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Theodore Roosevelt asks Ambassador Egan to have Gill write him and sends his regards to Egan’s family. Roosevelt comments on his interest in Egan’s last letter and agrees with what Egan wrote about Bertrand Martin Tipple. Roosevelt also comments on the attitudes of the American Ministers overseas.
1910-05-09
William Dudley Foulke calls President Roosevelt’s attention to a paper he encloses which was “published ostensibly by negroes” and distributed widely in Indianapolis. Foulke also comments on the situation of Francis Augustus MacNutt, who had been in the service of the United States as a diplomat until certain charges were raised against him. MacNutt was acquitted at Rome, but subsequent statements attributed to Roosevelt led to his not being received at the Vatican. MacNutt begs the privilege of answering any definite charge against him. He is still abroad, but would return to the United States to have the opportunity to prove his innocence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-28
This calling card is for Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani, sent by Vatican City to Washington, D.C., to serve as auditor of the Apostolic Delegation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-12
This note indicates that Ambrose Agius, Apostolic Delegate of the Philippines, is to see Secretary of War William H. Taft when he arrives and has asked when would work for him to see President Roosevelt before his departure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-12
Archbishop Ireland suggests that John Watson Foster lead the mission to the Vatican to discuss Filipino matters. At the end of January, Ireland plans to take up the “Storer matter” with Senator Foraker. The Archbishop is pleased that the citizens of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota approve of President Roosevelt’s leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-02
St. Clair McKelway cautions against American officials engaging in any negotiations with the Catholic Church. He does not believe that the Vatican should be recognized as a governmental or diplomatic entity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt asks Robert John Wynne to arrange a luncheon with Redmond and O’Connor and dismisses those in Britain who would object to his meeting with the Irish Members. He has been open about his support of the British Empire and will meet with whomever he chooses. Roosevelt also mentions that he has received support from American Catholics regarding an issue with the Vatican.
1910-04-11
This article reports that the adjutant-general at Manila has recognized diplomatic representatives from the Vatican and Roman Catholic Church in Manila without having the proper authority to do so. The article discusses this action with relation to the United States’ policy of separation of church and state. There is also an editorial note on Francis E. Leupp’s The Man Roosevelt: A Portrait Sketch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-20
Theodore Roosevelt discusses a letter from Captain H. A. Hanigan, in which Hanigan describes the “Vatican Incident” as an insult to Catholics. Roosevelt encloses for Colonel Lyon the statement he made in The Outlook but does not want it given to Hanigan, as he refuses to appeal to any religious bigotry, whether Protestant or Catholic. Roosevelt asserts that he acted just as any good American citizen would have in that situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15
President Roosevelt informs David B. Ogden the only first-hand knowledge he has about the Francis Augustus MacNutt case is that before the Department of State and says he cannot express an opinion about it. The president encloses copies of two letters regarding the situation but tells Ogden they are not to be published.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-13
President Roosevelt rebukes Maria Longworth Storer for her repeated attempts at “ecclesiastical intrigue” while trying to get Archbishop John Ireland made Cardinal. Roosevelt has repeatedly told Storer and her husband, Ambassador Bellamy Storer, that both they and he cannot officially get involved in matters regarding the Catholic Church. However, the Storers seem to have ignored these directives and continued to improperly write letters on Ireland’s behalf and to improperly quote portions of Roosevelt’s letters about the matter. If such actions do not stop, Roosevelt will have to remove Bellamy from his position as Ambassador. He asks Maria to return his letters on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-11
President Roosevelt would like to know Secretary of War Taft’s thoughts on the comments that Vatican representative Ambrose Agius made about Alice Roosevelt. Roosevelt wants to make it clear that his children have “nothing to do with politics international and internal,” and that anyone commenting on them should not receive official recommendation. He also encloses a cable from Ambassador Lloyd Carpenter Griscom.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-05
President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of Pope Pius’s letter and congratulates him on his elevation to the Papacy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-27
President Roosevelt has received a great deal of correspondence regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Rome (i.e. the Vatican). Roosevelt would like to go over the matter with St. Clair McKelway and William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-21
Ambassador Leishman informs Theodore Roosevelt that Mayor of Rome Ernesto Nathan is on good terms with King of Italy Victor Emmanuel III. However, the officials of the Vatican view Nathan poorly. Nathan wants to meet with Roosevelt, and Leishman asks if he can attend a dinner on Tuesday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-03-29
President Roosevelt provides Secretary of State Root information regarding a pamphlet that Bellamy Storer sent to the members of the cabinet. Storer did not give a full account of the events that led up to his dismissal from his ambassadorial post. Roosevelt seeks to address this by including the text of letters between himself and the Storers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-02
Henry White received President Roosevelt’s letter but has waited until reaching Rome to answer it. White’s views on disarmament were sent in a confidential letter through the British Embassy’s dispatch bag. He has omitted any reference to Roosevelt’s observations about the German emperor although he has borrowed some of Roosevelt’s phraseology. White writes that Roosevelt’s action in Cuba was met with “universal admiration.” White saw the Chilean minister yesterday who said that Elihu Root’s visit there brought great comfort and was epoch making. Other topics in the letter include the German and Jesuit influence in the Vatican and the reputation of the emperor as an influencer, and White’s visit with the King of Italy and their discussion of new literacy-based immigration laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Ambassador Henry White reports to President Roosevelt on a week he spent with King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. White and Emmanuel discussed international disarmament, about which both were skeptical. They talked about Vatican relations with many nations, especially Italy and France, and of how the Jesuits were involved. White also describes hunting ibex and shares that the king offered to send Roosevelt some ibex heads.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-29
Ambassador Henry White updates President Roosevelt on the allegations against Francis Augustus MacNutt, that he was leaking secret, official Vatican documents. Although MacNutt has been cleared by the Court of Appeals at Rome, and White concurs that there was no truth in the matter, it will be better if MacNutt does not present himself at the Embassy, and it is hoped that he will not do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-25
Archbishop Ireland writes to President Roosevelt thanking him for the invitation to visit the White House. However, he decided not to visit “to avoid newspaper misrepresentation of [his] purpose for going there.” He discussed his visit to the Vatican where he talked about “the situation of the church in the Philippines.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-15