Your TR Source
President Roosevelt finds the figures interesting, and sends Donald McDonald Dickinson a copy of a note he has sent to the War Department. In a handwritten addition, Roosevelt asks when Dickinson plans to come to Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-21
Mr. Metcalf has sent Senator Felton’s letter to President Roosevelt about Captain Andrew Summers Rowan. Roosevelt recognizes Rowan’s fame as the “message-to-Garcia man” and has written to Secretary of War Taft about Felton’s request and hopes that it can be granted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-10
Theodore Roosevelt suggests that two or three “good Catholic citizens” be located near each college and serve as a committee to make sure the intentions of the War Department are carried out in regards to the Filipino students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-11
President Roosevelt would like Acting Secretary of War Shaw to read Lieutenant George Thornton Emmons’s report on the case of the Copper River Indians. Roosevelt would like the War Department’s help in preventing them from starving.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-03
President Roosevelt encloses a statement from the War Department. According to Roosevelt, Filipinos have only been sent to the places where they could get the best education in their area for the least money. Roosevelt also informs O’Rourke that James Francis Smith is on board with the education plan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes S. N. D. North on behalf of Secretary of War William H. Taft, instructing him to follow the wishes of the War Department during his work in Philadelphia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-30
The public interest will not permit Joseph W. Beacham’s detail. Carrying out the policy and regulations of the War Department must come before requests from various educational institutions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-30
President Roosevelt asks Senator Fairbanks if anything needs to be done with the War Department estimates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-20
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Gurney Cannon, Chairman of the Notification Committee, to formally accept his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and to approve the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention. In the letter, Roosevelt provides a comprehensive defense of his foreign and domestic policies and outlines what he believes are the major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in the upcoming election. Roosevelt discusses, among other topics, his position on international relations, antitrust legislation, tariffs, the gold standard, pensions for Civil War veterans, the military, civil service, commerce, agriculture, taxation, and self-government in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
President Roosevelt has written to the War Department that he thinks that Lieutenant Stecker’s reprimand was undeserved. In the future, Stecker should write through “regular military channels.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-11
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of War Taft and Secretary of the Navy Morton to investigate complaints about the payment methods to employees in the arsenals and navy yards.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
President Roosevelt officially grants supervision of the Panama Canal construction and governance of the Panama Canal Zone to Secretary of War Taft in cooperation with the Isthmian Canal Commission. Roosevelt provides instructions for how to govern the canal zone, construct the canal, and maintain the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
President Roosevelt will appoint General Young to the Soldiers’ Home at the end of General Hamilton Smith Hawkins’ term and speaks of a bitter fight over Mills.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-04
President Roosevelt urges Archibald Ross Colquhoun to visit with Secretary of War William H. Taft, to discuss education in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-27
President Roosevelt would like Senator Foraker to get a rider on a pending bill that would give the President the authority to select the department that supervises the nation’s island possessions. Roosevelt believes that it would be advantageous to have their administration under the War Department, and Secretary of War Taft agrees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-30
President Roosevelt encloses a letter on behalf of Edward S. Fowler. If there is a vacancy in Major John C. Tweedale’s place, Captain Henry A. Barber should be promoted and retired. Then Fowler can be appointed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
President Roosevelt was pleased with Robert Barnwell Roosevelt’s letter and agrees that whatever else happens he has done “substantive work.” Roosevelt was able to secure leave from the War Department for Granville Fortescue and he will be leaving for the east soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-27
William H. Taft has replaced Elihu Root as Secretary of War. President Roosevelt will miss Root and is concerned that Taft is too much like him to provide good advice. Roosevelt believes that Ted Roosevelt can succeed in civilian life and would be sorry to see him enter the military. However, the army is “well and good” if Ted is convinced of that path. They can discuss the matter over Easter break.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-06
In response to the Senate resolutions, President Roosevelt requests all documents, sent or received of any kind, from the War Department related to the revolution in Panama since May 1, 1903.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-26
Brigadier General Smith delivers a speech upon taking office as the Governor-General of the Philippines. He praises the work of his predecessors Henry C. Ide, Luke E. Wright, and William H. Taft. He blames the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) on the Filipinos misunderstanding the motives of the United States’ policy to govern the Philippines while preparing the Filipinos for self-government rather than granting them independence immediately. Smith credits the United States for its restraint towards enemy combatants and in building in the Philippines municipal, judicial, educational, and taxation infrastructure while promoting a slate of liberal civil rights. He believes that to restore prosperity following the destructive war they will need to encourage new markets, American investment, the construction of railroads, and better training for the Philippines Constabulary. He particularly believes in broad education in the English language and in the trades. He recommends postponing the question of independence and addressing instead practical matters. He notes the importance of separating state functions from those of the Catholic church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20