Smith, Herbert Knox, 1869-1931

Silver cup inscribed to Robert Bacon from members of the Tennis Cabinet

Silver cup dedicated to First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon inscribed with the signatures of fellow members of the Tennis Cabinet, including President Roosevelt, Assistant United States Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley, Commissioner of Corporations James Rudolph Garfield, French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand, Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer, Lawrence O. Murray, United States Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot, Herbert Knox Smith, and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Beekman Winthrop. In addition to the signatures, the cup is inscribed with the date October 11, 1907.

Comments and Context

While president, Theodore Roosevelt’s unofficial “Tennis Cabinet” comprised an inner circle of unofficial advisors with whom Roosevelt would play tennis and discuss policy matters. Including men both from within and outside Roosevelt’s official administration, the group was influential in helping shape and carry out many of Roosevelt’s policies and reforms.

Collection

America

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt has sent the letters regarding the nomination of Walter Chadwick Noyes from Arthur Twining Hadley, president of Yale University, to Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith and Charles Hopkins Clark of the Hartford Courant. Roosevelt asks for clarification on Hadley’s statement about support for Noyes, as he has many prominent endorsements, including those of the Supreme Court Judges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Twining Hadley

President Roosevelt informs Yale University President Hadley that after consulting Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith, he thinks it best not to appoint John K. Beach as judge of the 2nd Circuit Court. While Smith agrees with Hadley that Beach is a better candidate overall, the senators do not recommend him, and it would be in poor form to act contrary to them in this matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Shaw

William Shaw’s letter gave President Roosevelt a “peculiar pleasure.” He forwarded it to Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith for his judgement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt agrees with Attorney General Bonaparte’s conclusions in the Standard Oil and Chicago Alton Railroad case. While he thinks Bonaparte’s letter to Henry Lee Higginson is admirable, Roosevelt thinks it best not to publish it and open himself to further attacks by the press. He cautions against attending the conference of attorney generals. Roosevelt suggests how to respond to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick and handle the situation in New Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt requests Attorney General Bonaparte review the matter of the investigation of the International Harvester Company with company official George W. Perkins and Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Morgan G. Bulkeley

President Roosevelt tells Senator Bulkeley that when the position of Commissioner of Corporations becomes vacant, he intends to promote the position’s deputy (Herbert Knox Smith) to the job. Roosevelt asks Bulkeley how he feels about this possibility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank B. Brandegee

President Roosevelt tells Representative Brandegee that when the position of Commissioner of Corporations becomes vacant, he intends to promote the position’s deputy (Herbert Knox Smith) to the job. Roosevelt asks Brandegee how he feels about this possibility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-08

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson, Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York, sends Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor Herbert Knox Smith’s letters about children’s rights to life preservers to William Loeb. He also sends a report of the violations of the navigation laws in the Port of New York. To prevent future occurrences, Clarkson believes all violators need to be “properly disciplined” and not treated with leniency, as has hitherto been the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on matters regarding United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, the prosecution of the International Harvester Company, and affairs in Oklahoma. He is greatly concerned about reports of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s health. Territorial Governor of New Mexico George Curry intends to appoint David J. Leahy as assistant attorney general of the territory. Bonaparte feels obligated to inform Roosevelt of this appointment as Leahy is possibly “one of the persons about whom there has been complaint by the Interior Department.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte sent President Roosevelt a draft of the telegram to United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick. Bonaparte shares his thoughts about the intentions of the press in attacking him and gives an update on the International Harvester Company trust prosecution. Additionally, Bonaparte comments on Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg and the conference of attorneys general.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about finishing a speech and making more plans for their African trip including vaccinations and rifle practice. He is struggling with Congress to get battleships, to settle the California/Japan matter, and over Congress asking for confidential information from Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-01-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit upon his return to the White House from his western hunting trip. Roosevelt played tennis with Herbert Knox Smith and presented Archie with the new dog, Skip. He adds that he had a great time in Chicago with the labor union men but he may have to send federal troops to the city.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-05-14

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Vincent

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary informs George E. Vincent that Roosevelt would consider Herbert Knox Smith perfectly acceptable as a speaker (presumably in lieu of Roosevelt). However, if Knox accepted Vincent’s invitation, he would not be speaking officially for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-24

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph W. Alsop

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary invites Joseph W. Alsop to join Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Knox Smith, Mr. Goodwin, Frank S. Butterworth, and William S. Cowles for lunch next Wednesday at Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph W. Alsop

Theodore Roosevelt informs Senator Alsop that he is working on a synopsis of the cases. He invites Alsop, Frank S. Butterworth, Herbert Knox Smith, Mr. Goodwin, and William S. Cowles to meet him at Oyster Bay. Roosevelt writes that J. Henry Roraback’s letter has the Georgia and Indiana cases.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt expresses who he wants at an event Anna Roosevelt Cowles is hosting. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph W. Alsop

Theodore Roosevelt asks Senator Alsop when he, Frank S. Butterworth, and Herbert Knox Smith can come visit Roosevelt at Oyster Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank S. Butterworth

Theodore Roosevelt invites Frank S. Butterworth, Herbert Knox Smith, and Senator Joseph W. Alsop to meet with him either at Sagamore Hill or at The Outlook office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to Kermit Roosevelt about life at Harvard. Roosevelt mentions finalizing speaking assignments, upcoming safari trip, and target practice with a Winchester rifle. He discusses difficulties with Congress, mentions appealing to California to avoid trouble, and details a showdown he had with the Senate. The Judiciary Committee had Herbert Knox Smith stand before the Senate to divulge confidential information. Roosevelt had to intervene and tell Chairman Clarence D. Clark they would not be told any information unless they impeached him. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-23