United States--Pacific Coast

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Mark Leland Hill O’Dea

In a fragment of a letter, Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary objects to giving an opinion for publication but encourages Mark Leland Hill O’Dea to read previous publications in which Roosevelt speaks on the matter. Roosevelt recommends travelers seek the Pacific coast, but is unwilling to endorse a specific movement, as it would mean he should endorse hundreds of other movements.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

Theodore Roosevelt will call a meeting of the Advisory Board, as Truman Handy Newberry suggested. Roosevelt and his wife enjoyed seeing the bridal couple on the Pacific Slope last year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. T. Clearwater

Theodore Roosevelt is apologizing to Mr. Clearwater because Roosevelt cannot give his own judgement, but must trust Mr. Clearwater’s opinion since he knows more on this matter than him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jacob A. Falconer

Theodore Roosevelt declines Jacob A. Falconer’s request to give a speech, because he does not want to be criticized for attracting public attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to The Commercial Commission of the Chambers of Commerce of the Pacific Coast

President Roosevelt thanks The Commercial Commission of the Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Coast for the copy of their “wise and patriotic” resolutions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt has heard from the Washington delegation that the Navy Department has said that it will take six to eight years to finish the Puget Sound Navy Yard drydock. He believes this is “nonsense” and it should be done within two to three years. The drydock should be ready before the battleships for the yard arrive. He asks for a full report on drydocks for the Pacific slope.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that he thinks the fleet should leave the Pacific Coast as soon as possible, and asks what date Metcalf has set.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George L. Lilley

President Roosevelt tells United States Representative Lilley that James F. J. Archibald was not appointed or employed by the administration, but rather contacted Roosevelt and said that he was going to conduct an independent investigation of submarine defense on the Pacific Coast of the United States, looking particularly at Puget Sound. Roosevelt told him that he would be glad to receive such a report from anyone who investigated the subject. When Roosevelt received Archibald’s letter on the topic, he forwarded it to Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, as he does with other similar letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis E. Warren

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Senator Warren to bring before the Committee on Military Affairs as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt also requests that Warren suggest other committees that would benefit from receiving the facts presented in the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John A. T. Hull

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Representative Hull and the Committee on Military Affairs to consider as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii, the Pacific Coast states, and territories of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Root if it would be possible to explain to the Imperial Japanese government that the decision to enact new regulations limiting the number of passports provided for Japanese laborers is an economic one. Roosevelt cites British Columbia, New Zealand, and Australia, which are all British colonies, as having similar policies despite Japan and England’s strong relationship, and hopes that there is a way to maintain current policies without causing diplomatic friction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin Ide Wheeler

President Roosevelt tells Benjamin Ide Wheeler that it is not important if the navy fleet is in the Pacific or Atlantic ocean, but rather that it keeps being built up. Roosevelt says that if he had not been able to overcome the opposition of Congress to improving the fleet, the West Coast would have “been in danger of bombardment.” Roosevelt is pleased Wheeler will continue on in San Francisco. He did not know anything about the industrial peace conference Wheeler mentioned, but will support it an any way he can. Roosevelt has asked Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon for a report about John W. Garrett.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Kennan

President Roosevelt shares with George Kennan the difficulties he has had dealing with the movement in California to remove the children of Japanese immigrants from schools. Although labor is partially to blame, Roosevelt believes deeply rooted racism is also at fault.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Dickson White

President Roosevelt agrees that Andrew Dickson White’s suggestion may become necessary, but is also ready to confront Japan on the matter of Japanese immigration and foreign workers on the American Pacific Coast. Roosevelt believes that there “is no difference between American and Japanese gentlemen and scholars,” but acknowledges that American workers are angered “to the point of madness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt pens his son Kermit Roosevelt with updates about the family’s activities over the previous weekend, including rides on the presidential yacht and hikes with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He is especially gushing about his wife, and Kermit’s mother, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s aptitude for physical activity and general intelligence. Roosevelt goes on to describe his trouble responding to the San Francisco Board of Eduction’s attempt to remove Japanese students from schools. He believes that the general distain for the Japanese among Americans on the Pacific Coast, stemming from labor disputes and racism, is to blame. Congress’ refusal to fund new fortifications in Hawaii and the Philippines has added to Roosevelt’s woes in the region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Chamberlain

Although he has heard good things about the man recommended by Oregon Governor Chamberlain, President Roosevelt does not believe it is possible for him to appoint another member of the commission from the Pacific Slope.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Sparks

President Roosevelt gladly accepts honorary membership in the Pacific Coast Bear Club, and tells John Sparks that he wishes he could come take part in one of their hunts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Jeffrey Roche

President Roosevelt found James Jeffrey Roche’s poem to be “first class” and invites Roche to join him for a few days during the West Coast trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Murray Butler

President Roosevelt goes over the plan for the Pacific coast trip and hopes that Nicholas Murray Butler will be able to accompany him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Murray Butler

President Roosevelt is sorry that March 23 is too early, as he will not reach the Pacific coast until around May 1.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-03