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Theodore Roosevelt is proud of the bride and groom. He describes Ethel Roosevelt and Richard Derby’s wedding as the “nicest and most satisfying marriage.” Roosevelt sent the Tucker children two “treasures.” Ted Roosevelt stayed overnight on Saturday but Eleanor Butler Roosevelt, exhausted from the wedding and taking care of Grace Green Roosevelt, had to remain at home.
1913-04-07
Due to the weakened condition of Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s health, Theodore Roosevelt wonders if it is wise for her to return to Oyster Bay, New York, where the “paralysis plague” has already killed one young woman her age. Roosevelt provides Richard Derby with an update on Richard Derby, Jr., who is particularly enjoying Roosevelt’s “Dance of Old Man Kangaroo.”
1916-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt is proud of Richard Derby and is pleased to have Ethel Roosevelt Derby and the children at Sagamore Hill.
1917-10-04
Richard Derby’s letter was a great relief and joy for Ethel Roosevelt Derby. Ethel is feeling better and is enjoying seeing her children in the home where she grew up. Theodore Roosevelt has been having fun with the children; sledding with Richard Derby, Jr. and cuddling with Edith Roosevelt Derby. He visited the National Army camp at Chillicothe, Ohio where admirable work is being done, but the men lack weapons.
1917-12-18
Theodore Roosevelt is afraid that it will not be a happy New Year for much of the world but he is glad that his sons were equal to the “mighty days.” It has been very cold at Sagamore Hill but the children’s rooms are warm and one bathroom remains unfrozen. Roosevelt describes waking up the children in the morning, and Richard Derby Jr. helping him prepare breakfast. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt Derby are feeling better.
1918-01-01
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Richard Derby’s letter, which provided the first full information on Archibald Roosevelt’s condition. Everyone is very anxious as it appears that General Pershing has agreed to assist the Allied generals, which will place Richard, Ted Roosevelt, and Quentin Roosevelt at the front. Roosevelt is proud of their service and would not want them anywhere else. Spending time with Ethel Roosevelt Derby and the children over the winter has meant a great deal to Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
1918-04-01
Theodore Roosevelt updates Richard Derby on his family who are staying at Sagamore Hill. They are all doing well. Roosevelt can do little regarding public affairs but speaks out occasionally when something needs to be said. He feels that the Wilson administration was flanked into “reluctant, dilatory, and too often inefficient, action.” Roosevelt believes that the troops are being sent abroad haphazardly and that General Wood is being sidelined out of spite. However, America’s resources are so vast that intervention will prove decisive despite the “folly” and partisan politics which absorb the Wilson administration.
1918-06-02
Ethel Roosevelt Derby and her children will be leaving Sagamore Hill in a few days, and Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed spending time with them. Everyone enjoys receiving Richard Derby’s letters as they are the most consistent source of overseas information. Roosevelt is proud of the work of the 1st and 2nd divisions and is glad they have crossed the Rhine River. He hopes that everyone will be brought home as soon as peace is assured.
1918-12-30
Ethel Roosevelt Derby and her children are all well and will be leaving Sagamore Hill today. Richard Derby’s letters to Ethel have been “absorbingly interesting” and Theodore Roosevelt feels that he can see Richard’s life and work before his eyes. Roosevelt is pleased that the United States now has “600,000 fighting soldiers” which he is sure are first class. He has been writing and speaking occasionally; a small effort at “speeding up the war.”
1918-07-01
Archibald Roosevelt is recovering and appears well. He might be able to return to active service in the spring. Archie believes that Richard Derby takes too many chances, and at his request, Theodore Roosevelt asks Derby to avoid unnecessary risks and not to jeopardize his life. Douglas Robinson has passed away but Roosevelt’s grief has been blunted with so many young people losing their lives in the war. William Sheffield Cowles has sailed to join the Marines and may be in Derby’s division.
1918-09-12
After Quentin Roosevelt’s death, it has been a great comfort for Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to visit Ethel Roosevelt Derby and the children. Roosevelt relates an incident where Richard Derby, Jr., angled to get a new toy and he describes Edith Roosevelt Derby as a “fairy princess.” Flora Whitney will be visiting tomorrow and Quentin’s death has been very difficult for her. The Derby’s neighbors have been friendly, and Roosevelt gave them a speech in response.
1918-08-05
Everyone is well, and Theodore Roosevelt sends his best wishes to Richard Derby.
1918-12
President Roosevelt has often thought of his father and wishes the elder Theodore Roosevelt had lived to meet his grandchildren and see his son in the White House. Roosevelt notes that at the end of his term in 1905 he will be the same age his father was upon his death. Roosevelt finds that he unconsciously attempts to model himself with his children on the way his father treated him and his siblings.
1901-10-07
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear from Sarah Bancroft Leavitt. He wishes Leavitt could have been at the Orthopaedic. He always associates Leavitt with his father, mother, and aunt Anna Bulloch Gracie who had such fun together and did so much good for others.
1916-02-09
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to hear from Sarah Bancroft Leavitt. Archibald Roosevelt is recovering from his wounds and is only concerned about returning to the front. Archie was awarded the French Croix de guerre and Kermit Roosevelt received the British Military Cross. Kermit has also been transferred to the American military as a captain of artillery. Ted Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt are fighting in France. Richard Derby is serving with the 2nd Division in France.
1918-06-01
Theodore Roosevelt is grieved to learn of George Cabot Lodge’s death. His worry over the sorrow Corinne Roosevelt Robinson continues to experience because of the loss of her son causes Roosevelt to reflect on how one should approach life and handle the grief that comes with the death of a loved one. Roosevelt notes that he is “on safari” as he writes this letter and will leave East Africa for Uganda and the Nile in mid-December.
1909-10-17
Theodore Roosevelt is happy that the safari has been a success, although he is homesick and will not listen to those who tell him he should wait to travel home until after the fall elections. Roosevelt is eager to see his articles published in book form, and hopes that it will be received as well as the recent publications were.
1909-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt thanks William Sheffield Cowles and his mother, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, for the “beautiful silver cheese-scoop.” He wishes that Cowles was at Sagamore Hill to play in the old barn and swim. Quentin Roosevelt has a new toy sail boat and is swimming well.
1904-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt and his family are concerned about William Sheffield Cowles’s health and hope he is feeling better. At Kermit Roosevelt’s suggestion, Roosevelt is sending a “picture letter” which his children always enjoy. The drawings illustrate some events from Roosevelt’s day.
1905-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles’s letters and was interested to hear about his electrical and mechanical experiments. The hunting has gone well and Kermit Roosevelt is a better hunter then his father. Roosevelt has written to Cowles’s mother, Anna Roosevelt Cowles.
1910-03-19