Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Archbishop Ireland for the kind message he conveyed from Cardinal Rampolla. He extends his thanks and regard through Rampolla to Pope Leo XIII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-15
Archbishop Ireland suggests that John Watson Foster lead the mission to the Vatican to discuss Filipino matters. At the end of January, Ireland plans to take up the “Storer matter” with Senator Foraker. The Archbishop is pleased that the citizens of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota approve of President Roosevelt’s leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-02
The letter presenting William Eleroy Curtis from Cardinal Rampolla to former Secretary of State John W. Foster is filed under Curtis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
Bellamy Storer writes to President Roosevelt asking him to consider the facts, which Storer has enclosed as a statement of points, regarding his dismissal from diplomatic service. The dismissal was based on the grounds that both Storer’s conduct, in his capacity as an American ambassador, and his wife Maria Longworth Storer’s conduct in Rome, blurred the lines of public office and personal opinion regarding the promotion of Archbishop John Ireland to Cardinal. Storer defends his actions, including full and partial correspondence between those chiefly involved, to prove that he was acting in his public capacity at the request of President Roosevelt, which Roosevelt now denies. Storer is aggrieved that he was dismissed before his letter of resignation could have reached Washington since he was on leave in Egypt at the time he received Roosevelt’s request for his resignation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-18
An article in the California Christian Advocate has published an article discussing Maria Longworth Storer’s attempt to secure President Roosevelt’s endorsement in a “scheme” to convince Pope Pius X to appoint Archbishop John Ireland a cardinal. Roosevelt did not give his endorsement because it would be improper to interfere in the official business of the Catholic church. Nonetheless, Storer “caused the impression to be conveyed to the pope that the President desired Ireland” for the cardinal position, although Pope Pius X denies this. The writer of the article believes Roosevelt to be “so open-minded, so sincere, so frank, that the Roman church has found him an easy mark for its schemes.” The writer goes on to accuse Rome of “defying” the President by trying to prevent the recall of Ambassador Storer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
A full-page newspaper article about the “church problem” in the Philippines. The problem of anti-church sentiment among Flipinos, particularly against friars, was already existing and inherited by the United States government. Secretary of War William H. Taft, formerly Governor-General of the Philippines, takes a commission to The Holy See to seek solutions to these problems in common interest. Issues of land ownership and the establishment of a school system are negotiated successfully by Taft’s commission in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-22
Bishop of Jaro in the Philippines Frederick Zadok Rooker discusses the Government in Manlia, Attorney Smith, and the Aglipayan Movement in Philippines. Rooker writes of local resentment of American rule and about the corrupt practices of Cardinal Rampola, and bishops and priests of the area. Rooker sends regards to Mrs. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-22
Acting Secretary of State Loomis informs Benjamin F. Barnes that he is forwarding Cardinal Rampolla’s reply to President Roosevelt’s telegram of sympathy on the death of Pope Leo XIII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-24
Father Vattmann discusses his audience with Pope Leo XIII and other Catholic dignitaries, especially concerning information he had learned during his stay in the Philippines. Vattmann expresses disappointment among military that Colonel William Spencer McCaskey has not been promoted to Brigadier General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-24
John Ireland thanks President Roosevelt for sending his condolences to Cardinal Rampolla upon the death of Pope Leo XIII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-20
Acting Secretary of State Loomis writes to Benjamin F. Barnes to check the wording of a message to Cardinal Rampolla regarding the health of Pope Leo XIII. Loomis would like President Roosevelt’s approval of the message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-17
Assistant Secretary of State Loomis requested that the State Department contact the telegraph company regarding what he believed might have been an error in transmission. The company confirmed that a mistake had been made at the New York office and the signature should have been Rampolla.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-21
Bishop O’Gorman is pleased that President Roosevelt is recovering from the accident that happened in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He congratulates Roosevelt on the settlement of the Anthracite Coal Strike and the appointment of Bishop Spaulding to the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission. Pope Leo XIII has had kind things to say about the American administration of the Philippines and hopes the nomination of Monsignor Giovanni Battista Guidi as apostolic delegate to the Philippines is pleasing to Roosevelt and Governor Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-17
Secretary of War Root writes to Governor General of the Philippines Taft, who is in Rome. Root acknowledges the Vatican’s willingness to withdraw the friars currently in the Islands and replace them with religious of other nationalities who will be devoted to spiritual ministry and will refrain from involvement in matters pertaining to civil authority. This voluntary withdrawal is a good outcome, and Root thanks Taft for helping to bring it about. He also discusses the timing and terms of the sale of the lands owned by the friars, as well as the payment of rent or damages related to properties that have been occupied by American troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-14
Elisha Johnston Babcock encloses a letter from President Harrison’s Secretary of State, John Watson Foster, to Cardinal Rampollo de Tindaro regarding William E. Curtis. The State Department has no letters on file from President Harrison to Pope Leo XIII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-07
Maria Longworth Storer apologizes for the harm she may have caused by informing Cardinal Rampolla of President Roosevelt and William H. Taft’s opinions concerning the Catholic Church and church policy in the United States. Roosevelt had previously expressed concern about a reactionary Church policy that could prove disastrous for Catholic interests and American policy. Storer supports a liberal church policy that she believes will create “honest citizens and loyal patriots.” She does not understand how her actions have harmed Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-30
While in Rome recently, Father Malone spoke with Cardinal Rampolla who expressed absolute confidence in President Roosevelt and his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-04
Archbishop Ireland presents Pope Leo XIII’s interest in the prosperity of the United States and the welfare of President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-21