Titles of honor and nobility

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Josiah Strong

President Roosevelt believes that the movement Josiah Strong has written to him about is “first-class,” but can not accept an honorary presidency. While Roosevelt will give what help he can once the organization is started, he does not wish to be seen as responsible for it. He suggests that Strong show the letter to former president Grover Cleveland, who may be able to assist.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Fletcher Lummis

President Roosevelt informs Charles Fletcher Lummis he cannot accept active membership in the Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute of America. He also prefers not to accept an honorary membership but will if it is useful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur von Briesen

President Roosevelt tells Arthur von Briesen he accepts the honorary vice presidency of the Legal Aid Society, as he admires von Briesen’s work so much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Walter Scott

President Roosevelt enjoyed meeting Walter Scott and other members of the New York Press Club, and accepts the honorary membership in the club with pleasure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Lamb

President Roosevelt asks Representative Lamb to express his appreciation to the Richmond YMCA Bible Class for electing him an honorary member.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Nelson Page

President Roosevelt finds the letters and the book Thomas Nelson Page sent interesting, but warns Page not to call him “Excellency” again as it makes Roosevelt feel as if he were a “fifth rate German potentate.” He prefers the title of “The President.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alvey A. Adee

President Roosevelt asks if diplomats could be prevented from calling him “Your Excellency” rather than “The President,” “Mr. President,” or “Sir.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the United States Civil Service Commission

President Theodore Roosevelt agrees with the Civil Service Commission’s reasoning and will take no further action concerning the Woman’s Relief Corps petition. Roosevelt also clarifies that his title is simply “the President” or “Mr. President;” he does not wish to be addressed as “Your Excellency.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward J. Edwards

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Edward J. Edwards of the Society of American Wars for his courtesy and the honor conferred on him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-06

Letter from Eckford C. DeKay to James M. Spencer

Eckford C. DeKay informs James M. Spencer that Governor John A. Dix accepted the request to be honorary Vice President of the Mary Todd Lincoln Memorial Association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-29

Telegram from Mark L. Megladdery to Theodore Roosevelt

The Order of Californians of Santa Cruz has elected Theodore Roosevelt an honorary member, and requests his presence at an upcoming lecture about the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-23

Letter from James E. West to Theodore Roosevelt

James E. West, Executive Secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, informs Theodore Roosevelt that he was elected honorary vice-president of the organization at its recent National Council.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-25

Imperial edict, issued November 3, 1908, issued by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager

Cixi, the Empress Dowager of China, announces that the Dalai Lama has been granted a new honorary title. The title carries new protections and compensation, but he must return home and “induce the Western Barbarians to obey the laws and practice virtue.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-03

Letter from Clifford Richardson to Theodore Roosevelt

Clifford Richardson informs President Roosevelt that members of the Associated Veterans of Farragut’s Fleet wish to make him an honorary member. Richardson asks for Roosevelt’s feelings on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-15

Letter from Kogoro Takahira to Theodore Roosevelt

Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira informs President Roosevelt of his recent appointment by Emperor Meiji to the nobility rank of “baron,” for service rendered during the Russo-Japanese War. He expresses sincere gratitude that he was stationed in Washington, D.C., at the time because of Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s letter gave Takahira great honor and pleasure. Despite current difficulties, Takahira believes the friendship between Japan and the United States is unshakeable. He sends his regards to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-10

Letter from G. Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Roosevelt

G. Alexander Hamilton sends President Roosevelt a lifetime membership certificate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur von Briesen

President Roosevelt tells Arthur von Briesen he accepts the honorary vice presidency of the Legal Aid Society, as he admires von Briesen’s work so much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-18

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

In response to a letter from President Roosevelt in which he mentions his distaste for being addressed as “your excellency” by foreign diplomats, Assistant Secretary of State Adee explains the history of the titles used by the president. Adee suggests that the habit by the foreign diplomats could be stopped by a note from Secretary of State John Hay to the dean of the diplomatic body, or by Roosevelt disclosing to individuals that he does not like the address.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-07

Freedom of the City of London conferred on Mr. Roosevelt scene in the Guildhall

Photograph showing Theodore Roosevelt in Guildhall seated next to the Lord Mayor and surrounded by the Common Council, dignitaries, and other invited guests; British and American flags hang overhead.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1910

Letter from Micajah Woods to Theodore Roosevelt

Micajah Woods informs President Roosevelt of his unanimous election by the Red-Land Club as the organization’s only honorary member. The Club’s members want to meet Roosevelt personally, although many saw him during his visit to the University of Virginia. While the members hold differing political views, they have confidence in Roosevelt’s “honest purpose to do justice to all sections.” Woods reminds Roosevelt that his wife, Matilda Minor Woods, and daughter helped host him at Monticello. He wants to take Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to Farmington, the colonial era home of his sister Margaret Lynn Wood that Thomas Jefferson planned. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-03