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Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about how Archie is faring at Harvard. Archie is independent minded and cannot wait to finish college and go to work. Roosevelt also describes the guests who have been visiting and trips into New York City. Roosevelt feels that President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan have horribly handled the war in Europe and the situation in Mexico.
1915-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Kermit Roosevelt and his wife Belle for their letters. Roosevelt says the doctor is looking at Quentin’s back after he dislocated two ribs on the Arizona trip last year. Archie and Quentin are eager for military camp in the summer, and Roosevelt plans to take Edith across the Canadian Pacific to the Exposition. Roosevelt says he is even more discontented with President Wilson’s administration and its response to the sinking of an American ship by the German ship Prinz Eitel Frederick. He closes by saying he is sending Edward White’s new book.
1915-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say that he will be heading to Syracuse for the trial for his libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. Edith had to go to the hospital for an operation. Roosevelt also addresses problems at the bank about which Kermit had written. He has consulted with Ted and they agree that the best Kermit can do is preserve relations with Allen and do the best work he can. Archie is visiting, staying with Ethel, and looks forward to the military encampment this summer.
1915-04-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Edith’s surgery, and she will soon return home. Roosevelt also details his trial for the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes, Jr.
1915-05-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. He wishes it were a criminal instead of civil suit because he would much prefer to go to jail than to take back what he said. Roosevelt has been staying with Horace S. Wilkinson, whom he describes at length, during the trial. Edith is at Sagamore Hill recovering from her surgery.
1915-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle that he was declared not guilty in the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. He says he will not involve himself in politics anymore. Edith and Archie bought him a horse but it was too hard to handle and he fell and broke two ribs. Roosevelt tells Kermit to add dates to his letters and says he is enclosing some letters he wants Kermit to read. Roosevelt adds that if he were president, the country would be at war with Germany. President Wilson is handling the situation terribly.
1915-05-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his upcoming trip to Louisiana. He says he will write a book with chapters on his travels to the Andes, Patagonia, Brazil, and Arizona. Roosevelt says his latest book Through the Brazilian Wilderness is getting recognition but he is unhappy that Scribner’s changed the title. He is sending Kermit South of Panama by Edward Alsworth Ross and looks forward to hearing Kermit’s thoughts on it. Roosevelt also gives his opinions on the War in Europe and President Wilson.
1915-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle about Archie and Quentin going to army camp for training. He talks about the fancy dress party he and Edith hosted. Edith is ill because of the poison ivy, and Ethel is visiting with her son. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Seth Bullock regarding Kermit in case of war.
1915-07-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say that if America enters the war against Germany, Seth Bullock will put Kermit in as captain and Ted and Archie will also become officers. Roosevelt says unless there is a change, he will not be able to support either of the political parties next year. He closes by describing his trip to the Panama-Pacific Exposition in California.
1915-08-06
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit on the planning for his trip to Africa, though he is not yet sure he can make it. Results from Massachusetts and New York have settled the Republican presidential nomination for Secretary of War Taft, and Governor Hughes’s run is over. Roosevelt says Edith enjoys riding much better since getting a new horse, and Congress is refusing to do what it should.
1908-04-11
President Roosevelt plans to take his Africa trip right after his presidency and he wants Kermit to go with him. Roosevelt cautions that Kermit must treat it as a college course and learn all he can. Roosevelt talks about riding and bird watching with Edith and Ted’s balloon ride. He closes by mentioning a three hour gallop with sixteen other people.
1908-04-23
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about his battles with Congress to get four battleships. Roosevelt says some senators are indifferent or unpatriotic. He fears war with Japan and that pushes him to build the navy. Roosevelt adds that Ted was home with a sore throat but is now better, and also says that he and Edith went riding.
1908-04-19
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, saying that he and Edith along with John Burroughs just returned from their cottage, Pine Knot. Roosevelt is in busy correspondence over the Africa trip but has no definite plans yet. He closes by saying Congress will end in an ugly fight with him.
1908-05-10
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his last spring at the White House. Roosevelt is concerned about Archie’s performance at Groton School. Roosevelt complains about Senator Robert M. La Follette filibustering, and says that Congress has not given him all the legislation he should have had. He then lists what he has been able to accomplish. Roosevelt closes by saying that he has two good maps of Africa, and he and Kermit can crystallize the plans for their trip when they next meet.
1908-05-30
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his thoughts on the upcoming Republican National Convention. He is sure they can get Secretary of War Taft nominated but Roosevelt does worry about a “stampede” for himself. He encloses letters he wrote to be read at the Convention. Roosevelt also writes about spring in Washington, D.C., his thoughts on the guns to take on the African hunting trip, and what to do with Archie’s schooling at Groton.
1908-06-06
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about the weather in Washington, D.C., and what he and Edith have been doing. Everything seems to be going well at the Republican National Convention and Taft will probably get the nomination. Roosevelt encloses letters that deal with their Africa trip.
1908-06-13
Theodore Roosevelt is relieved that Kermit Roosevelt and his wife Belle made it to Buenos Aires, Argentina, given how active the Germans have been on the ocean. Roosevelt does not understand Spain’s pro-German feelings and is sick of President Wilson’s neutrality regarding the War. Roosevelt doubts that Progressive Party will make another fight given their losses in the last election, but he understands the feelings of the electorate. Roosevelt closes by saying he has not been happier in a long time and is enjoying relaxing with Mother.
1914-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on his animosity towards Englishmen who will not fight in the war but will go watch football games. He says he has been writing about the war and strongly disapproves of President Wilson’s administration of foreign affairs. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie at Harvard, Quentin at Groton, and Ethel and her husband returning from a trip. Roosevelt hopes Belle is doing better in the heat and is enjoying his duty to be lazy and enjoy himself.
1914-12-02
William Loeb asks Rudolph Forster to repeat his previous telegram as Loeb has no cipher with him to decrypt it. Loeb also asks Forster to tell Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that President Roosevelt is well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to give him updates on members of the family and thank him for gifts he and his wife Belle sent. Roosevelt says he has received many interesting letters and he would send them to Kermit but fears they will get lost. Roosevelt discusses making a speech at the Opera House to raise money for the unemployed and notes his fondness for Grace Vanderbilt. Roosevelt adds that he has had a small bout of fever.
1915-02-08