Your TR Source
President Roosevelt shares with George Kennan the difficulties he has had dealing with the movement in California to remove the children of Japanese immigrants from schools. Although labor is partially to blame, Roosevelt believes deeply rooted racism is also at fault.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-09
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit Roosevelt on the comings and goings of the White House and his thoughts on a recent article that appeared in Outing. Roosevelt had hoped to keep his upcoming visit to Groton School and Harvard University private, but it has leaked. He is having difficulties resolving the segregation of Japanese students from San Fransisco schools and the resulting diplomatic tensions, but has decided immigration from Japan must be curtailed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-09
President Roosevelt responds to a letter from his friend John Milliken Parker. Roosevelt remarks on Parker’s “hysterical tone” suggesting that “increase of rape” and the “relations of the races” has anything to do with Roosevelt’s friendship with Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt does not believe he needs to speak to the press as Parker suggests and gives many examples when he expounded his beliefs on the matter of race relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
President Roosevelt had recently finished Owen Wister’s book Lady Baltimore, and sends Wister his thoughts and criticisms of the work. While he enjoyed the story, Roosevelt believes the book is unfairly critical of northerners and uncritical of southerners. Similarly, Roosevelt points out that while the book lauds the past at the expense of the present, there are many examples of violence, brutality, greed, and other vices in the past. Roosevelt also remarks on the status of African-Americans, and while he agrees with Wister in certain regards, believes the work has gone too far in the racist stereotypes. He hopes that Wister will be able to visit him soon. In a postscript, Roosevelt mentions a number of other books he has read or is reading that similarly make readers “feel that there is no use of trying to reform anything because everything is so rotten that the whole social structure should either be let alone or destroyed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-27
The enclosed telegram from Ambassador Lloyd Carpenter Griscom, asking if immigration officials will cause problems for members of the Japanese peace delegation, strikes President Roosevelt as the “most severe commentary on the methods of the immigration officials in connection with Oriental peoples.” He wishes to speak with Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf before Metcalf leaves for California in order to draft a circular with instructions for Bureau of Immigration officers regarding their conduct relating to Chinese and Japanese travelers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
President Roosevelt sends two editorials to Francis E. Leupp concerning Roosevelt’s policy toward African Americans. One accuses Roosevelt of being too lax in standing up for African Americans, while the other claims Roosevelt has shown one-sided intensity instead of tact and patience.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-19
President Roosevelt appreciates Mr. Ford’s letter to James Sullivan Clarkson, particularly the section about the revolt at the Democrats appealing to Irish Americans on the basis of race.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-16
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Knox to begin an investigation into why William Demos Crum has not been paid his salary for his service as collector of the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-02
President Roosevelt says that Cecil Spring Rice’s recent letter about the Russo-Japanese war interested him. Roosevelt admires much about the Russians but thinks that they can never be successful with such a despotic government in place; while the Japanese, though “non-Aryan and non-Christian,” have a less despotic government and so are more successful at the present time. The United States intends to remain neutral in the conflict, but Americans generally sympathize with the Russians. If the Japanese win, the world “will have to reckon with a great new force in eastern Asia.” However, Roosevelt believes that the war will end in a stalemate which will not allow “the creation of either a yellow peril or a Slav peril.” While Roosevelt does not believe that either England or the United States are in immediate danger, it does concern him that neither have much military experience. Roosevelt closes by urging Spring Rice to bring his wife as soon as they are married, and says that it will be fun to host them at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-19
President Roosevelt will renominate John H. Deveaux. He has a good record and Roosevelt will not oppose him simply because of his skin color.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-01
President Roosevelt responds to Colonel Lawton’s appointment suggestion and refuses to deny reappointment to the current holder of the position on the grounds that a man’s skin color does not prevent him from being a good public servant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-01
President Roosevelt reviews George R. Koester’s statement of events surrounding a lynching. He suggests that Koester bolster his case “by evidence of others.” Roosevelt would then like to consult with Senator McLaurin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-08
President Roosevelt thanks Consul Tourgee for his kind letter, but admits his invitation to Booker T. Washington was an impulsive decision rather than a calculated one. Although he has not been able to “think out any solution” to the problematic race relations in the United States, Roosevelt feels strongly that each man, white or black, should be treated “strictly on his merits as a man” and that he, as President, should act according to his convictions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-08
President Roosevelt is already investigating the alleged incident with George R. Koester, and is surprised at the allegations because of Koester’s history upholding “the rights of the colored man.” He will look carefully at the facts and determine what should be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-09
President Roosevelt assures Booker T. Washington that comments made about their dinner will not affect the stand he has taken or his policies in the American South. Roosevelt also requests Washington’s opinion of various political figures in Missouri and Mississippi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-02
President Roosevelt finds the reaction in the South to the Booker T. Washington incident to be “literally inexplicable.” He would not fear to have a man like Washington to dinner if it cost him every political friend he had. Roosevelt met with Governor Odell and does not anticipate any future misunderstandings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-24
Walter L. Cohen tells Theodore Roosevelt of the desire of the African American citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana, to welcome him to their city. Unfortunately they have been excluded from the site where Roosevelt is to give his address, and do not want to stir up animosity in the community by pressing the issue. Cohen nevertheless welcomes Roosevelt to the city and sends good wishes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-11
Joachim I. Martins condemns Theodore Roosevelt for insulting the Portuguese, as reported by the Boston American. However, if the account is false, he apologizes for unduly accusing him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-26
Gough D. McDaniels, the first black winner of Brown University’s Gaston medal, delivers a speech exhorting the United States to send support for Liberia. McDaniels argues that the Liberians have a chance to civilize the African continent, and points out the ways that a stable Liberia could economically benefit the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910
This memorandum details a political analysis of Japan’s willingness to go to war with the United States, partially over the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 and anti-Japanese sentiments in the United States. The author concludes that a war with the United States would negatively affect Japanese finances and exports, with little to gain should they win. Also pondered are the root causes of Japanese migration to the United States and what Japan might stand to gain in a war with the United States, Russia, or China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908