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George B. Cortelyou sends Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock communications regarding forest reserves in Oregon. President Roosevelt would like a report on the matter from the Department of the Interior.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-28
Theodore Roosevelt suggests William Beebe write to the Secretary of the Interior about lighthouse jurisdiction, and offers to write another letter if necessary. He also remarks on Beebe’s note about dark tiger beetles and later considers that lighthouses may fall under the Treasury Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
Theodore Roosevelt informs Mrs. M. S. Sargent that she is better off petitioning Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane directly, as Roosevelt is out of favor with the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-16
Theodore Roosevelt is terribly disappointed in Franklin K. Lane, but thanks Gifford Pinchot for telling him about Lane.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-16
Theodore Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Lane if he will speak to Roosevelt’s friend, Frances Kellor, about a plan she has for using the Department of Interior to facilitate the assimilation of immigrants. Roosevelt always found Kellor to be the same kind of person as Lane.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
President Roosevelt writes to Gifford Pinchot concerning Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield. Garfield has been an “invaluable public servant,” excelling in all positions to which Roosevelt appointed him. Roosevelt notes that Garfield has “sacrificed much” for the good work he has done, and it will not be easy for him to resume a profitable law practice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-24
In response to a report by Senator James A. Hemenway, President Roosevelt defends the Secret Service’s work to Senator Hale of Maine, the acting chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the U.S. Senate. Roosevelt refutes each claim made in the report and notes that the current limitations placed on the Secret Service is hindering justice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-19
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of the Interior Garfield to send him information relevant to the Aldrich resolution, which relates to the employment of special investigators, so that he may give a comprehensive report to the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
President Roosevelt informs President Van Hise of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that he has left the matter of phosphate lands in the hands of Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield. Garfield agrees with Van Hise about the matter, and is looking up the legal question of withdrawing the lands. If Roosevelt has the power to do so, he promises to withdraw the lands.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-16
President Roosevelt believes the statements made by Delevan Smith in the Indianapolis News are patently false, and that refuting them will bring them undue attention. Because William Dudley Foulke insists that a reply be made, however, Roosevelt writes to refute the charges of a scandal involved in the purchasing of the Panama Canal zone from France. Roosevelt particularly refutes the charge that the affair has not been transparent, as documents related to it have been freely available. Roosevelt has refuted other false charges leveled against his administration, but the newspapers continue to print them, so he doubts whether his denial will be effective.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt apologizes to Dr. G. L. Magruder, but he thinks it may not be possible to do as he requests during the last few months of his administration, especially as he is trying to make a shift between the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Garfield to let him know all the facts about the matter relating to the Prairie Oil Company, which are referred to in the enclosed clipping from the New York Sun.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-15
President Roosevelt encloses a statement that he dictated to William Loeb in the presence of Ethan Allen Hitchcock, former secretary of the interior, and W. Scott Smith. The statement outlines Roosevelt’s and Hitchcock’s recollections of what happened in connection with a controversy over the Indian Prairie Oil & Gas Company’s pipeline contract. Roosevelt is confident that the report which The Sun alleges outlines Roosevelt’s taking action against Hitchcock’s recommendations does not exist.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
President Roosevelt explains the difference between Commissioner Macfarland’s case and those of Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot or Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield. Roosevelt does not understand why the “gas fight” should not be kept distinct from a single-headed commission. He also disagrees with the present organization of the Department of the Interior, although he is not against Garfield.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-11
President Roosevelt thinks that Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell is “one of the most corrupt blackguards” to hold a position of power in American politics. He asks Attorney General Bonaparte if he can assign a detail to consult with the Interior Department to try to bring Haskell to justice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
President Roosevelt has seen Bishop Hare’s letter to William Loeb and thinks he should respond himself. While Roosevelt would be glad to have lunch with Hare at any time, Hare should be advised that Roosevelt does not believe he can pardon Reverend George G. Ware. Still, enough time has passed since Ware’s punishment for land fraud for Hare to bring the case to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-16
President Roosevelt notifies Attorney General Bonaparte that he has sent Secretary of War William H. Taft a memorandum requesting that the Army Corps of Engineers submit plans for dams to develop water power to Bonaparte. Roosevelt asks that Bonaparte consult with G. W. Woodruff, who is currently detailed with the Department of the Interior, on the plans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-15
President Roosevelt appoints James Buchanan Aleshire to the National Advisory Board for Fuels and Structural Materials, which will investigate the properties and best methods for using the building materials and fuels in the United States. The War Department has also been requested to transfer buildings and grounds from the Pittsburg Storage and Supply Depot to the Department of the Interior for temporary use.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-04
President Roosevelt sends James M. Ashton the text of a report from Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield regarding three suits regarding the title of tide lands near Tacoma, Washington, which have been claimed by the Puyallup tribes. Roosevelt agrees with Garfield’s assessment that all three suits should be prosecuted to a conclusion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-08
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Garfield to investigate the Department of the Interior to ensure that no work is being done on Sundays unless it is unavoidable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-25