Your TR Source
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles he will be in New York soon and will be able to see her. He has spoken to Swift and will be inspecting the Navy yard so he has things to speak over with Cowles’ husband William Sheffield Cowles.
1897-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt acknowledges his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles’ note and says the only thing that bothers him about his work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy is that he does not get to see Edith and the children much.
1897-05-03
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to encourage her husband, Naval Captain William Sheffield Cowles, to write him on any matter that comes up and to say he will write Will to consult him on matters. He wants Anna to visit him when he returns to Sagamore Hill and says he is enjoying his work.
1897-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes a note to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to welcome her home and thank her for the help with his article. His work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy is pleasing so far.
1897-04-30
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he is pleased and astonished to be named Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He credits Senator Lodge with fighting for him and awaits Senate confirmation. He regrets he will not be able to greet Anna when she returns home and compliments her husband William Sheffield Cowles.
1897-04-11
Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that her husband William S. Cowles has arrived in New York. Senator Lodge is “sanguine” over Roosevelt being made Assistant Secretary of the Navy, but Roosevelt does not hold much hope. He says Thomas Collier Platt and the machine politicians are his opponents.
1897-04-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about his excitement over meeting her husband William and invites them to stay at Sagamore Hill this summer. Roosevelt doubts he will be appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy and feels he will soon be legislated out of his job as Police Commissioner.
1897-03-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to criticize United States Ambassador to Great Britain Thomas F. Bayard, but says he would shine compared to Chauncey Depew. Roosevelt does not know if he will be offered the Assistant Secretaryship of the Navy but would accept if the chance arose. He would be content to stay as Police Commissioner though he has probably done all he can.
1897-02-21
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss Bishop’s judgment of Elihu Root and Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton. Roosevelt believes Bishop has been too hard on them and explains why he believes they are good men and valuable to the administration. Roosevelt gives Bishop permission to show his letter to Frederick W. Whitridge and Nicholas Murray Butler, who have expressed similar views.
1905-06-15
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about his battles with Congress to get four battleships. Roosevelt says some senators are indifferent or unpatriotic. He fears war with Japan and that pushes him to build the navy. Roosevelt adds that Ted was home with a sore throat but is now better, and also says that he and Edith went riding.
1908-04-19
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs J. Frederick Tams that he will not be able to attend an event, as he will not arrive in Oyster Bay until very late. Roosevelt also notes that only a ship built for the specific purpose would be available as a gunboat.
1897-05-28
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about the guests they have been entertaining, including poet Madison Julius Cawein and his wife. Roosevelt adds that he has read more poems by Edwin Arlington Robinson. Other visitors included Prince Louis of Battenberg and his nephew Prince Alexander, who attended a state dinner and sat next to Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte.
1905-11-06
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes to Avery De Lano Andrews that Frank Moss will join Andrews against the “precious pair of scalawags.”
1897-04-23
Theodore Roosevelt informs Colonel Paxon that he is unable to interfere with any Cabinet officer, especially one with whom he has had close relations. Roosevelt knows nothing of the situation and believes Henry L. Stimson would resent his speaking on any ground other than of personal acquaintance with the needs of the Department of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-26
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Munroe Smith for sending his pamphlet, “Military Strategy versus Diplomacy.” Roosevelt corrects Smith that he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to John Davis Long and while Long was a “high-minded, honorable man,” Roosevelt believes he was unfit to lead the Navy. For example, one of Long’s theories was to hold all warships in port until there was danger of war. After the sinking of the USS Maine, Long refused to prepare the Navy for war as he believed this would “tend to bring about war.” Roosevelt’s actual advice to William McKinley was that the Spanish government should be informed that the United States would consider the Spanish fleet being sent to American waters as a declaration of war. If the fleet were still sent, then it would be attacked on the high seas. This is different from Long’s statement but Roosevelt doubts that Long sees the distinction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
Reverence C. Fenwick Reed has written, asking for Theodore Roosevelt’s advice. Roosevelt is not sure how he can advise Reed, as he is not on good terms with the current administration. He suggests that the young man Reed wants to help should contact his local Congressman to find someone in the Navy Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-13
President Roosevelt thanks the captain and officers of the USS Patterson for the Christmas message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-29
President Roosevelt tells Mrs. Evans that he will intervene in the court-martial of her son, Lieutenant Franck Taylor Evans. Roosevelt knows Lt. Evans to be a good person and good officer, and will therefore attempt to lighten his penalty. He advises that the Evanses should not proclaim innocence, for it weakens their case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-06
President Roosevelt appoints a date for the first meeting of the Navy Reform Commission. They are to meet in the office of the Secretary of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-29
President Roosevelt appoints the date for the first meeting of the Navy Reform Commission and requests that they meet in the office of the Secretary of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-29