Your TR Source
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt found Charles M. Harvey’s article interesting and thanks him for the kind note. He is amused by the “outburst” about him in Tennessee regarding his comments on John Sevier. Roosevelt wants to meet with Harvey and discuss his article.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-05
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt was pleased with Ramage’s reference to his view of pioneers and Indians in his article “Tennessee’s Place in History.” He appreciates Ramage’s understanding of his perspective on writing “the facts exactly as they are” to both pay tribute to frontiersmen and recognize their involvement in “gross brutality.” The recent protests against Roosevelt’s comments on John Sevier illustrate that some people will always be “unable to differentiate between hysterics and history.” He commends the Sewanee Review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt wants to see the card and protests William Robertson Garrett referred to. He is willing to make corrections if needed, but there is no room for doubt in the particular incident concerning John Sevier unless new manuscript material has been discovered. Roosevelt feels the protests come from failing to understand that “a historian is bound to tell the truth.” He suggests Garrett refer to B. James Ramage’s recent article “Tennessee’s Place in History” and show it to Hoss.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks John McCormick Lea for the letter from William Robertson Garrett. He thinks the protest against his comments on John Sevier comes from the belief that historians should not “tell the truth about certain favorite heroes.” Roosevelt considers this perspective a disservice. He wishes there was a better chance of him visiting Tennessee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Sylvester Chamberlain for his kind words. He is uncertain if the Weather Bureau has published the map of the overflowed districts in Mississippi and Tennessee but will look into the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-19
Richard S. Edwards asks Theodore Roosevelt for information on fortifying the recall of judges in preparation for an academic debate. He and his family, who live in Tennessee, greatly admire Roosevelt and are strong Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-27
Ralph D. Harbison writes to Theodore Roosevelt confident that if Roosevelt receives the Republican nomination, that he will easily carry Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Harbison travels to those states regularly and talked to many people there who said they would vote for Roosevelt if he earns the nomination. President Taft is clueless as to the sentiment of the people and his friends are not brave enough to tell him. Harbison will write to Roosevelt on March 5, 1913, reminding him of when he predicted his victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-13
W. J. Oliver assures Theodore Roosevelt that his friends believe in him and are quietly supporting him because they know Roosevelt will cooperate at the proper time. The Tennessee National Committeeman will be Monroe C. Monday. Oliver hears from the south and west that support for Roosevelt will be forthcoming and the funds for a proper campaign will be available.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12
D. A. Nunn tells Theodore Roosevelt that the Republican Party in Tennessee is enthusiastic for his nomination. President William H. Taft will not win if he is nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-23
Thomas T. Wright expresses to Oscar W. Underwood that the U.S. needs more American ships in foreign trade and urges Congress to pass a ship subsidy bill to support the merchant marine and boost the southern economy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
William H. Shippen, a lumber manufacturer, describes how his dispute over harmful fumes released by Tennessee copper smelters turned into a United States Supreme Court case and, ultimately, what he calls, “one of the greatest pieces of practical conservation.” He argues that the precedent set in the court case should be applied nationally.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08
Tomorrow J. M. Dickinson will be replaced by Henry L. Stimson, then Dickinson will retire to Tennessee. He would like Theodore Roosevelt to know that he has no ill will against the government or the president. He has also enclosed for Roosevelt a dissertation by his friend, Caruthers Ewing, about hookworms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-21
Samuel H. Thompson sends Theodore Roosevelt an autographed copy of his book The Highlanders of the South. He greatly admires Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-13
The Joint Committee of the Tennessee General Assembly sends Theodore Roosevelt a joint resolution inviting him to address the Assembly at a time of his choosing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Grosvenor Dawe informs Theodore Roosevelt that six other governors are heading representative committees at the Southern Commercial Congress, with more expected. The Congress “typifies a new union of the South along the constructive lines of commerce and business” compared to the unity of fifty years ago during the Civil War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-16
John Allison has been receiving treatment for an abscess in his ear, but is beginning to do better. He praises Theodore Roosevelt’s open letter to Chairman Clapp. Allison looks forward to seeing Roosevelt when he travels to Tennessee in the near future, and suggests State Senator John Houk as a candidate to introduce Roosevelt at Knoxville, Tennessee, noting that he “has been a ‘wheelhorse’ for Roosevelt in Tennessee.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-05
John Allison describes his military career to President Roosevelt and concludes that he cannot accept the Vicksburg Park Commission, as he did not serve there. However, he would like to be appointed to a commission he can legally accept. Allison also offers his view on how Secretary of War William H. Taft might unite the Tennessee Republican Party after he secures the nomination for president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-05
John Callan O’Laughlin provides President Roosevelt an overview of his impressions of the political mood of the country. O’Laughlin has concluded that Secretary of War William H. Taft will receive the Republican nomination for president, and recounts the various states that he believes will go for Taft, as well as the political figures who he believes should be watched or contacted in the various states. There is still substantial popular support for Roosevelt in the country, and O’Laughlin believes that if Roosevelt were to run he would win. Roosevelt’s action in ordering an investigation of the wage scale of railroad employees is very popular. Taft draws much of his strength comes from his connection to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-24
Representative Hale of Tennessee writes to President Roosevelt with information in the interest of building a respectable Republican party in Tennessee. Hale says that Tennessee has been corrupt for 15 years, but under Roosevelt the state organization has been cleaned up. He hopes this will continue under the administration of Secretary of War William H. Taft, Roosevelt’s likely successor. Hale worries about slanderous claims about his nomination and corruption in the Southern faction of the party. He feels he has given up much for the good of the party, and hopes Roosevelt will not believe the charges against him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-17
A letter to the editor laments the state of the Republican Party in Tennessee, which the writer considers too corrupt and factionalized to warrant loyalty from voters. If the Party were to focus on its principles it would be more electorally successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-30