South America

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ernest M. Pollard

President Roosevelt thanks Congressman Pollard of Nebraska for his support of the shipping subsidy bill in Congress. Roosevelt reviews his past statements on the subject, which make the case for federal support of American shipping in order for it to be competitive with that of other nations, which is heavily subsidized by national governments. Secretary of State Elihu Root’s recent trip to South America opened new opportunities for trade there, but the shipping industry needs help to compete successfully on routes to South American ports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Carnegie

President Roosevelt agrees with Andrew Carnegie that it is necessary to initiate arbitration between Japan and the United States.  However, Roosevelt doubts “any president could have done more to secure peace” than himself. Roosevelt is pleased Carnegie approves of his efforts to establish trade with South America.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

President Roosevelt believes the Richmond Item is in error for attacking Representative James E. Watson for his position on the subsidy bill. He would like to meet with William Dudley Foulke to speak about it and other matters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace G. Knowles

President Roosevelt congratulates Horace G. Knowles on his wise decision. He expects a vacancy of diplomatic post in South America and will appoint Knowles to it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jesse Overstreet

President Roosevelt thinks Jesse Overstreet’s reception suggestion is admirable but has two concerns. First, he does not know who should organize it. Second, he does not know if Secretary of State Elihu Root wants to speak offhand. Roosevelt has been “badgering” Root to share his experiences in South America, feeling it would be “a good thing for the country.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of State Root a letter of greeting and congratulations on the success of his recent trip to Central America. Roosevelt has enjoyed the rest he has had over the summer and is now beginning to work on the fall electoral campaigns. While the recent Congress has been very productive, Roosevelt fears that “the time has about come for the swinging of the pendulum,” and mentions some areas he believes the Republicans are weak. Secretary of War William H. Taft has decided to not accept a position on the Supreme Court, which may put him in the ranks of possible presidential candidates. Local New York elections for governor have shown Benjamin B. Odell as having an advantage over Governor Frank Wayland Higgins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry White

President Roosevelt is sure that Ambassador White acted correctly regarding Archbishop John M. Farley visiting him, and is pleased that White showed Archbishop John Ireland the courtesy he did. He agrees with White regarding Secretary of State Elihu Root’s trip to South America, and praises the work that Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon has done as Acting Secretary. Roosevelt further agrees that White’s brother-in-law would be a good candidate for a position and has forwarded a letter to Bacon saying as much, although he is not sure if there is any likelihood of a vacancy in the service soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Douglas Robinson

President Roosevelt thanks his brother-in-law, Douglas Robinson, for the nice letter, but tells him not to be fooled just because people are speaking nicely about him for the moment. Roosevelt predicts he may have to act to discipline a South American nation, which will cause people to turn on him and say his actions are inconsistent with those he took to help bring peace at the Portsmouth Peace Conference, even though Roosevelt sees them as acting toward the same goal. He is glad the conference was successful, even though his own feelings did not actually play a great role in it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward VII, King of Great Britain

In a typed copy of the handwritten original, President Roosevelt thanks King Edward VII for the letter and miniature of John Hamden, and sends a copy of his book, The Winning of the West, in return. Roosevelt agrees about the importance of the special relationship between the United States and Great Britain, noting that the external interests of the two are in alignment. Roosevelt believes Russia should make peace with Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Diplomatic, Consular, and Other Representatives of the United States

President Roosevelt introduces Caspar Whitney, who is making a trip to South America, to the diplomatic, consular, and other representatives of the United States and asks for them to assist Whitney.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay

Theodore Roosevelt forwards a letter from William Emlen Roosevelt regarding the Central and South American Telegraph Company. Roosevelt believes a lengthy discussion will be needed upon return to Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-27

Letter from Lloyd Carpenter Griscom to Elihu Root

Ambassador Griscom informs Secretary of State Root that Root’s visit was “of great material benefit to the political and commercial interests” that the United States has in Brazil and elsewhere in South America. For instance, a bill has been introduced to give preferential treatment to the United States with regard to tariffs, under which American goods would benefit from a 30-40% advantage over those of Germany, Italy, and France. Additionally, some state officials are pushing their employees to learn English and encouraging Brazilian students to seek American educational opportunities rather than those of Europe. To continue the positive feelings in Brazil, Griscom encourages a reciprocal tariff reduction for Brazil, a parcel-post convention between the two nations, improved speed to ship freight there, and better steamship communications.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Harding Davis

President Roosevelt shares his concerns about some of the members of the American diplomatic and consular service with Richard Harding Davis. Minister to Belgium Lawrence Townsend and Minister to Spain Arthur Sherburne Hardy are two examples of men who are the “pink-tea type,” hosting dinners instead of doing “hard work.” By contrast, Roosevelt admires Ambassador to Japan Lloyd Carpenter Griscom, Consul General to Egypt John Wallace Riddle, and Henry White. Roosevelt wants Davis to tell him about any men who are not doing their job, as the president wants to remove them when he makes changes on March 4.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis B. Loomis

President Roosevelt would like Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee, a former Rough Rider, given a position in a South American consulate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay

President Roosevelt would like to find a South American consulate or position on the Panama Canal for Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee, a former Rough Rider.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay

Letter of introduction for Edwin Emerson, newspaperman and former Rough Rider. Emerson is knowledgeable on the South American republics, including Colombia, and has information about the situation at the Isthmus.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-23

Letter from William Hamlin Childs to Theodore Roosevelt

William Hamlin Childs thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the picture and generous sentiments. Childs relays two matters to Roosevelt. The first involves a little girl who, unbeknownst to her family, sent a letter to Roosevelt to confirm that he agrees with her that a teddy bear is a doll. She was delighted to receive a letter from Roosevelt confirming her opinion and her family was astonished. The second matter is in regard to a friend’s correspondence with Charles L. Bernheimer regarding Roosevelt’s book on South America. Childs encloses the correspondence and thinks Roosevelt will find it delightful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-26

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin informs Theodore Roosevelt that John M. Harlan, a previously outspoken critic of Roosevelt, would support him if he were to run for re-election. Many other Republicans have also inquired about whether Roosevelt will seek re-election. O’Laughlin requests that Roosevelt publicly reject Secretary of State Robert Lansing’s treaty with Latin America that would include territorial integrity and prohibitions on shipments of munitions. O’Laughlin fears that this would keep the United States from acquiring any more territory in the future and would have a detrimental effect on relationship between the United States and South American countries.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-24

Letter from James Andrew Drain to Theodore Roosevelt

James Andrew Drain was pleased to read that Theodore Roosevelt will be visiting Argentina. The visit will help friendly relations between the United States and South America. Drain inquires about Roosevelt’s plans as he may be able to travel on the same ship as Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-06-19