Your TR Source
President Roosevelt agrees with Herman Speck von Sternburg’s positions on mounted infantry. He believes cavalry forces should constitute a larger portion of standing armies and that modern cavalry troops must posses far greater skill than “the old-style cavalryman.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-09
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State John Hay to ensure the enclosed $200 is delivered to Mrs. Sarah Viljoen Snyman. He is concerned she is in dire poverty after hearing of her living condition from Commandant Wilhelm Snyman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-29
President Roosevelt would like to discuss the Goldwin Smith letters with Paul Dana. Smith’s suggested solution for the war seems good but Roosevelt doubts it could be carried out. He invites Dana and Mary Duncan Butler Dana to spend a night at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-27
Vice President Roosevelt wants to meet the “Spokane brother-in-law” when he arrives. Roosevelt supports the Isthmian Canal and has done so publicly. He had a good time in Vermont with Stewart’s father even though their time was cut short by the attempted assassination of President McKinley. Roosevelt is confident McKinley will recover.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-07
Governor Roosevelt very much liked Frederick Courteney Selous’s book, though he was saddened to read of the loss of elk and deer in the forests. Roosevelt hopes that peace comes to South Africa soon and the races can amalgamate as they have in the United States. Although Roosevelt finds the office of Vice President to be “distasteful,” he was glad to have done his part against a “dangerous and unAmerican party movement.” Roosevelt hopes to hunt somewhere in the Southwest prior to the inauguration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1900-11-23
President McKinley writes to accept the Republican Party’s nomination for President and accepts the platform. He discusses his desire to uphold the gold standard and refutes the opinions of those who support the silver standard. He also comments on international affairs, including the territorial government in Alaska and Hawaii, war loans from the Spanish American War, neutrality policies in the Boer War, law and order in Cuba, and holdings in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. He also comments on domestic issues including civil service reform, the volume of United States currency, and domestic shipping. Finally, McKinley comments on insurrection and peace treaties in the Philippines, asserting his desire for peace and that no person be “deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1900-09-10
Herbert W. Ladd informs Theodore Roosevelt about his daughter Elizabeth B. Ladd’s upcoming trip to Entebbe, Uganda, where she will marry Dr. Robert E. McConnell. Ladd requests Roosevelt’s advice, aid, or introductions to assist her during her journey and after her arrival in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Sir Cecil Spring Rice writes a friendly letter to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on a variety of topics. He understands what is happening, and says there is a similar movement in England. Spring Rice talks about the effects of an increased tariff at the end of the Boer War, and how it affected the national character of England. Common people suffered while businesses took advantage of things, similar to the situation in America. He believes that President Roosevelt may have greater moral force to provide an example of how to live once he leaves office, as his authority will be within his own character and not the office then. Spring Rice has been skiing recently, and has enjoyed his time and the people he has met. He wishes he could visit the United States, but does not think he will be able to soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-16
General Barry notifies British Colonel Lee that he has sent the annual report, and he will send the Army Register as soon as it is available. In regard to the issuance of the Spanish Campaign Badge to foreign military attachés, the general staff have not yet been able to work out whether it will be possible, but Barry will notify Lee as soon as they decide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-04
Frederick Courteney Selous hopes that President Roosevelt received the copy of Colonel Swayne’s Through the Highlands of Siberia which Selous sent to him. Selous is also sending Roosevelt two issues of The Wide World Magazine, with accounts of the Tsavo man-eating lions written by Colonel J. H. Patterson, and several articles written by Selous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-29
Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt about the events that will later be called the Moroccan Crisis (1904-1906), which worsened German relations with France and England. At the request of Roosevelt, Taft met separately with the German and British Ambassadors to try to deescalate tensions so that a misunderstanding would not lead to increased hostility. Taft writes also of the Loomis-Bowen affair and of a Japanese minister who spoke of negotiating a peace for the Russo-Japanese War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-26
Nicholas Williams McIvor forwards a memo sent to Baron Kaneko regarding permission to erect a trust in Japan. McIvor goes on to discuss world politics at length.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-12
Viljoen encloses a photograph of himself and thanks Roosevelt for “the kind reception.” He also extends “kind remembrances” to Edith and Alice Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-03
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Austria-Hungary Bellamy Storer informs President Roosevelt of a recent visit by King of the Belgians Léopold II. Storer discusses tensions in the Congo between the British and Belgian governments and European colonization in the Congo, referencing editorials in The Times, the Treaty of Berlin, the French explorer Pierre Savorgnon de Brazza, and rumors of Belgian atrocities in Congo, using Belgian explorer Henry M. Stanley as an exemplar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-22
Earl Grey is traveling across southern Africa and finds that tensions remain strained between Briton and Boer, especially in Cape Colony. He mentions that Dr. Parkin will be visiting the U.S. in regard to the new Rhodes Scholarships. He also requests President Roosevelt’s support for the American Episcopal Methodist Mission in Rhodesia. The mission has received a large land donation from Cecil Rhodes and is sending a young American back to the United States to examine the latest tobacco growing techniques and processes. As a postscript, Grey mentions that he found Dr. Jameson reading Roosevelt’s The Strenuous Life in preparation for a speech. Original and typed copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-24
Secretary of State Hay has had a difficult meeting with Senator Hale and believes that Hale longs for war with England because God will judge them for their dealings with the Boers. Hale is generally opposed to war. Senators Frye, Foraker, and Beveridge were more calm in their discussions with Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-14
Montagu White wishes President Roosevelt a quick recovery from his accident and congratulates him on the settlement of the Anthracite Coal Strike. White’s main concern is the aftermath of the South African War and the difficulties faced by the Afrikaners under the peace settlement. He hopes that President Roosevelt can help mitigate the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-18
Montagu White sent autographs of the Boer generals for Kermit Roosevelt and congratulated President Roosevelt on mediating the Anthracite Coal Strike. He requests that Roosevelt speak out regarding conditions in the Transvaal which is attempting to recover after the South African War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-18
Charles Fletcher Lummis reflects on several topics in his column, “In the lion’s den.” Fletcher suggests that yellow journalism played a role in William McKinley’s assassination and praises the American people’s reaction to the assassination. Lummis is also thankful that President Roosevelt was there to lead the country after the tragedy. He concludes by suggesting American intervention in the South African War and thanking his readers for aiding the Mission Indians of Southern California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10