South Carolina--Charleston

Condition and prospects of the sea islands

Editorial written by Francis Warrington Dawson and published April 22, 1880 in the Charleston News and Courier has been copied. Dawson writes of the conditions on the sea islands of South Carolina as planters have been working to restore the lands. The people of the sea islands reportedly live peacefully and prosperously together, despite Freed people outnumbering White farmers. Dawson states that the “Southern problem” has been solved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1880-04-22

Creator(s)

Dawson, Francis Warrington, 1840-1889

Excerpt from a biography of Francis Warrington Dawson

This excerpt from a biography of Captain Francis Warrington Dawson published in pamphlet form in 1877 focuses on Dawson’s actions during the municipal elections in Charleston, South Carolina in 1868. Dawson’s attempt to unite with African American men and put them on the ticket failed. He was able to bring Democrats and African American men together for the first political meeting between the two groups. Dawson had great concern for the welfare and prosperity of the freed persons at the time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-07

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Christopher Columbus Shayne

President Roosevelt informs Christopher Columbus Shayne that he will not attend the Amen Club dinner. Roosevelt comments on the speech he will give at the Charleston Exposition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Colored men appointed to or continued in office by President Roosevelt

A list of all men of color appointed to or continued in office by President Roosevelt, complete with the office and date.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

Hoist by his own pitchfork

Cartoon depicts Senator Benjamin R. Tillman being hoisted by a pitchfork as a sign behind him says the reception of President Roosevelt in Charleston, South Carolina, has been enthusiastic. Caption: In view of Senator Tillman’s public statements regarding President Roosevelt’s reception should he visit South Carolina it looks this way.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-11

Creator(s)

Barritt, Leon, 1851-1938

Great sword presentation today

Two gangster-type characters both labeled Tillman try to see through a hole in the fence to where President Roosevelt is speaking in Charleston, South Carolina, to enthusiastic cheers including “Theodore what a beautiful sword.” One carries a small “Tillman sword,” while the other carries a pitchfork labeled “our honor.” Caption — Scrappy: “Can you see him, Mugsey?” Mugsey: “Naw, I can’t see him but I can hear ’em, all right!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-10

Creator(s)

Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949

President Roosevelt’s arrival– walking from train through Chicora Park to the Steamer “Algonquin,” Charleston, S.C.

President Roosevelt walking through a park.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-05-20

Creator(s)

Underwood & Underwood

“To North and South the Great War’s memories are priceless heritages of honor”–Prest. Roosevelt, Exposition, Charleston, S. C.

President Roosevelt standing on a flag-draped platform, addressing an audience.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-05-21

Creator(s)

Underwood & Underwood

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Adger Smyth

President Roosevelt defends his appointments of African Americans, particularly the appointment of Dr. William Demos Crum as collector of customs in Charleston, South Carolina. Roosevelt will look into charges that Crum is unfit for the appointment but he will not reject Crum, or anyone else, on the basis of skin color. He denies that “negro domination” enters into the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from William Loeb to Leslie M. Shaw

At the direction of President Roosevelt, William Loeb encloses a memorandum of recess appointment of William D. Crum as Collector of Customs at Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-07

Creator(s)

Loeb, William, 1866-1937

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Owen Wister

President Roosevelt writes to Owen Wister about a letter Roosevelt received from Judge J. M. Dickinson. Dickinson suggested that while the race question may never be settled, he believes that Roosevelt has helped quiet it for a time. Roosevelt believes that this is a common view in the South. He asserts that while many problems still remain in race relations and universal suffrage, the current situation has improved upon the past.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Owen Wister

President Roosevelt had recently finished Owen Wister’s book Lady Baltimore, and sends Wister his thoughts and criticisms of the work. While he enjoyed the story, Roosevelt believes the book is unfairly critical of northerners and uncritical of southerners. Similarly, Roosevelt points out that while the book lauds the past at the expense of the present, there are many examples of violence, brutality, greed, and other vices in the past. Roosevelt also remarks on the status of African-Americans, and while he agrees with Wister in certain regards, believes the work has gone too far in the racist stereotypes. He hopes that Wister will be able to visit him soon. In a postscript, Roosevelt mentions a number of other books he has read or is reading that similarly make readers “feel that there is no use of trying to reform anything because everything is so rotten that the whole social structure should either be let alone or destroyed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt confirms receipt of Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte’s letter in regards to the difficulties at the Charleston navy yard, and approves of the action he has taken.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox

President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Knox to begin an investigation into why William Demos Crum has not been paid his salary for his service as collector of the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Demos Crum

President Roosevelt instructs William Demos Crum to administer his office with “probity and efficiency” so that no cause of complaint can be found.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John G. Capers

After speaking with Postmaster General Henry C. Payne, President Roosevelt does not believe that Mr. Clayton should be appointed. Roosevelt also considers various appointments in Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Susan Bullitt Dixon

President Roosevelt mostly agrees with what Susan Bullitt Dixon says regarding Patrick Henry and encloses a letter he is writing to a prominent citizen of Charleston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Adger Smyth

President Roosevelt defends his policy of appointing African Americans in states where “their numbers warranted it,” and in situations where prospective African American appointees are competent and reputable. In particular, Roosevelt defends the appointment of William Crum in Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. Goodwyn Rhett

President Roosevelt denies that he agreed to prevent the appointment of African Americans to office when objections are raised over their color. Roosevelt has appointed several African Americans to positions in southern states and will not make an exception for South Carolina. There have been no charges of “unfitness” against William Demos Crum, and his appointment will go forward since his only offense against white southerners appears to be the color of his skin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919