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President Roosevelt thanks Mayor Roxas y Fernandez of Manila for the silver loving cup from the first toast at the first Philippine Assembly banquet. He believes sustained “wisdom and self restraint” as seen in the initial actions of the Assembly will lead to Filipino self governance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-14
President Roosevelt congratulates the Philippine Assembly on the joint resolution passed by the Assembly and the Philippine Commission. Roosevelt wishes the Assembly success in performing their duties, and calls on them to put aside their personal interests and serve the larger interests of their country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-13
Jackson Smith asks President Roosevelt to direct Secretary of War William H. Taft to postpone his upcoming trip to Berlin by an additional week, as Taft’s work with the Philippine Assembly is of utmost importance and this is a crucial moment for that body.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-31
Secretary of War Taft is enclosing some letters regarding the conditions on the Philippines for President Roosevelt. Taft thinks that the political situation is improving, although he does not think General Leonard Wood has a firm grasp of it. Taft will stay in the Philippines for another week before continuing on to Russia and Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-18
Secretary of War Taft notifies President Roosevelt that the Philippine Assembly is now organized and ready to assume its duties, and Roosevelt should expect a joint resolution from the Assembly and the Philippine Commission to that effect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-18
Governor-General Smith notifies President Roosevelt of a joint resolution passed by the Philippine Assembly and the Philippine Commission. The resolution signifies the intent of these bodies to carry out their representative duties on behalf of the Filipino people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-19
Secretary of War Taft hopes that President Roosevelt will send a cordial response to the joint resolution from the Philippine Assembly and the Philippine Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-21
Rudolph Forster notifies Maurice Latta of a telegram he has received from Secretary of War William H. Taft. Taft wants to inform President Roosevelt of the joint resolution passed by the Philippine Assembly and the Philippine Commission, and hopes Roosevelt will send a response. Forster has also sent the resolution to Nashville, Tennessee, via post.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-21
Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
Governor-General James F. Smith provides the Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly with a detailed report summarizing the administration of the Philippines and its economic standing. Smith is hopeful that the Assembly will rise to the challenge of governance, and exhorts them to fulfill their duties well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-16
W. Cameron Forbes reports on his work in the Insular Government of the Philippines, which he states is understaffed. Forbes notes that the Commission has taken several important measures towards increasing autonomy of the Filipino people, most notably giving them the power to elect the third member of the provincial board. Business conditions are generally improving, with a decrease in imports and positive attitudes from the merchant class. Forbes considers the lack of good roads and the deterioration of those that exist to be the greatest failure of American efforts in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-05
A statistical breakdown of votes for delegates to the Philippine Assembly by political party and province.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
Secretary of War William H. Taft addresses the Philippine Assembly at their inaugural gathering. Taft gives an overview of the American administration of the Philippines as well as his assessment of the challenges facing the Assembly in the fulfillment of their political duties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-16