Your TR Source
President Roosevelt assures Newton W. Gilbert that he appointed him to the Philippine Commission because of his public service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
In anticipation of General Edwards’s arrival in Manila, Frank W. Carpenter informs him of the political and economic conditions of the Philippines during American occupation. Carpenter has lived in the Philippines for nine years and has a thorough understanding of the Filipino people. Although many in the United States worry about an insurrection in the Philippines, Carpenter assures Edwards that most Filipinos are peaceful and that public order is in good condition. Carpenter believes that a Nationalist majority in the Assembly would be beneficial to American interests, even though people in the United States think differently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Albert P. Wright writes to President Roosevelt upon hearing that someone told Roosevelt he had a drinking problem, which Wright states he does not. Wright discusses the difficulties in the Philippines, especially in regard to conflict between Filipinos and Americans. He openly divulges his antipathy for the Filipinos on the island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Francis C. Travers recommends Thomas W. Hynes be given a position on the Philippine Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-10
Assistant Secretary of War Sanger asks University of California President Wheeler if he plans to request that Professor Bernard Moses return to the university and resign from the Philippine Commission. President Roosevelt has a successor for Moses in mind and having Moses return to the university is preferable to the other methods of opening a vacancy on the Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-22
William Loeb informs William Cary Sanger that President Roosevelt would like him to communicate with Benjamin Ide Wheeler regarding possible vacancies in the Philippine Commission and to see if Bernard Moses can be brought back.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-20
President Roosevelt tells Cardinal Gibbons that he mistakenly told Gibbons no vacancy existed on a commission in a previous letter. Roosevelt compares two men for the position, Major Thomas L. Hartigan and Treasurer of the Philippines Frank A. Branagan. He strongly prefers the latter and shares that they are both Catholic. Roosevelt is unsure whether he means to fill the vacancy or leave it to president-elect William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
President Roosevelt asks his sister, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, to inform Justine Bayard Ward that he never said he approved of Cabot Ward for a position on the Philippine Commission, and he did not ask William H. Taft to appoint him. Cabot Ward does not have the experience to warrant putting him on the commission, and seats on the commission are not positions for which someone can apply. At present there are not many opportunities for a position in South America, but Roosevelt thinks that is something for which Ward could apply. Roosevelt mentions that the biography of him by Francis E. Leupp seems to him the best of its kind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-09
President Roosevelt assures Bishop Horstmann that Governor General of the Philippines James Francis Smith spoke well of David P. Barrows. If Barrows is appointed to the Philippines Commission, Roosevelt intends to appoint a Catholic as superintendent, as well as put another Catholic on the Commission. Roosevelt will speak with Secretary of War William H. Taft before he makes a decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-10
President Roosevelt assures Cardinal Gibbons that Governor General of the Philippines James Francis Smith has said Superintendent of Education David P. Barrows has never shown any bias against Catholics in his position. However, if Barrows is appointed to the Philippines Commission, Roosevelt intends to appoint a Catholic as superintendent, as well as put another Catholic on the Commission. He will speak with Secretary of War William H. Taft about the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-10
President Roosevelt congratulates the Philippine Assembly on the joint resolution passed by the Assembly and the Philippine Commission. Roosevelt wishes the Assembly success in performing their duties, and calls on them to put aside their personal interests and serve the larger interests of their country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-13
President Roosevelt questions the Philippine Commission presenting him the medal of honor, and will talk with Secretary of War Taft the next day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-06
Theodore Roosevelt clarifies his treatment of the Catholics and the integration of Filipino pupils into Catholic colleges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-11
President Roosevelt is frustrated that Bishop Hendrick has not brought his concerns before Governor General of the Philippines Luke E. Wright or Commissioner James Francis Smith. He is confused about Hendrick’s actual complaint, as he seems to be contradicting himself regarding the Aglipayan movement for an independent church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-02
President Roosevelt will not recommend Mr. Waring to the Philippine Commission until he knows if they will accept his recommendation of Dominick I. Murphy. The petition to give the Filipinos ultimate independence which was recently signed by Cardinal Gibbons places Governor Wright, Bishop Hendrick, and the other American bishops in a bad position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-26
President Roosevelt has a high opinion of Winthrop and would like to see him on the Philippine Commission. However, if the Commission feels strongly towards General Davis, Winthrop’s appointment can wait for the next vacancy. Roosevelt wishes William Taft and Winthrop to meet and talk before a decision is made.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-22
President Roosevelt encloses letters to the American Commissioners at Manila and Judge John Thomas McDonough.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
President Roosevelt has received a telegram from the Philippine Commission urging the retention of Governor Taft on the Commission. Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter with General Wright.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-07
There has been a great deal of Catholic opposition in the United States to William H. Taft’s negotiations with the Holy See regarding the withdrawal of the friars from the Philippines. President Roosevelt fears that the situation will be damaging politically but understands that little can currently be done. Roosevelt agrees that teachers in the Philippines should not express their religious preferences and he does not want any more clergymen appointed as teachers. Roosevelt would also like to appoint a Catholic to the Philippine Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-31
President Roosevelt has been surprised at the Catholic hostility to a settlement of the friars matter in the Philippines. However, Filipino Catholics and American Catholics familiar with the Philippines support the administration’s actions. Negotiations with the Holy See are ongoing to determine what will be done with the friars and their land. Roosevelt insists that fair play and religious freedom are guiding all of his actions regarding the friars and the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-31