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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene Hale

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene Hale

President Roosevelt writes Senator Hale (the chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs in the Senate) looking to clarify recent comments by the president which he feels have been interpreted incorrectly. Roosevelt states that he is in favor of authorizing more than one naval ship per year, and that his recent comments on the topic were misconstrued. Roosevelt notes that he had “limited myself to asking one ship a year” believing that was Hale’s desire, but closes by noting, “Of course my desire is for that ship, and another.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt is eager for Senator Lodge to visit so they can discuss several matters. On economic matters, Roosevelt intends to do what he outlined in his acceptance letter, though he is unsure of how to deal with reciprocity and the ship subsidy. In terms of appointments, senators and congressmen shall name the men but Roosevelt will set the standard. He hopes to appoint good men in the South, regardless of race, but preferably Republicans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt is not surprised by the conclusion Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte is coming to in the Charleston navy yard matter. He offers his view regarding the work done in the Washington, D.C., navy yard, saying that while labor people are concerned with making sure work is given to the laborers there, they also demand extra rights and holidays that laborers in exterior shipbuilding yards do not get. Roosevelt feels they should act along the lines they decided on earlier in the summer and see what the result is.

Comments and Context

The “Charleston navy yard matter” refers to an incident in which Lieutenants J. W. G. Walker and Francis R. Harris were transferred out of supervisory roles in the Charleston navy yards, seemingly due to political pressure from a corporation that had been contracted to conduct government work, and which Walker and Harris had been holding to strict standards of quality. While Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte concluded the transfer was not influenced, he ultimately reversed it so as to avoid the appearance of having been pressured.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to William S. Cowles that he is not involved in those matters. Still, he will forward the application to the Bureau of Navigation with his endorsement. He enjoyed being with the fleet and learned a lot. Cowles is correct about the fleet moving compactly and swiftly. Therefore, Roosevelt will do what he can to keep it together. He agrees about the torpedo boats, but members of the Herreshoff family are difficult to work with, and the ships they build are undependable. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Davis Long

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Davis Long

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt shares with Secretary of the Navy Long that many are frantic about Francis T. Bowles being put in charge. There is a call for a court of inquiry which Roosevelt finds pointless and will not grant unless Long directs him to. He enjoyed and profited from his time with the squadron and will write a full report later. Roosevelt recently talked to John A. Howell about the Armor Board, which is a more expensive task than Congress thinks. He comments on several other matters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-10

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Metcalf informs President Roosevelt that the torpedo boat destroyers recently ordered by the Navy are not as fast as some foreign vessels, but that speed was sacrificed for other qualities deemed more important. The Board on Construction emphasized the importance of seaworthiness, sea endurance, coal efficiency, and ability to maintain speed. Metcalf warns that the high trial-trip speeds reported by other vessels are usually achieved at the expense of other vital qualities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

Mr. Roosevelt’s policies

Mr. Roosevelt’s policies

The London Times relays reports from its correspondent in America regarding various issues and events in the United States. In particular, the correspondent provides updates on political policies and legislation, as well as events that have happened in Washington, D.C., and between the United States and countries abroad, such as Venezuela and Haiti.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-30