Your TR Source
Edward McCann thanks Theodore Roosevelt for writing an appeal to Charles Samuel Deneen for McCann’s pardon and return home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-05
President Roosevelt wishes he could do as William Michael Byrne requests in the pardon case. However, based on Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s report, he feels he cannot. Roosevelt agrees with Bonaparte that such crimes “are becoming scandalously frequent.” The business community needs to clearly understand that perjurious acts are not merely business incidents in bankruptcy cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-15
C. C. McCabe writes to inquire whether an article reporting that Roosevelt has pardoned two convicted counterfeiters is true. McCabe condemns the decision if the article is correct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-04
The writer relays a written note from President Roosevelt on the issue of clemency for Phillip Scott.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
Governor McDonald writes to President Roosevelt about a prisoner named C. C. Waggoner. McDonald is responding to Roosevelt’s letter inquiring about Waggoner. Waggoner is being held at the Colorado State Penitentiary and wishes a pardon for his crimes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-05
President Roosevelt orders the United States Department of Justice to have a special representative of the department look into the case of Henry G. Goll. Roosevelt is not satisfied with the case as Goll received the same sentence as Frank G. Bigelow despite being a mere tool in Roosevelt’s estimation and not personally profiting from the crime. Roosevelt has been informed by Senator Robert M. La Follette that the retiring and incoming state’s attorneys wish to use Goll’s evidence to prosecute wealthy criminals. Roosevelt believes that it is his duty to pardon Goll so that he may be used as state’s evidence in future investigations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-02
In preparation for leaving office, President Roosevelt seeks further information regarding a man named Smith recently convicted by Judge Morris of Minnesota. Roosevelt has received letters about the case from Marshal William H. Grimshaw and William Walter Heffelfinger, which cast doubt upon the allegations by a man named Hammond that Smith tampered with a witness. Roosevelt asks Morris to respond quickly by telegram with his opinion on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-24
President Roosevelt thanks Governor Hughes for the kind letter. The action he has taken regarding Roosevelt’s old friend, Dr. Newton M. Shaffer, exceeded Roosevelt’s hopes and expectations. Now Roosevelt would like Hughes to give his personal attention to John Lawrence Sullivan, who is advocating for a pardon on behalf of Edward Wise. Whatever conclusion Hughes reaches will be satisfactory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-07
President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte on several matters including a conflict of interest involving Lycurgus H. Lingenfelter in Idaho, the pardon of Captain William H. Von Schaick, and matters relating to Gilbert D. B. Hasbrouck and John D. Archbold. Roosevelt thinks his letter about assistant attorneys general must have passed Bonaparte’s in the mail. Roosevelt expresses his concern for Alford Warriner Cooley, who has had to resign due to tuberculosis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt has seen Bishop Hare’s letter to William Loeb and thinks he should respond himself. While Roosevelt would be glad to have lunch with Hare at any time, Hare should be advised that Roosevelt does not believe he can pardon Reverend George G. Ware. Still, enough time has passed since Ware’s punishment for land fraud for Hare to bring the case to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-16
Representative William S. Bennet has requested that President Roosevelt pardon Abram Kopel, who was charged with embezzlement in Puerto Rico. He asks Puerto Rico Governor Post to send him the facts of the case, along with his recommendation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-08
President Roosevelt informs Pierre François Feuille that New York Representative William S. Bennet has requested that he pardon Abram Kopel, who was charged with embezzlement in Puerto Rico. As Attorney General, Feuille handled the case, and Roosevelt requests a statement from him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-08
President Roosevelt informs Daniel Arthur that the statement of Jesse B. Roote was false, and that he misrepresented the actions of his client who was, in fact, selling erotica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-11
President Roosevelt informs Judge William Henry Hunt that he has forwarded the papers relating to the case of Patrick D. Lenihan, Matthew J. Plunkett, Joseph Shannon, William Cutts, and A. E. Edwards to Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte with instructions to deny their request.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25
President Roosevelt thanks Bishop Hare for the kind letter, and assures him that he does not have any misapprehensions about Hare’s attitude. Roosevelt says that one of the most painful things he has to do is to refuse pardons for offenders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-24
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Bonaparte what to do about Stephen A. D. Puter. Francis J. Heney recommends that he be pardoned due to his involvement with the Oregon land frauds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-31
President Roosevelt will not pardon Douglas W. Hickman on the basis of restoring his citizenship and right to vote as Representative Williams had requested. Roosevelt never pardons any man he considers guilty, although he might consider restoring voting to an individual who has spent at least a year as a good citizen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-29
President Roosevelt assures John Lawrence Sullivan that he will look into the court-martial case of Sullivan’s nephew, John L. Lennon. He wants to hear what Secretary of War William H. Taft thinks about it, as Roosevelt must consider the precedent he will set if he intervenes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-04
President Roosevelt tells William Allen White that he has only discussed the Burton affair in jest and feels honored that he was “singled out” by former Kansas Senator Joseph Ralph Burton. He was never seen the letter within by pardon clerk Peyton Gordon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt confidentially sends Governor of New Jersey Stokes some correspondence with Secret Service Chief John E. Wilkie. Roosevelt feels Alfred W. Wishart is being imposed upon by William MacQueen’s request for a pardon as there is no doubt, he is a “shiftless character” and anarchist. Roosevelt directs Stokes to share the substance of the letter with the Board of Pardons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19