Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt waves a banner with “Reciprocity” written on it as the ghost of William McKinley stands in the shadows. Caption: “The banner which William McKinley raised and Theodore Roosevelt saved”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Arthur Hamilton Lee explaining his stance on friendly relations between the United States, Canada, and England. Roosevelt emphasizes the differences between his opinion and that of President Taft on the subject. Roosevelt gives Lee permission to share the letter with private individuals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-14
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary discusses Roosevelt’s views on reciprocity with P. V. Collins and states that it is not desirable to publish anything further as the subject is of little interest to the voters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Frank Harper refutes the story that Theodore Roosevelt wishes to annex Canada to the United States, which was based on a quotation about “political reasons” from a private letter to President Taft. Harper draws on speeches given by Roosevelt in Detroit, MI and New York, NY to show that Roosevelt’s reasons for supporting the reciprocity treaty between the United States and Canada was to promote good will and peace between the nations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe there will be much outcry for the arbitration treaty. Senator Root admitted that he opposed the treaty in its proposed form but wanted to ease the fall of the treaty’s supporters. Roosevelt finds it a “grim comedy” that Canada rejected the reciprocity agreement but at least now the average man can no longer claim a lack of reciprocity is America’s fault.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Arthur Hamilton Lee’s previous letter. Roosevelt guesses that Lee was pleased with how the reciprocity matter has been settled. Roosevelt compares the American and Canadian public opinion on reciprocity and discusses President William Howard Taft’s mishandling of foreign affairs. Roosevelt is interested in Lee’s opinion on the arbitration treaty. Roosevelt hopes that Lee will travel to the United States soon and wishes he was well enough to visit Lee at Scotch Lodges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-25
Theodore Roosevelt tells Chares G. Washburn that he found his letter to be interesting and that it gave him some new ideas. Roosevelt also voices his concern regarding “Canadian Reciprocity,” saying that forcing the issue at the expense of the farmers will ultimately be a detriment to the manufacturers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary replies to G. Clinton Batcheller and sends him an excerpt from a speech by Roosevelt at the Twenty-fifth Annual Lincoln Dinner of the Republican Club of New York from last February. He spoke in support of President Taft, particularly with his efforts for reciprocity with Canada and to secure the Panama Canal. Roosevelt also argued that “it should always be a cardinal point in our foreign policy to establish the cleanest and most friendly relations of equal respect and advantage with our great neighbor on the north.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-07
In a reply to Arthur Hamilton Lee, Theodore Roosevelt describes the activities and achievements of the Roosevelt family, including the impending birth of his grandchild to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Eleanor Butler Roosevelt. Roosevelt expresses relief at the end of his public speaking career and is more preoccupied by his interest in natural history than in politics, including his upcoming article, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.” Roosevelt then goes on to discuss politics, including his approval of the current British king, expresses frustration with the American people, and discusses President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt is “pleased” with what Henry White told Chief Justice White. Roosevelt is interested in White’s views on reciprocity. He is looking forward to hosting Henry White at Oyster Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt commends Lucius B. Swift’s excellent letter to President William H. Taft. One thing he most wants to avoid is mixing in purely state affairs where he can do no good. He has been supporting the reciprocity movement. While he sympathizes with the farmers, it is not enough to oppose the movement. Roosevelt agrees with Swift about the political situation in Indiana. However, New York is slightly worse. He discusses machine politics, especially as played out in the most recent election. In theory, the people of New York want Roosevelt to be involved in state politics, but in practice, it makes him suspicious.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-08
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned by Paul V. Collins’s letter. While he agrees with the increased postage rates on magazines, Roosevelt finds issues with aspects of the matter. Regarding reciprocity, Roosevelt believes in standing with the farmers and wants to know what part of the treaty the Minnesota farmers find objectionable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edmond Haggard Madison for his letter. Roosevelt discusses the position of Progressive League leaders on reciprocity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William S. Cowles on everything “from reciprocity down.” He has done everything he can in The Outlook on reciprocity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
Theodore Roosevelt thinks the White combination is sound and that Garfield will advise wisely. He agrees with Norman Hapgood about reciprocity, but does not think he will be able to avoid supporting it. Although the treaty is not perfect, it is a move in the right direction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
Theodore Roosevelt tells William Loeb that he will continue to stand up for Canadian reciprocity, although he feels uncomfortable about several parts of the treaty. He also expresses his disgust with the current state of New York politics. Voters had the chance to get rid of both Republican boss William Barnes and Democrat boss Charles Francis Murphy, but did not. He believes that Barnes’s return to power is inevitable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
Theodore Roosevelt complains about misrepresentations in the press, such as publications appearing in Hearst’s American, and including a recent conflict with Governor Baldwin and previous battles with Senator Platt. He agrees with Senator Lodge regarding Canadian reciprocity and is distressed at the many contradictions in the potential treaty. Roosevelt believes that the Lorimer case is very clear. He views Senator Lorimer’s unexpected election, corrupt past, and the bribery confessions of Illinois legislators as sufficient proof of Lorimer’s guilt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-31
Theodore Roosevelt reviewed President Taft’s letter with the editors of The Outlook. Roosevelt supports Taft’s efforts to secure free trade with Canada, even if an agreement damages the Republican Party in the short term. Letterpress original and copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-12
President Roosevelt tells Albert Shaw that his message has already been distributed to the press and contains the recommendation to admit Arizona and New Mexico as one state. He also asks who in Massachusetts is “grumpy” about his communications with Henry Melville Whitney about reciprocity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25
President Roosevelt refuses to grant another interview to Henry Melville Whitney, and says that in the letter requesting that interview Whitney once again misrepresented what he said. Whitney requested the interview to clear up alleged misrepresentations he had already made, but Roosevelt says that Whitney has used inaccurate language, misquoted him, and taken things he said out of context when he related a conversation they had nearly a year prior.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-18