Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Reverend William Way that there are no tigers in any part of Africa, but the leopard is sometimes called the “tiger,” similar to how the jaguar in South America is sometimes called a “tiger.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt is delighted that W. S. Rainsford likes what he wrote about Mexico and hopes that he also likes what he wrote about the European war. Roosevelt describes himself as a “sane radical,” suggesting that radicalism should be moderated or else it has the potential to be “very dangerous.” Roosevelt would like Rainsford to come to Oyster Bay so he can tell him about South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-12
Theodore Roosevelt asks Spanish Ambassador Don Juan Riaño y Gayangos if he will pass on a book Roosevelt wrote about hunting in South America to the Duke of Alba, Jacobo Stuart Fitz-James y Falcó. “Alva,” as Roosevelt refers to him, stood in Kermit Roosevelt’s recent wedding to Belle Wyatt Willard in Madrid, where the elder Roosevelt enjoyed the company of King Alfonso III and Queen Victoria of Spain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt was interested in Dorsey William Hyde’s letter about South American archeology.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his pleasure to Belle Roosevelt at hosting her and Kermit. He hopes that they have reached South America, as sea travel is dangerous because of the First World War. Roosevelt does not know what outcome will be reached but is increasingly impatient with the attitude toward the war of the United States government. He believes the Progressive Party to be at an end and his own chances in his libel suit to be small on account of the electoral victory of Republicans connected to the party machine. In addition to these opinions, Theodore Roosevelt sends Belle news of his other children.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt offers to write a letter of introduction for John M. Thompson’s son to the bankers of the South American bank that employs Kermit Roosevelt. However, Roosevelt did not communicate with the bank when Kermit applied and the bankers are politically opposed to Roosevelt. He fears a letter would do more damage then good.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Leo E. Miller expressing his pleasure at having a Saki monkey named after him. Roosevelt is also pleased that many specimens have been added to the mammal collection at the American Museum of Natural History and that Miller intends to have his stories published in a short volume.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt thanks L. T. Rowe for the letter and is impressed with the work that Rowe is doing in South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-05
Theodore Roosevelt reports that the tapirs he saw in South America swam across streams and took dives. He concedes that Central American tapirs may act differently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-09-17
Theodore Roosevelt informs Anthony Fiala that a certain type of medical equipment was used during his trip to South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-02
President Roosevelt details the numerous accomplishments of Secretary of State Elihu Root to Andrew Carnegie. Roosevelt makes clear that while the successes occurred during his administration, the credit for State Department efforts firmly belongs to Root, especially as they relate to world peace. Roosevelt is unable to give a speech in Norway, as the request came after he accepted three speaking engagements in Europe and rejected all others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-26
President Roosevelt’s understanding with Secretary of State Root is that Horace G. Knowles is to be transferred to a vacant South American ministership with the understanding that he will hold it until March 4, 1909. Roosevelt directs the Department of State to make out Knowles’s nomination for this transfer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-17
President Roosevelt explains that the position Charles H. Sherrill asks about has been pledged to Huntington Wilson. Any vacancy that opens in the next four months is likely to be in Central or South America. Roosevelt has written to William H. Taft about the matter and will do so again after the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-27
President Roosevelt asks his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, to inform Justine Bayard Ward that he never said he approved of Cabot Ward for a position on the Philippine Commission, and he did not ask William H. Taft to appoint him. Cabot Ward does not have the experience to warrant putting him on the commission, and seats on the commission are not positions for which someone can apply. At present there are not many opportunities for a position in South America, but Roosevelt thinks that is something for which Ward could apply. Roosevelt mentions that the biography of him by Francis E. Leupp seems to him the best of its kind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-09
President Roosevelt thanks German Emperor William II for his work in fostering friendship between Germany and the United States. He regrets that the situation regarding his nomination of David Jayne Hill as the new Ambassador to Germany was made public, and explains that if he had been told privately that the Emperor wanted a different man, he would have nominated someone else. Roosevelt also provides an update on the progress of the American fleet’s tour of South America, and says that its target practice off the Mexican coast went well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-04
President Roosevelt has recently received a copy of Arthur James Balfour’s book Decadence through Viscount Arthur Hamilton Lee, and he writes to thank Balfour for it and offer his thoughts. Roosevelt believes that Balfour is essentially right about there being something that can lead to the downfall of nations, races, and so forth, and also that it is difficult to properly explain it. He discusses many examples, including that of Spain, the Roman Empire, and South America, and how he sees them fitting in to Balfour’s theories.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05
President Roosevelt is interested in hearing about L. S. Prouty’s trip to South America and his thoughts on relations there. He believes it is important to form personal intercontinental networks, as knowledge dispels prejudice. The American universities are well equipped to tackle “distinctly American” problems through cooperation, with the greater aim of bringing together all people of the Western Hemisphere.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-31
President Roosevelt tells Senator Beveridge that there seems to be a general sentiment against Beveridge’s child labor law. Roosevelt also comments on the possibility of finding a position for Spencer F. Eddy. The latter will depend on whether there are other people in the service who deserve it more. If Roosevelt does find a place for Eddy, it will likely be in South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
President Roosevelt would like Acting Secretary of State Bacon to meet with Fathers Kelly and Callahan, who have just returned from a trip to South America. Kelly and Callahan have reports about the ministers, ambassadors, and consuls in various countries. Although the ministers are respected, they believe the consuls are “a poor lot,” except for Consul George E. Anderson of Brazil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-29
President Roosevelt assures David E. Thompson, United States Ambassador to Mexico, that he “took exactly the right course.” Roosevelt’s message to President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz was unofficial and informal. Roosevelt does want Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina working together “to secure the peaceful and orderly development of the less fortunate tropical American countries,” but this is not ready for formal negotiation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-12