Puerto Rico

Letter from Willis Sweet to Weldon Brinton Heyburn

Willis Sweet updates Weldon Heyburn on prison conditions in Puerto Rico and other matters. Prisoners in Puerto Rico are not confined to individual cells, instead they are herded together. Problems within the prison are complicated by weak prison authority. Sweet also must deal with a number of pardons. Original sentences do not always fit the crime. Trial by jury has also been recently implemented in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-28

Summary of letter from James Herbert Blenk

Bishop Blenk states that Governor Hunt’s health is failing due to stress and the climate of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-09

Letter from James Herbert Blenk to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Blenk informs President Roosevelt that he has written an extensive letter to Governor Hunt of Puerto Rico regarding an important issue. He states that he will be at Roosevelt’s beck and call if needed in the states to discuss matters further.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-16

Letter from Charles H. Allen to William Henry Hunt

Charles H. Allen reports that D. M. Field is claiming to be a representative of the National Democratic Committee and is speaking across Puerto Rico about home rule and statehood. These statements should be countered by the Republican Party. Original and typewritten copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-17

Letter from Regis Henri Post to Theodore Roosevelt

Regis Henri Post sends his impressions of Puerto Rico. He describes Governor Hunt as a “splendid fellow” and believes the administration is a “pretty good lot.” Post would like to be consulted if the Danish West Indies comes under American control. He believes that Charles Hartzell would make an excellent successor to Hunt and has heard that Judge Sulzbacher wants to leave for a job back in the U.S.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-31

Letter from James Herbert Blenk to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Blenk suggests that although Governor Hunt is a hard and dedicated worker, his health is failing due to the extreme stress of his job. Blenk suggests that perhaps a new, younger candidate should succeed Hunt as governor of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-09

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

George B. Cortelyou updates President Roosevelt on the progress of his work with the new Department of Commerce and Labor, especially his efforts to have an Assistant Secretary appointed quickly. He also touches on other matters, including the Post Office investigation, New York politics, and the Puerto Rico smuggling cases.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-23

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge expresses his satisfaction with President Roosevelt’s speeches, particularly related to the tariff. He also found Secretary Root’s speech in Boston admirable. Alice Roosevelt’s visit to Puerto Rico appears to have been a success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-08

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to George B. Cortelyou

Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses documents for President Roosevelt from Governor William Henry Hunt and the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico requesting an amendment to the reciprocity treaty with Cuba regarding duties on coffee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-18

Letter from the New York & Porto Rico Steamship Company to William Loeb

The New York & Porto Rico Steamship Company would be pleased to accommodate Alice Roosevelt to and from Puerto Rico, but it is advisable to make reservations as far in advance as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-20

Letter from William Henry Hunt to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Hunt encloses a memorial requesting that Puerto Rican coffee be added as one of the products with the highest rebate to the Reciprocity Treaty between the United States and Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-04

Memorial regarding Puerto Rican coffee imported into Cuba

The Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico requests that the Reciprocity Treaty between Cuba and the United States be amended to allow Puerto Rican coffee to one of the products imported into Cuba with the highest rebate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-04

Letter from Joseph Benson Foraker to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Foraker is chairman of the Committee on Pacific Islands and Puerto Rico which will be discussing a controversy regarding the lands and property of the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico. Foraker favors appointing a commission to investigate the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-07

Memorandum on naval strategy from Henry Clay Taylor

Admiral Taylor defends the current naval strategy in the Pacific and West Indies, specifically Puerto Rico and the Philippines. He is responding to remarks made by Admiral Clark regarding a potential war with Germany and the need to abandon posts in the Pacific. Taylor also discusses the implementation of the “Coast Squadron.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-09

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay encloses a letter from Archbishop Placide Louis Chapelle regarding his opinion on the state of affairs in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-22

Message of the Hon. William H. Hunt to the Second Legislative Assembly

Governor Hunt addresses the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly at the start of the first session. He describes his vision for the government, education, finances, courts, infrastructure, and public lands of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-13

Letter from William Henry Hunt to Theodore Roosevelt

The Puerto Rican legislature has 25 Republicans and 10 Federals. Governor Hunt encloses his message to the legislature laying out conditions on Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-14

Letter from Placide Louis Chapelle to John Hay

Archbishop Chapelle discusses the question of church property in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-17

Letter from Regis H. Post to William H. Hunt

Auditor of Puerto Rico Post writes to Governor Hunt about the need for continued support for the Puerto Rico Provisional Regiment. The soldiers are native but the officers are Americans, and the regiment is a positive force on the Island, helping to teach the Puerto Rican people patriotism. Post fears that without legislation passed this winter, the regiment will lose its American officers and will “go to pot.” He is uncertain whether Hunt can or should do anything, but he feels strongly that the regiment should be kept up.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-29

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson hopes that a position can be found for Charles William Anderson. Sullivan has received a letter from Booker T. Washington urging the appointment of John Stephens Durham to an important position. Appointments for Anderson and Durham will be popular with the African American community.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-20