themselves. Roosevelt assures Wingate that he intends to travel as a private citizen, and does not want the leaders of any of the territories making special arrangements for him. He adds that he is interested to see how Wingate and others have managed the British possessions in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Dr. Henry M. Leipziger, Supervisor of Lectures for the New York City Board of Education, about an upcoming lecture. George Kruck Cherrie, who accompanied Roosevelt through South America and is very knowledgeable about the people, flora, and fauna of South America, will be presenting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-20
Theodore Roosevelt provides several corrections to William Roscoe Thayer’s article, “John Hay and the Panama Republic.” Roosevelt denies conspiring with Philippe Bunau-Varilla and defends his actions as Colombia could not be treated as a “responsible power.” Had there not been a revolt, Roosevelt was prepared to seize the isthmus by force. However, he took advantage of the situation and stopped the “bandits” from holding up a great project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-02
Theodore Roosevelt was able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt does not believe there is “substantial feeling against Austria-Hungary in America,” but the public is wary of Germany due to the invasion and occupation of Belgium. He does not see the slightest analogy between his actions in Panama and Colombia while president with the German action towards Belgium. Roosevelt had hoped that Austria-Hungary could develop into a “gigantic Switzerland of South-eastern Europe” with equality for the country’s many ethnic groups. Since the nation became prominent in public life, Great Britain has always been friendly towards the United States. This contrasts sharply with Roosevelt’s feeling that, given the opportunity, Germany would force the United States to accept “utter humiliation or war.” He admires Germany and Germans and has always sought friendship between Germany and the United States. However, Roosevelt sees no justification for German conduct in Belgium and he will always judge foreign nations by their conduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt is in “substantial agreement” with the arguments put forth in Governor MacCorkle’s book. Roosevelt wants to see the United States take a more aggressive position on preparedness; he feels the country must do its duty as it did in Cuba, San Domingo, and Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-02
Theodore Roosevelt thanks James Heild for the letter which describes the matter accurately. Roosevelt hopes Heild saw his recent article in the Metropolitan on Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
Senator Stone requested Theodore Roosevelt’s objections to the Colombian treaty report but Roosevelt was not given enough time to prepare anything new. He calls Stone’s attention to an article he wrote on the topic that was published in the February edition of Metropolitan Magazine and a speech delivered by Joseph Benson Foraker on December 17, 1903.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-23
Theodore Roosevelt declines Franck Taylor Evans’ invitation to travel to Panama due to the impending treaty between Panama and Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-03
Theodore Roosevelt is angry that David Saville Muzzey’s book says that the United States government knew about the revolt in Panama. The Metropolitan Magazine will contain Roosevelt’s statement on the business.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-16
A full account of Theodore Roosevelt’s actions towards Colombia and the creation of the Panama Canal will appear in two weeks in Metropolitan Magazine. He does not understand Hannis Taylor’s attempts at misrepresenting his actions; he was transparent in the process. As president at the time, Roosevelt takes responsibility for gaining control of the canal zone and beginning construction of the Panama Canal. His actions were in accord with the nation’s treaty obligations, followed American policy precedents towards the region, were ratified by Congress, and were “indispensable to the honor and the interest of the United States.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-07
President Roosevelt writes to Dr. Gorgas, stating that he refused to sanction the removal of Gorgas from the position of Chief Sanitary Officer with the Isthmian Canal Commission. Roosevelt sends Christmas greetings and jokes that the cold weather must be making Gorgas yearn for Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt asserts to Mark Sullivan that all the money was paid to Panama and France regarding the creation of the Panama Canal. None of Roosevelt’s personal friends bought securities or speculated on the Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-29
Theodore writes a letter of introduction for Mary Alice Ford Armstrong and Elizabeth Whitwell Tudor to Joseph Bucklin Bishop. Roosevelt asks Bishop to make sure the women see the “things that ought to be seen in Panama.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-26