Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses for Douglas Robinson a letter enclosing another letter, which states that Theodore Roosevelt owes money to the Department of War. The department is requesting immediate payment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-12-15
Theodore Roosevelt tells W. J. Dangaix that he is powerless to do with this administration. Roosevelt has made, and will not make, any request of the Department of War for anything connected with the Army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-07-11
Theodore Roosevelt informs Brigadier-General Albert Leopold Mills of the War Department that his friend Roger Derby would like to set up a machine gun battery in North Carolina with Lewis guns, if Mills will allow it. Roosevelt believes that the guns are durable enough to hold up to the task and their use in the North Carolina battery would be a good test of the guns’ durability and usefulness. Roosevelt hopes that Mills and the War Department will allow the guns to go to North Carolina. Roosevelt also invites Mills and his wife to lunch the next time they are in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates that A. F. Masury sent trucks to the military training camp, but fears that he cannot help Masury without making the War Department prejudiced against him. Roosevelt suggests that Masury get in contact with Democratic Senators or Congressmen to seek help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-03
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with what Captain Moseley said in his letter. Roosevelt believes it is time for the War Department to be more vocal about its needs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-07
John W. McGrath, secretary to Theodore Roosevelt, points out the chapter of the Autobiography in which Roosevelt asserted that the incompetency of the War Department was due to lack of adequate preparation. Roosevelt knows nothing about the resignation of a member of the Cabinet or refusal of a Cabinet member to accept a re-appointment, which was asserted by the recipient of the letter. To make R. A. Alger a scapegoat was in the opinion of Roosevelt an injustice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes an endorsement of James Drain to Jean Jules Jusserand. Drain is a man of “great efficiency and high character.” He specializes in rifle-shooting and ordinance supplies, and Roosevelt finds him “honest and trustworthy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-23
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Newberry to transfer the U.S.S. Frolic from the Navy Department to the War Department, citing a board recommendation and past appropriation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-23
President Roosevelt is pleased that J. M. Dickinson liked his speech, and Roosevelt likes Dickinson’s speech. Roosevelt is also pleased that Dickinson will take over as Secretary of War in the new administration, and praises having men like Dickinson and current Secretary of War Luke E. Wright in the presidential cabinet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-16
President Roosevelt will ask for action to be taken on General Cole’s request, unless the War Department gives him good reason not to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-10
President Roosevelt approves of the bill Senator Aldrich sent but suggests one change to the wording. Roosevelt proposes saying “five officers not below the rank of colonel” to clarify specifically that the officers need a rank of colonel or higher and not be general officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-26
President Roosevelt has put Governor Hadley’s letter before the War Department and will be pleased if his wishes can be followed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-22
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Wright if there is, or is likely to be, a vacancy open in the War Department. Roosevelt would like to transfer Isabella Hagner, current White House Social Secretary, to a suitable position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Wright to send him information relevant to the Aldrich resolution, which relates to the employment of special investigators, so that he may give a comprehensive report to the Senate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
President Roosevelt tells Lieutenant Colonel Howze that he had not heard of the attack until he received Howze’s letter. While Roosevelt says that “it would seem to be a particularly scoundrelly performance,” he does not believe what Howze describes is a violation of the postal laws. He will refer Howze’s letter to the military committees of Congress, and offers to file a copy with the War Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-05
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Wright that Oscar K. Davis, of the New York Times, is investigating papers connected with the purchase of the Panama Canal. He has thus far been unable to find the minutes of the final meeting of the stockholders of the New Panama Canal Company. Roosevelt asks Wright to have the files examined to determine whether such a document exists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-07
President Roosevelt believes the statements made by Delevan Smith in the Indianapolis News are patently false, and that refuting them will bring them undue attention. Because William Dudley Foulke insists that a reply be made, however, Roosevelt writes to refute the charges of a scandal involved in the purchasing of the Panama Canal zone from France. Roosevelt particularly refutes the charge that the affair has not been transparent, as documents related to it have been freely available. Roosevelt has refuted other false charges leveled against his administration, but the newspapers continue to print them, so he doubts whether his denial will be effective.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt appoints Surgeon General O’Reilly as the War Department’s representative on the Central Committee of the American National Red Cross.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-03
President Roosevelt informs President-Elect Taft about a “scrape” regarding ships that Congress authorized to have purchased for the Panama Canal against the wishes of Chief Engineer George W. Goethals. The ship owners insist that the War Department approved the bill’s passage with knowledge that Goethals protested. Secretary of War Luke E. Wright is reluctant to sign off on something that is a mere promise, and not a direction, from Congress against the wishes of canal officials. Roosevelt asks Taft to see Wright and himself, if necessary, to explain what he said on the matter when he was Secretary of War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of War Wright to publicly issue orders to the Isthmian Canal Commission, War Department, and all their subsidiaries that Archer should not be employed to make any kind of purchase on their behalf. An investigation revealed that Archer is “an absolute scoundrel” who is alleging to outsiders that only he can get ships taken. Roosevelt also would like all members of the Isthmian Canal Commissions and all employees dealing with the War Department to be specifically asked if they currently are or ever have been in communication with Archer. Roosevelt would also like to find out if the Commission members or Mr. Rodgers had knowledge of the excessive price paid in 1905 for two Cromwell ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23