Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is concerned about Judge Wilfley’s letter. He will discus the matter with Secretary of War Root and Representative Edwin Denby. However, Roosevelt is not in a position to say anything about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-23
Arizona Territory Justice Kent acknowledges William Loeb’s telegram stating President Roosevelt’s agreement with Kent’s decision to deny the judgeship of the United States Court for China. Kent is aware of what an honor it was to be offered the position, and regrets that he had to decline it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
Secretary of State Root informs Arizona Chief Justice Kent that President Roosevelt would like him to accept an appointment as judge of the United States Court for China at Shanghai. The court is in charge of American interests in China, and Kent would have an instrumental role in securing its prestige.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-17
Justice Kent tells Secretary of State Root that he understands the importance of the work being done by the United States Court for China, and believes that it is more important than any duty he has in the United States. However, there are “grave reasons” against his accepting the position, which he outlines in a letter that he sent for Root’s consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Arizona Territory Chief Justice Kent agonizes over whether he should accept the nomination to be Judge of the United States Court for China. He would hate to decline if President Roosevelt wants him to accept, but he is torn between his desire to serve the country and his personal obligation to take care of his mother, Abigail Ann Rockwood Kent. He welcomes Roosevelt’s opinion on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Justice Kent tells Secretary of State Root that although he had hoped to remain in Arizona and play a role as it becomes a state, he understands that the work in China is more important and that he has a duty to accept the appointment to the Court for China in Shanghai. However, he lists several “grave reasons” that he should not accept. First, he is overseeing an important case on water use in Arizona that would need to be concluded before he left. More importantly, Kent believes that his health would suffer if he went to Shanghai. He is responsible for the care of his elderly mother, and worries that if he accepts the appointment his health would decline and he would be no longer be able to support her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Judge Wilfley was surprised that a portion of a decision that he rendered has been portrayed as being anti-Catholic. He explains that the portion which people have objected to was quoted from William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, which was written at a time when there was significant hostility towards Catholics in England. If the statements were taken out of context, as they have been, it could seem that he was hostile towards Catholic clergymen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-28
Secretary of War Taft acknowledges that the United States has not always properly administered justice within its sphere of influence in China, but celebrates the creation of a United States Circuit Court for China to fix this. He praises the work of Judge Lebbeus R. Wilfley on this court, where he has combined the common law of the United States with the traditions of China to great success. Taft hopes this court will be a positive influence on the Chinese and encourage good relations between the two countries. He encourages the construction of a great building to house the court and the American consulate in Shanghai.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-08
Secretary of War Taft speaks as a traveler rather than as a government representative. He begins by explaining the relationship of the United states to the Philippines and that there will be no sale of the islands. He then outlines the policy of the United States toward China as it relates to trade, the expansion of China, and monetary reform. Taft explains that the “China for the Chinese” attitude is in favor of China’s own growth. Taft also discusses education of the Chinese in America, improvement in relations between the two powers, and the creation of a United States Circuit Court for China. For additional developments, Taft suggests the further development of the court and the establishment of a suitable government building in Shanghai.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-08
President Roosevelt wishes to appoint James Andrew Drain as district attorney of the United States Court for China.
1906-07-03
Acting Secretary of State Bacon instructs James Andrew Drain to take the oath of office and proceed to Shanghai, China.
1906-07-11