Your TR Source
Arthur Hamilton Lee thanks President Roosevelt for writing concerning his appointment as Civil Lord of the Admiralty for the Royal Navy. Lee discusses the resolution of the Alaskan boundary dispute, Joseph Chamberlain and the Tariff Reform movement, recently appointed Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand, and protectionism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-22
Edgar A. Spencer responds to President Roosevelt’s letter that discussed legal matters involving United States Congressman from New York, Lucius N. Littauer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-10
Edgar A. Spencer discusses the case of Lucius Nathan Littauer, United States Congressman from New York, admonishing governmental actions and the Roosevelt administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-31
New York Police Commissioner F. V. Green discusses Tammany victory in the New York City elections. Green supports Governor Odell in opposition of Senator Platt, relaying Odell’s wish to break up corruption in the Republican Party and Tammany Hall, and recommends “purification of the Republican Party” by removing Platt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
President Roosevelt explains to Edgar A. Spencer, that his opinion regarding the Littauer case is based on a misunderstanding of Attorney General Knox’s evaluation of the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-04
Henry Cabot Lodge sends President Roosevelt a positive report regarding the outcome of a recent tribunal. Lodge relays that he will make a speech before arriving in Washington and writes a positive review of Mr. Turner’s performance, to which Mr. Root agrees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-28
Secretary of State Hay sends President Roosevelt a typed extract from a letter written by First Secretary of the London Embassy, Henry White. Hay also sends comments made by Joseph Hodges Choate regarding negotiations to reconcile the Alaskan border dispute between Canada, the United States, and Russia. Choate and White praise work done by United States Commissioners Henry Cabot Lodge, George Turner, and Elihu Root, and the conduct of Lord Alverstone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-29
Secretary of War Elihu Root has urged Governor General of the Philippines Taft to be available to become Secretary of War in January. Taft would prefer to stay in the Philippines until March but will follow President Roosevelt’s guidance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-11
Merritt O. Chance encloses a letter from Secretary of War Elihu Root for President Roosevelt’s attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-15
Justice Spring believes that President Roosevelt’s nomination and election are assured but he believes it is important for New York to be in the “Republican column.” If the New York election is about national issues, Spring is confident of a Republican victory. If state issues are prominent, the election is much more uncertain. The best national issues candidate for governor is Secretary of War Elihu Root and the best state issues candidate is Lieutenant Governor Frank Wayland Higgins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-15
Governor Taft reviews recent events in the Philippines, including negotiations over the acquisition of the friars’ lands, difficulties with merchants, the construction of an electric trolley railway, and a survey for a new Manila water supply. General Wood has taken hold of Moro Province with “vim and vigor.” Robert Taft has returned to the United States for preparatory school, and Helen Herron Taft is not ill but needs “building up of her nerves.” Taft has been horseback riding for exercise and hopes to continue this activity when he returns to Washington, D.C. He would like an exception made so his horse can accompany him back to the states.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-22
Senator Lodge compliments President Roosevelt on his Syracuse speech and supports his course of action in the Miller case. Lodge provides on update on the proceedings of the Alaska Boundary Tribunal and believes that Lord Alverstone will generally settle in favor of the United States. He requests that Roosevelt cable if he does not approve of any aspect of their course of action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-24
President Roosevelt’s letters sounded “very blue” but Senator Lodge is confident that recent political issues will blow over and that Roosevelt’s popularity remains high. He is confident that Roosevelt can be elected president in 1904. Lodge believes that the Alaska Boundary Tribunal will have a favorable result. He regrets that he could not be present to assist Roosevelt with his recent troubles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29
Justice McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is surprised by the rumors that he has been “antagonizing the Commissioners,” so he explains to President Roosevelt his interactions with Governor William H. Taft and General James Francis Smith. McDonough discusses the conflict between the Catholic friars and the government and expresses regret that the friars wish only to deal with Taft and not Smith, the latter of whom has been described harshly by Filipino Catholics. For his own part, McDonough has been reticent to denounce the friars because he sees their potential to preach peace, lawfulness, and loyalty to the United States and because he upholds freedom of religion in the Philippines. He also sees the sale of the friars’ lands as “purely a church question.” These privately expressed opinions aside, McDonough assures Roosevelt that he has been careful with his words and has not opposed Taft, Smith, or Vice Governor Wright in any way. He also quells a rumor that he has sought a seat of his own on the commission, expressing his desire merely to “serve this court with credit” before returning to Albany. He closes with a postscript requesting financial and transportation assistance for him and his family to return home when his term in the Philippines is over.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-14
Henry White spoke with Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour and Balfour expects his new cabinet to be excellent. White encloses Balfour’s famous Economic Notes on Insular Free Trade. The Alaska Tribunal is going well and a satisfactory decision appears to be on the way. Even Senator Lodge, who was previously doubtful of a decision, is hopeful. White and Ambassador Joseph Hodges Choate have provided letters of introduction to General Ian Hamilton, Baron Ribblesdale, and John Poynder. Original and typewritten copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-19
Lyman Abbott writes to President Roosevelt regarding the enclosed proof of an editorial to appear in The Outlook. Abbott believes Roosevelt, Secretary of War Root, and Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock could influence Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-05
The writer criticizes President Roosevelt and Elihu Root for not officially praising General Nelson Appleton Miles upon his retirement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08
Wendell W. Mischler writes about a personal letter from President Roosevelt to the Secretary of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-26
With news of the Bogota Congress rejecting the Panama Canal Treaty, Secretary of State Hay considers other options and recommends consultation with key Senators and with Secretary of War Elihu Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-16
Anna Roosevelt Cowles conveys information about Cabinet appointments given to her by Mr. Reid who believes that President Roosevelt should minimize his intimacy with Leonard Wood. Reid also thinks Roosevelt’s letter on lynching was a “masterpiece.” The Mintos also send messages to Roosevelt. Cowles enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild and asks Roosevelt if he has read it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17