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President Roosevelt finds it unpleasant to request the resignation of a government official. Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds’s actions make him undesirable in the office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts and reasoning with New Mexico Attorney General Llewellyn regarding the removal of former Governor Herbert J. Hagerman and former Secretary of New Mexico Territory James W. Raynolds from office. Roosevelt finds the actions of Raynolds and Hagerman inexplicable, and suspects that Hagerman to be the “tool of powerful corrupt interests.” Roosevelt insists that the conduct of his appointees in New Mexico Territory must be free of misconduct or the appearance of misconduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29
President Roosevelt instructs the Acting Secretary of the Interior to remove James W. Raynolds, secretary of New Mexico Territory, from office. Roosevelt asks for a recommendation for a replacement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
Ormsby McHarg’s report confirms to President Roosevelt that Acting Territorial Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds must be removed from his post. Roosevelt believes that Henry P. Bardshar, who was a Rough Rider with him in Cuba, is an honest man. Roosevelt will write to George Curry about putting Bardshar in Raynolds’s place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-25
President Roosevelt directs Acting Secretary of the Interior Woodruff and Assistant Secretary of the Interior Wilson to keep James W. Raynolds in his position as Secretary of the Territory of New Mexico until he can see New Mexico Governor George Curry in person, whom Roosevelt wishes to see as soon as possible, at Oyster Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-28
President Roosevelt understands the troubles that William H. Taft faces in selecting people to help run his campaign, and comments that it is very rare to find people who are both disinterested in advancing themselves and interested in providing efficient service. Roosevelt reflects on many of the people and appointments that he has had to deal with through his political career.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-07
While President Roosevelt acknowledges Surveyor General of New Mexico Llewellyn did not benefit from the land transactions, he was not “careful and vigilant” in following the law. Roosevelt requests Llewellyn’s resignation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-07
New Mexico Governor Curry warns William Loeb of corporate and political efforts to portray President Roosevelt’s administration and the Rough Riders negatively in the press. He recommends sending a pro-Roosevelt delegation to avoid reactionary support of Governor Charles Evans Hughes. Curry is awaiting instructions from President Roosevelt for scheduling the convention, and intends on continuing with his plan of not including federal office holders as representatives of the delegation. He adds that while David J. Leahy’s appointment as the new United States Attorney of New Mexico went smoothly, Curry is figuring out what should be done with Morgan Llewellyn, the Surveyor General of New Mexico. Curry will recommend his resignation if it is too embarrassing for President Roosevelt. He notes that Delegate William H. Andrews has introduced a statehood bill for New Mexico, and he will probably go with the committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
Acting Secretary of the Interior Wilson suggests that President Roosevelt appoint William M. Tipton to replace James W. Raynolds as Secretary of New Mexico Territory and forwards a letter of recommendation in support of Tipton.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29
Special Assistant Attorney General McHarg informs Attorney General Bonaparte of the situation in New Mexico Territory. McHarg says Governor George Curry is facing a difficult time in the administration of the territory, and McHarg will assist him in any way needed. McHarg goes on to detail examples of corruption the territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-03
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
United States Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn reports to President Roosevelt that Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg has begun his investigation in New Mexico by listening to men of bad character who are opponents of Roosevelt and his administration. Llewellyn does not object to the investigation, but urges that it be carried out in a fair and impartial manner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927
W. A. Boyd informs Senator Andrews he has learned of rumors that General Land Office Special Agent Frederick C. Dezendorf and his understudy, Oscar D. Olmstead, have been informing the press on political matters. Boyd requests Andrews speak with Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield and General Land Office Commissioner Richard Achilles Ballinger about his concerns of the federal government outsiders meddling in the affairs of the New Mexico territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-06
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman responds to President Roosevelt’s letter accepting his resignation in language that “should not be considered less forceful because of the absence of harsh language.” Hagerman says that in 1898, Congress placed restrictions on land leases in New Mexico Territory which were inappropriate to the landscape and climate of the territory, and ever since, individuals and businesses have worked to skirt these restrictions. When Hagerman became governor, he tried to get guidance from the federal government regarding these restrictions and the seemingly illegal contracts granted by his predecessor, but received none. Hagerman was left to either break deals made by his predecessor, or fulfill them if no harm would come to the territory, and the Pennsylvania Land Company deal was one such deal. Hagerman holds that the action he took was neither illegal nor improper, and refutes several specific points from Roosevelt’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
Secretary of the Interior Garfield reports to President Roosevelt regarding illegal land sales in New Mexico. Garfield states that commissioners and past governors conspired to sell more publicly-owned land than was legal. Garfield recommends that the men involved should be prosecuted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-27
Acting Secretary of the Interior Wilson sends the text of a telegram from Ormsby McHarg to President Roosevelt. McHarg says Santa Fe District Attorney Robert C. Gortner has been working against McHarg, prompting him to demand Gortner’s dismissal by Acting Governor James W. Raynolds. Wilson asks Roosevelt if he should direct Raynolds to dismiss Gortner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29