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Brander Matthews encloses a puzzle, noting that President Roosevelt’s daughter may want it for the family archives. He thinks that Roosevelt’s handling of the Schley-Sampson controversy “hit the nail on the head.” Matthews wishes that Roosevelt could join him for lunch on Friday in New York with, among others, Mark Twain and William Dean Howells.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-26
Admiral Wainwright has read President Roosevelt’s memorandum on the Schley-Sampson controversy and appreciates the praise for the USS Glouchester, the gunboat commanded by Wainwright during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He believes that the memorandum will be beneficial for the Navy and “must straighten out all the various opinions on the subject.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-21
Henry Loomis Nelson agrees with President Roosevelt’s statement on the Schley-Sampson controversy and hopes it settles the matter. However, he pleads with the President to strike from the statement a phrase asserting that neither Sampson nor Schley did anything to deserve a vice admiralship. Nelson fears this will only hurt Sampson and all those who support him, and will embolden their adversaries. Roosevelt’s statement is complete without this reference, and Nelson asks him to strike it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-16
James Brown Potter encloses an article from the Mexican Herald in which Potter is interviewed regarding the Sampson-Schley controversy. While visiting New Orleans, Potter was surprised how partisan Southerners were concerning Admiral Schley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-09
Lucius William Nieman has read President Roosevelt’s decision in the Sampson-Schley controversy. Roosevelt decided not to discharge Admiral Schley, which Nieman understands as condoning Schley’s actions. Neiman believes this will help clarify the issue to the public and bring everything to a close once the issue of command is decided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-11
Admiral H. C. Taylor recollects the signals and issue of command before the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-13
Rear Admiral Taylor returns the enclosed with slight corrections. Considering the “File Schley” notataion, the enclosed is likely Taylor’s statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba for use in the Schley-Sampson controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-07
Counsel for Rear Admiral Sampson request the opportunity to present evidence to the court of inquiry before a decision is rendered in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
Benjamin F. Tracy argues that the question of command was involved in the question submitted to the court of inquiry regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He also defends Admiral Dewey’s right to express an opinion on the question. Tracy believes that under the circumstances command must devolve to the next ranking officer as a fleet can never be without a commander.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-05
Rear Admiral Wainwright provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Rear Admiral H. C. Taylor provides his account of the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Rear Admiral Evans provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Evans commanded USS Iowa during the battle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
The Schley-Sampson controversy has “caused much pain and chagrin to every friend of the Navy” and Benjamin F. Tracy believes that Admiral Schley’s appeal offers an opportunity for President Roosevelt to end the controversy and give both Admirals the honor they deserve for the blockade and battle of Santiago.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-01
St. Clair McKelway describes to President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Rear Admiral Albert Smith Barker, who was very pleased with the appointment of Captain Charles E. Clark to represent the United States at King Edward’s coronation. Barker also commented on Roosevelt’s intended action regarding the Sampson-Schley controversy. Barker admires Sampson but acknowledged that it was unfortunate Schley was “the only man on whom the searchlights were turned.” McKelway asserts that while Barker is a man of broad mind, the navy needs to be saved from cliques which might prevent Roosevelt’s administration from doing what it ought.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-15
Secretary of the Navy Long encloses a letter he wrote to President McKinley on July 3, 1899, which refers to the “responsibility for waiving the delinquencies prior to the Santiago battle.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-14
The Schley-Sampson controversy has been settled by the court of inquiry and the matter should now be dropped.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12
Benjamin F. Tracy thanks President Roosevelt for the dismissal of Edgar S. Maclay after Maclay’s literary attack against Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-23
Benjamin F. Tracy defends Admiral Dewey and the judgment of the court of inquiry which was examining Admiral Schley’s conduct at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-27