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Robert Watchorn thanks President Roosevelt for elevating him to the position of Commissioner of Ellis Island’s immigration inspection station. Watchorn recounts how he came to work at Ellis Island as an inspector, and reflects on how he has made himself useful thus far in bringing about reform, and the importance of the position to which he is now appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-21
Commissioner Williams asks President Roosevelt to provide the press with his resignation letter and Roosevelt’s response. Williams would like it timed so the news will appear in the Monday morning papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-09
When it was announced that President Roosevelt would create a committee to investigate the conditions at Ellis Island, the author was convinced that there would be no results to show for Roosevelt’s efforts. However, after seeing initial evidence from witnesses after they testified, the author reverses his opinion on the effectiveness of Roosevelt’s committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903
President Roosevelt introduces Duncan Clinch Heyward, former Governor of South Carolina, who will travel to Europe to commence business with the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. Heyward hopes to establish steamship services between Bremen and Charleston and other European ports in order to increase immigration to the Southern states, which Roosevelt fully supports.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt wants to know if James Bronson Reynolds would like Frances Kellor, immigration informant to Roosevelt’s Cabinet, to join him and discuss the matter in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-12
President Roosevelt writes confidentially to Gifford Pinchot concerning the resignation of William Williams as Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island. Although Roosevelt believes that Williams has done invaluable work, he has difficulty working and socializing with men of lower social standing and has been unable to get along with his assistant Joe Murray. Roosevelt offered to transfer Murray, but Williams would only accept Mr. Robinson as his replacement; a situation which Commissioner General Frank P. Sargent deemed to be unacceptable. Roosevelt has offered the position of Commissioner to Robert Watchorn and provides a copy of the letter sent to Watchorn apprising him of the whole affair.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-19
President Roosevelt sends the report from the Commission tasked with investigating the conditions of Ellis Island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-16
President Roosevelt would be pleased to have dinner with the Ellis Island Commission and to have Arthur von Briesen meet Commissioner of Immigration for the Port of New York William Williams, Commissioner General of Immigration Frank P. Sargent, Secretary of Commerce and Labor George B. Cortelyou, and Commissioner of Corporations James Rudolph Garfield.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-05
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Arthur von Briesen who would like a delay so that he can finish his report on immigration matters on Ellis Island in time for Roosevelt’s annual message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-31
President Roosevelt is amused with the photograph and eagerly awaits the results of Arthur von Briesen’s Ellis Island investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-20
President Roosevelt is interested in Dr. Lee K. Frankel’s work at Ellis Island and would like to speak with him after the completion of the investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-08
President Roosevelt would like to have the report before Congress is in session. Roosevelt asks Eugene Philbin to communicate with Emil von Schleinitz, who has facts on the Ellis Island matter. Schleinitz is naturally favorable to German immigration and President Roosevelt wants to “leave the door open” to people who will make good citizens no matter their race or creed. However, Roosevelt also favors excluding immigrants who are “physically, mentally, or morally unfit to be a good citizen.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-01
President Roosevelt encloses a letter and was glad to see Arthur von Briesen the other day at Ellis Island. Roosevelt is not surprised that Mr. Williams is irritated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-18
President Roosevelt knows little about the Delaware post office matter. Roosevelt appreciated Joseph Bucklin Bishop’s editorial on his Labor Day speech, and invites Bishop to come to Ellis Island and to dine with him that evening.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-09
President Roosevelt has received several complaints from prominent members of the Jewish community on the manner of deportation of aliens from Ellis Island. Roosevelt supports the need for deportation but stresses the need to avoid “unnecessary harshness” and prevent discrimination against immigrants of a particular race or creed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-23
President Roosevelt supports William Williams and believes that he can clean up the management of Ellis Island. Roosevelt also disregards reports of discrimination against Irish immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-23
President Roosevelt would like a full statement from William Williams regarding the “dishonesty and malpractice of the various present holders.” Roosevelt is likely referring to the employees of Ellis Island where Williams is Commissioner of Immigration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-23
Chauncey E. Hackett shares with Theodore Roosevelt that he has received orders to travel to Winnipeg, Canada, which he has protested but has been met with leave of absence without pay for an indefinite period. Hackett lists to Roosevelt his reasons for not being able to go and hopes he can offer his help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-22
Reverend Henry I. Nicholas writes to Theodore Roosevelt on behalf of some of his parishioners. The brother and niece of one of his parishioners recently immigrated from Scotland, but were wrongfully held at Ellis Island for an extended period of time, causing them to incur significant debts, which the brother is slowly paying off with his wages as an iron and steel worker. As it was the government’s fault, Nicholas solicits Theodore Roosevelt’s opinion on whether the government should pay the costs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-25
Walter E. Davenport writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning an emergency with an Italian immigrant who is being unfairly treated by the authorities on Ellis Island and the Department of Commerce and Labor. The Italian immigrant is facing deportation because of economic depression and high congestion of other immigrants in the area. Davenport asks Roosevelt for his assistance in this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-08