United States, West

Address at bi-centennial celebration of the birth of John Wesley

President Roosevelt addresses representatives of the Methodist Church gathered in Carnegie Hall on the bicentennial of John Wesley’s birth. He opens by noting that it is in the United States that the Methodist Church has grown the most, starting from about the time of the Revolutionary War. The Methodist Church has also played “a peculiar and prominent part in the pioneer growth” of the country, particularly in westward expansion. Methodist preachers and ministers served as a moral guide for the frontiersmen and women to help them conquer both the “forces of spiritual evil” and the hostile terrain of the frontier. Roosevelt urges the church of the present day to show the same spirit of courage and determination as these earlier pioneers in order to advance humanity, kindliness, and brotherhood within the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-26

Address at bi-centennial celebration of the birth of John Wesley (press copy)

President Roosevelt addresses representatives of the Methodist Church gathered in Carnegie Hall on the bicentennial of John Wesley’s birth. He opens by noting that it is in the United States that the Methodist Church has grown the most, starting from about the time of the Revolutionary War. The Methodist Church has also played “a peculiar and prominent part in the pioneer growth” of the country, particularly in westward expansion. Methodist preachers and ministers served as a moral guide for the frontiersmen and women to help them conquer both the “forces of spiritual evil” and the hostile terrain of the frontier. Roosevelt urges the church of the present day to show the same spirit of courage and determination as these earlier pioneers in order to advance humanity, kindliness, and brotherhood within the nation. This is a press copy of his speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-26

Address at bi-centennial celebration of the birth of John Wesley (edited copy)

President Roosevelt addresses representatives of the Methodist Church gathered in Carnegie Hall on the bicentennial of John Wesley’s birth. He opens by noting that it is in the United States that the Methodist Church has grown the most, starting from about the time of the Revolutionary War. The Methodist Church has also played “a peculiar and prominent part in the pioneer growth” of the country, particularly in westward expansion. Methodist preachers and ministers served as a moral guide for the frontiersmen and women to help them conquer both the “forces of spiritual evil” and the hostile terrain of the frontier. Roosevelt urges the church of the present day to show the same spirit of courage and determination as these earlier pioneers in order to advance humanity, kindliness, and brotherhood within the nation. This is a press copy of his speech with edits marked in pencil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-26

The Northwest Territory; Ohio, 1787-1790

Handwritten draft of chapter six from the “St. Clair and Wayne” section of The Winning of the West.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894

The American wilderness; wilderness hunters and wilderness game

Handwritten draft of chapter one of The Wilderness Hunter.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1893

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles he enjoyed his trip to his ranch but was disheartened to see that his cattle are not doing well. He describes the hunting he did and the rifle he used. Roosevelt says there is much animosity out West from the poor toward the prosperous. He is very busy and will have to take part in the campaign.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1896-09-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay

President Roosevelt describes his “western trip” in this letter to Secretary of State Hay. The letter has been bound in a book and entitled The western trip of President Roosevelt 1903–Manuscript letter. He lists his traveling companions, places visited, delivering speeches, traveling by train, people encountered (especially “Hell-roaring Bill Jones”), the scenery, and going to church.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-08-09

Old times in west Tennessee

Notes taken by Theodore Roosevelt on various books, including Old Times in West Tennessee by Joseph S. Williams (1873) and Early Years in Middle Tennessee by John Carr (1857). The notes, which include page numbers in the researched works, may have been taken while Roosevelt was writing his book The Winning of the West.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

Unknown

Letter from Thomas Collier Platt to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Platt includes an excerpt from a letter he received from a prominent New York banker. The banker believes that businessmen in New York and the West fear Roosevelt’s “erratic method,” and that therefore Roosevelt would not succeed in winning the presidency if running against a “normal Democrat.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-07

Letter from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Morton believes that President Roosevelt’s position on the equality of labor and capital is “manly and courageous.” He has met many Democrats that intend to vote for Roosevelt and expects a landslide victory for him in the West. Morton thinks that there is no doubt in Wisconsin and suggests appealing to the young men of the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-23

Letter from Richard Wilson Knott to Theodore Roosevelt

Richard Wilson Knott encloses an editorial from the Louisville Evening Post about politics in the South. He discusses political support in Kentucky for President Roosevelt and believes that Roosevelt’s Panama policy will “strengthen” him in the South and in the West.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-19

Letter from Gustav E. Kissel to Douglas Robinson

Gustav E. Kissel asks that the enclosed photograph of Tazewell Woody, President Roosevelt’s hunting guide, be forwarded to the president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-03

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot believes that he is overcoming western opposition to transferring the administration of forest reserves to the Department of Agriculture. He suggests that President Roosevelt appoint a commission to investigate public land questions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-21

Salt Lake Herald, September 19, 1903

Gifford Pinchot highlighted two articles in the September 19, 1903, edition of the Salt Lake Herald. The first, “Modify the Land Laws Is Congress’ Decision,” describes the debates and resolutions of the National Irrigation Congress held in Ogden, Utah. The fiercest debate was over a proposed resolution that favored the repeal of the timber and stone act, the desert land act, and the commutation clause of the homestead law. Instead, the Congress resolved to press for “modifications in raid laws as will save the remaining public lands for actual settlers who will found homes and live upon said lands.” The second article, “Resolutions That Were Acted On By Congress,” summarizes the various issues that were discussed in the National Irrigation Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-19

Roosevelt – Wall Street – Yellow Journalism

President Roosevelt is very popular in the west and opposition from Wall Street will have no effect as Wall Street has never been viewed favorably in the west. William Randolph Hearst has many newspaper interests in the west but he is not considered a serious political candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-06

Letter from Thomas F. Woodlock to Francis C. Travers

Thomas F. Woodlock has returned from a western trip and will investigate the Greene copper matter. Woodlock found that the West supports President Roosevelt’s nomination in 1904 and he would like to meet with Roosevelt again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-14

Look to Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler traveled with President Roosevelt on a trip to the western United States and personally witnessed Roosevelt’s great popularity. He views Roosevelt as the only logical Republican presidential candidate in 1904.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05

Letter from James Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson reports on the 1903 Iowa Republican Convention. The convention was generally harmonious and the resolutions were generous to President Roosevelt. The West is enthusiastic for Roosevelt and Wilson expects large campaign contributions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-02

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton congratulates President Roosevelt on his upcoming trip to the West and wishes that he had been able to accompany him. Buxton thanks Roosevelt for the useful information procured for him from Major John Pitcher regarding Yellowstone National Park. He hopes to visit the park when he travels to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-17

Letter from John A. Sleicher to Theodore Roosevelt

John A. Sleicher encloses a letter from Dr. Harvey regarding political conditions in the West.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-10