United States. Marine Corps

Letter from John R. Carter to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Carter, Secretary of the American Embassy in London, thanks President Roosevelt for his letters, and for having his daughter Mildred stay at the White House. Carter discusses the response of the British public and press to the “Jamaica incident.” This likely refers to the inadequate relief provided by British Governor of Jamaica James Alexander Swettenham to Jamaican residents after the Kingston earthquake, and the subsequent intervention by American Rear Admiral C. H. Davis. The reaction in Britain is one of “amazement, indignation, and mortification.” However, Roosevelt’s answers to British Secretary of State for War R. B. Haldane’s and British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Edward Grey’s telegrams “had a most soothing effect.” Carter also references an earlier conversation he and Roosevelt had about Swettenham, in connection with the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-25

U.S. Marines passing up Penna. Avenue, inaugural parade, inauguration of President Roosevelt, Washington, D.C.

Crowd looks on as ranks of United States Marines march in the Inaugural Parade

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-05-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Edmund Foss

President Roosevelt explains his concerns with the naval bill to Representative Foss of Illinois, chairman of the committee on naval affairs in the House of Representatives. Roosevelt thinks that having marines on fighting ships is unnecessary, but does not think this is the most problematic part of the bill. Rather, Roosevelt argues that provisions preventing the purchase of torpedoes and gunpowder inhibit the Navy’s ability to prepare for war. Roosevelt concludes by urging the speedy construction of a new dock at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and stresses the importance of keeping the fleet together to best protect the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Navy Newberry that he does not believe a recent order issued by the Bureau of Navigation regarding the physical fitness of naval officers is a good one. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Surgeon General of the Navy Presley Marion Rixey that he believes would be a better sort of order, and feels that the tests should be administered yearly, and be uniform among all officers of the armed services.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood

President Roosevelt tells General Wood that he is welcome to quote Roosevelt on the matter of merging the Marine Corps into the United States Army. Roosevelt thinks it is an excellent corps, and says that it would be of great benefit to both services for the incorporation to take place.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt has received a telegram from William Worthington Russell, Minister to Venezuela, which makes him believe that it will be necessary for the United States to act in regards to that country. Roosevelt informs Secretary of State Root that he would like to have several ships sent there, and that he would like the Joint Board to meet to develop plans for action, should it become necessary. He believes that they can at least seize the custom houses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt that he spoke with Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry about Henry L. Roosevelt’s request for a year’s leave of absence. Newberry spoke highly of Henry, and said he cannot be spared until the Marines can leave Cuba, which may be a year away.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt has read the report from Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor Edwin Walter Sims and instructs Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf to carry out his recommendations without involving Congress. Roosevelt directs the Treasury Department to investigate the “dereliction of duty” of the Revenue Cutter Services and believes that more protection from the United States Marines might be necessary to safeguard the Alaskan seal fur fisheries from seal pirates. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth

President Roosevelt asks Representative Longworth if anything can be done for Harriet F. Gridley. She is “an old infirm lady” whose son died in 1904, and Roosevelt would like to help her.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Collier Platt

President Roosevelt informs Senator Platt that it is not possible to do what he wants for “young Lang.” Lang had also requested that Roosevelt designate him to take the examination to be an officer in the Marine Corps, and Roosevelt will do so if there is a vacancy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles William Fulton

Theodore Roosevelt received a telegram from Scott that does not agree with the one he received from Senator Fulton, but is keeping an open mind on the judgeship case and is awaiting further information. He is not sure what he can do about the Marine Corps for Fulton’s friend, about whom he asked, but will assist if he is able.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Paul Morton

President Roosevelt does not think Lieutenant Colonel Waller should be ordered to the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt hopes that Howard Paul Wright has been appointed to the Marine Corps.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt would be pleased if Representative Elliot’s son, a Marine, can be “properly” retired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

Colonel Forney of the Marines has applied to replace Haywood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sylvester Malone

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt will always answer Sylvester Malone’s appeals. He has inquired if Alfred Bernstein can be detailed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Roosevelt also contacted the Marine Corps and arranged to send Bernstein to school.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John W. Webster

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks John W. Webster for the offer, but he does not anticipate any trouble. Although, such men would be invaluable in the Marine Corps.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-27

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

Leonard Wood has spoken with Albert L. Key about many of the present discussions going on in reference to the Navy, and encourages President Roosevelt to read some letters that Key will send to him. Wood has been working on a question involving Cuba, and will send Roosevelt his recommendations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Leonard Wood to George F. Elliott

While General Wood believes that the conversation he had with President Roosevelt was personal, he understands General Elliott’s interest in the subject matter, and clarifies the situation for him. Roosevelt did not ask Wood to use his influence to have the Marine Corps merged into the Army, but asked him to prepare his views on the matter should the opportunity arise. Roosevelt favors such a merger, as does Wood. Wood spoke with Colonel Frank L. Denny and Lieutenant Colonel Charles Laurie McCawley to get their opinions on the subject if such a transfer were going to happen, and Wood presented only his personal views on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

General Wood encloses several self-explanatory letters to President Roosevelt, and tells him that he had personal talks with Colonel Frank L. Denny and Lieutenant Colonel Charles Laurie McCawley in order to determine what the attitude of the Marine Corps would be if it were to be transferred into the United States Army. Wood believes that such a transfer would be good, as the Marines are off the ships and are already essentially infantry, and so therefore should report to the Secretary of War. He also believes that General George F. Elliot hopes to get an increase in the Marine Corps and have it branch out as a separate branch of marine infantry, which Wood considers potentially harmful to the Army.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26