United States. Navy. Atlantic Fleet. Battleship Force

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence F. Abbott

President Roosevelt sends Lawrence F. Abbott, editor of The Outlook, his correspondence with Judge Thomas Goode Jones, who he is “glad that I have backed up.” The Sun’s recent turn against the Navy surprised Roosevelt, and he would like to discuss the matter with Abbott and his brother, Ernest Hamlin Abbott. Roosevelt extends an invitation to stay at the White House to Abbott’s father, Lyman Abbott. The Outlook continually provides excellent points, which Roosevelt draws on.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of War Taft and has removed the reference to receivership from his speech. The “Philippine question” is the only point on which he remains uneasy. He details his thoughts and concerns about the United States’ continued relationship with the islands, including their strategic importance in the event of a conflict with Japan and the issue of granting autonomy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jonathan Bourne

Senator Bourne is at liberty to discuss the Great White Fleet. President Roosevelt is too busy to deal with the subject of arbitration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Ross McCoy

President Roosevelt asks Frank Ross McCoy to relay his regards to Yosemite park rangers John D. Alger and Archibald C. Leonard, remembering “the two bully camps we had” on a recent camping trip. While Roosevelt sympathizes with McCoy about the bears, he views it as good that they found refuge in Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. He agrees with McCoy regarding the Japanese.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt instructs Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry to ensure there is enough coal for the Great White Fleet’s trip, and says the Bureau of Equipment is “on trial in this matter.” He likes the idea of “having one first-class man. . .represent all the newspapers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James B. Connolly

President Roosevelt believes James B. Connolly is the ideal candidate to accompany the Atlantic Fleet as a journalist representing all newspapers. However, before promising anything, he must first consult with Admiral Willard H. Brownson and Admiral Robley D. Evans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur William Merrifield

President Roosevelt is proud to hear Arthur William Merrifield is excelling in his position as United States marshal. Merrifield does not need to worry about the money until he is ready to pay it. Roosevelt agrees with Merrifield regarding Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jonathan Bourne

President Roosevelt enjoyed Senator Bourne’s letter and the quotations from his wife, Lillian Elizabeth Wyatt Bourne. He appreciates Bourne’s support of sending the fleet to the Pacific, which will happen regardless of the approval of Senator Eugene Hale.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt will send the Dolphin or a similar vessel to Gloucester, Massachusetts, on August 15, considering Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry’s conversation with Meyer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry’s letter helped President Roosevelt better understand the situation. Roosevelt believes the best itinerary for the Great White Fleet to follow is through the Straits of Magellan and returning through the Suez Canal, but he seeks advice from the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Admiral Willard H. Brownson. Roosevelt also believes several reporters should accompany the fleet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt directs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry to return the memorandum to the General Board of the Navy, saying he approves all of it except for the point about dividing the fleet. Naval history and the recent Russo-Japanese War illustrate the dangers of splitting forces to protect multiple strategic points. Roosevelt wants the Atlantic Fleet to remain a singular unit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry White

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador White for the clipping he recently sent and for hosting Admiral Charles H. Stockton in Paris. Roosevelt is anxious for the Great White Fleet to travel to the Pacific Ocean, because while he wants Japan to know he has nothing but friendly intentions, he also wants them to know he is not afraid of them. Roosevelt wishes Congress would provide adequate housing for American ambassadors abroad, but is afraid it will take some time to accomplish it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Letter from Lawrence F. Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lawrence F. Abbott thanks President Roosevelt for his letter and the copies of correspondence between Roosevelt and Secretary of the Treasury George B. Cortelyou about campaign contributions. Abbott believes that he now understands the Great White Fleet enough to make a statement about it and asks Roosevelt what is proper to say about the Standard Oil Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-16

Letter from Lawrence F. Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lawrence F. Abbott thanks President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for their hospitality in their country home and includes a list of seven questions about the Great White Fleet. He would like to include information about the fleet and its journey in The Outlook magazine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for allowing the USS Constitution to remain in Boston and encourages Roosevelt not to send the ship to Annapolis. Lodge also informs Roosevelt that he supports his plan to send the fleet on a cruise in the Pacific, but he anticipates a significant debate about it. Lodge also replies to Roosevelt’s letter of September 4 and says that he is glad the president has such a high opinion of Senator John Kean’s wine cellar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06

Memorandum for reply to letter from Senator Lodge

Navy Department Chief of the Bureau of Equipment Cowles outlines the situation regarding the transfer of coal for Senator Lodge. The Navy Department used to accept coal shipments from American vessels to Pacific ports under the coastwise shipping laws, but it was unsustainable due to rates and foreign markets. In response to the issue, the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Edward Hale Campbell ruled that President Roosevelt had the authority to charter foreign vessels. Cowles lists the American vessels that were chartered. Allegations have been made that the Navy illegally selected foreign vessels, hurting American shipping, and Cowles gives examples to refute these claims. For the remainder of the voyage of the Fleet, the department intends to utilize American vessels as often as possible, but the necessary coal will have to come in foreign bottoms.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-05

Letter from Jonathan Bourne to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Bourne of Oregon asks President Roosevelt if the Great White Fleet might visit Portland, as has been suggested by the Portland Chamber of Commerce. In addition to bringing satisfaction to the people of Oregon, this stop in the freshwater harbor would save costs that would have been spent on cleaning the ships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-04

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge informs President Roosevelt of the rumored attacks against sending the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific. With the upcoming presidential campaign, Lodge feels these attacks are an attempt to “get in a blow at the Administration.” He advises they “ought not leave any loophole” for the opposition, such as the role of the coastwise law, which he details. As a separate matter, Lodge mentions the contentious relocation of the USS Constitution from Boston to Annapolis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from Jonathan Bourne to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Bourne thanks President Roosevelt for his letter and permission to discuss the Atlantic Fleet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-25

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to William Loeb

John Callan O’Laughlin encloses a letter he believes is of interest to William Loeb and President Roosevelt regarding Secretary of State Elihu Root and the press. Roosevelt’s goodwill towards Japan intrigues O’Laughlin, and he requests Loeb give him information on the Atlantic Fleet’s movements. On his way to Maine, O’Laughlin plans to stop in New York City and wants Loeb to show him around.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-24