United States. Navy

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jules Bois

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Jules Bois’s essay about him. He comments that a successful foreign policy is often dependent on only international courtesy being made public. When Roosevelt sent an American fleet on a tour around the world he instructed them to act as if they were always in a state of war. The “peaceful mission” brought only goodwill from Japan and was popular at home. Roosevelt says he “spoke softly and carried a big stick.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert J. Beveridge

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Albert J. Beveridge’s opinion that additional battleships would have given Spain the excuse to avoid the Spanish War. Roosevelt mentions the high quality of the naval program when he was president and reiterates that World War I was not caused by anything connected to the freedom of the seas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eleanor Roosevelt

The two books meant for Eleanor Roosevelt were accidentally sent to someone else but are being sent again. Theodore Roosevelt has been visiting the “cunning households” of Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Ted Roosevelt. He recently hosted Maud White and hopes to see Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt soon. Roosevelt has heard praise from all quarters regarding Franklin’s Navy work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Semmes Read

Theodore Roosevelt is glad to hear that Semmes Read is doing well. He does not know if it will help but he will do as Read asked and write to John Adams Kingsbury right away.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Ernest Sampson

Theodore Roosevelt assures Mrs. Ernest Sampson that he believes deeply in the men of the U.S. Army and Navy, but he cannot promise to make a visit during his travels in California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles O’Neil

After the “ridiculous attack” on Admiral O’Neil, Theodore Roosevelt fondly recalls working with him. Roosevelt describes O’Neil as an “absolutely efficient and loyal” officer. Roosevelt looked into the government tests of the Gathmann Gun. He wonders if this was the same gun that Congress invested money that failed spectacularly during its testing phase.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Josephus Daniels

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Secretary Daniels for the letter and copy of the United States Navy’s calendar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth

Theodore Roosevelt praises Nicholas Longworth on the capital speech and extraordinary figures, which he will see if he can use. Roosevelt thinks they make a startling indictment of the good faith of President Wilson and his supporters. Roosevelt also shares a humorous story about receiving a Christmas letter along with a Navy Department calendar from Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, “that preposterous old grape-juice gentleman,” despite the fact that Roosevelt has attacked Daniels as strongly as he has attacked Wilson and Secretary Bryan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richmond Pearson Hobson

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Richmond Pearson Hobson in reaction to Hobson’s request for Roosevelt to speak before the Naval Committee. Roosevelt explains why he is unable to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin J. Rabinowitz

Theodore Roosevelt refers Benjamin J. Rabinowitz to an article and George von Lengerke Meyer to offer the best information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin Spencer Edmonds

Theodore Roosevelt refutes statements made by James M. Beck regarding Roosevelt’s actions around the time of the Spanish-American War. He denies advocating the sending of the Atlantic fleet to intercept and destroy the Spanish fleet without a declaration of war. He recommended warning Spain that sending the fleet to the West Indies would be considered a declaration of war and that the United States would act accordingly. Roosevelt also denies saying that the Assistant Secretary of the Navy should be made the “general Admiral of the Navy” with precedence over all other admirals. He suggests Beck is attempting to deliberately spread falsehoods and gives Franklin Spencer Edmonds permission to show his letter to Beck or anyone else who heard Beck’s statements. Roosevelt does not believe it is necessary to publish his response to Beck.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Emil C. Wetten

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Emil C. Wetten that the United States should not abandon the expansion of their Navy at present.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Carter H. Fitz-Hugh

Theodore Roosevelt explains to Carter H. Fitz-Hugh that he wishes he could make a speech in support of the Navy but is unable to due to the other demands on his time. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jesse Robertson

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Jesse Robertson for his donation to the Progressive Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to C. W. Carroll

Theodore Roosevelt congratulates C. W. Carroll for joining the military and hopes he sticks with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alford Warriner Cooley

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Alford Warriner Cooley for his letter. Roosevelt is concerned about public disinterest in the Philippines, military, and government involvement with forests. He believes that cultivated men and newspapers are so focused on antagonism they hurt their causes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-19

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 directs Secretary of the Navy Newberry to attach to Admiral William Sowden Sims’s officer record a statement of all “the essential facts concerning the value of his services.” Roosevelt believes that Sims has done more than any other man for the improvements of the Navy’s efficiency in target practice, and wishes that his contributions to gunnery, ordnance, and construction be recorded.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore A. Bingham

President Roosevelt is upset that the Civil Service Commission of the City of New York has refused to bestow commendation upon Edward J. Bourke on the grounds that there is not sufficient evidence of personal risk. Roosevelt explains that Bourke bravely served in multiple naval battles during the Spanish-American War at great personal risk. Roosevelt asks New York City Police Commissioner Bingham to refer the matter to Mayor George B. McClellan or take other appropriate action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Adams

President Roosevelt invites Henry Adams to the last reception of his administration, held for the United States Army and Navy, which Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and his wife Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge will be attending. Roosevelt also invites Adams to a separate dinner that will include only the Lodge family and Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner and Constance Gardner. Roosevelt also mentions that he had a delightful breakfast at Adams’s house the day before.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-09