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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
Ambassador White informs President Roosevelt about American relations with the Vatican, including a controversial dinner White had with four cardinals in honor of Archbishop John Ireland. He says that some in the Vatican, including Pope Pius X, approved of the meeting, while others did not, given that the United States and the Vatican did not officially have relations at that time. White makes a number of other short remarks on various diplomats and the relationship between the Italian Government and the Vatican. White tells Roosevelt that Cardinal Merry del Val and the Pope both appreciated the signed photographs Roosevelt sent them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-27
Silas McBee tells President Roosevelt that his visit to Rome has been delightful beyond expectations. McBee has learned much first hand from both the state and the church, and he believes that the ultimate “problem” is one of human need and satisfaction. McBee had a candid and productive discussion with the King of Italy, noting his surprise at the king’s frankness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-25
An article in the California Christian Advocate has published an article discussing Maria Longworth Storer’s attempt to secure President Roosevelt’s endorsement in a “scheme” to convince Pope Pius X to appoint Archbishop John Ireland a cardinal. Roosevelt did not give his endorsement because it would be improper to interfere in the official business of the Catholic church. Nonetheless, Storer “caused the impression to be conveyed to the pope that the President desired Ireland” for the cardinal position, although Pope Pius X denies this. The writer of the article believes Roosevelt to be “so open-minded, so sincere, so frank, that the Roman church has found him an easy mark for its schemes.” The writer goes on to accuse Rome of “defying” the President by trying to prevent the recall of Ambassador Storer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
Secretary of War Taft forwards a message from Judge Ide, noting that Apostolic Delegate Agius denies that he complained to the Vatican about Alice Roosevelt receiving Gregorio Aglipay and Aglipayans (members of a national church founded by Aglipay, a former Catholic priest).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-24
Henry Adams congratulates President Roosevelt on his maneuverings with the emperors and expresses his deep concern regarding a reported upcoming visit to Washington by Francis Augustus MacNutt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-06
This speech, created by the members of the Catholic American Pilgrimage of 1906, addresses Pope Pius X, and speaks about the state of the Catholic Church in the United States. Noting the large increase in the number of Catholics since the inception of the church in the United States, the group also speaks of the religious freedom present in the nation, and quotes Theodore Roosevelt’s support of both Catholic and Protestant presidents.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906
Archbishop Ireland writes to President Roosevelt about the political process of completing the contract for the Friars’ land settlement in the Philippines. Ireland states that the only positive report of the process, besides his own, has come from the Apostolic Delegate Giovanni Guidi. The Friars and bishops are conveying contradictory, or negative information to the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Ireland requests that Governor Taft write to the Vatican and discuss how the effort is proceeding to support what the Apostolic Delegate and the Archbishop have reported.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-31
Lyman Abbott offers to join Governor Taft and other American officials in Rome to assist in the negotiations with the Vatican regarding the “friar land problem in the Philippines.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-10
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from October 1858 to December 1870. Notable events include the Roosevelt family’s involvement in the American Civil War, Theodore Roosevelt meeting John Hay as a child, and the Roosevelt family’s first European trip.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
Ambassador to Austria Storer informs President Roosevelt that Francis Augustus MacNutt has denied being dismissed from the American diplomatic and consular service. Although MacNutt was dismissed from the Vatican due to his misdemeanors, he wants to be reinstated there. Storer asks Roosevelt to look into the papers concerning MacNutt’s dismissal and wonders if Secretary of State Elihu Root has known about MacNutt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905
Maria Longworth Storer tells President Roosevelt that Francis Augustus MacNutt denies that he was dismissed from diplomatic service at the Vatican and has simply gone back to the United States to “rehabilitate himself.” Ambassador to Italy Henry White is friendly with MacNutt, though Storer hopes that Secretary of State Elihu Root can find proof of his dismissal. She also asks if she and her husband can be special envoys to Spain in the event of the wedding of King Alfonso XIII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-24
Maria Longworth Storer has heard that Pope Pius X declined to promote Archbishop John Ireland to Cardinal after interference from Cardinal Raphael Merry del Val, who asserted that President Roosevelt had also advocated for the promotion of Archbishop John M. Farley. As Farley represents a “foreign and reactionary spirit,” Storer does not believe that Roosevelt would have asked for his advancement. If the assertions she heard are untrue, she asks Roosevelt to write the Pope to say so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-20
David B. Ogden insists on the innocence of Francis Augustus MacNutt, his cousin Margaret van Cortlandt Ogden MacNutt’s husband. Ogden notes MacNutt’s neighbors spoke highly of him and that Maria Longworth Storer’s statement was only believed because she stated that President Roosevelt was the authority for it. Ogden does not understand how the president has any personal knowledge of MacNutt’s disloyalty and argues against Roosevelt’s supposed position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-12
Draft of a letter dictated and edited by Theodore Roosevelt for Outlook editor Lyman Abbott. He wishes to address the “Vatican incident” and has the utmost respect for Catholics. A note at the end says this letter was dictated, perhaps while on a steamship from Alexandria to Naples.
1910-04-03
Archbishop John Ireland congratulates President Roosevelt about the success of the negotiations with the Vatican over the purchase of the Friar’s land in the Philippines. Ireland provides evaluations of several politicians both in Minnesota and at the national level.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23
The fears of Frederick William Holls are unfounded and Secretary of State Hay has no intention of diplomatically recognizing the papacy during President Roosevelt’s absence. Hay also comments on Myron T. Herrick’s confidence that he will be nominated for governor of Ohio and on relations with Great Britain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-16
The Vatican is making an effort to join the Hague Convention and thus be recognized as a state and government by all signatories of the convention. Frederick William Holls argues that the United States should oppose this recognition and only give the Pope the same recognition as other religious leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-14
Pope Leo XIII thanks President Roosevelt for the gift of a collection of messages from the Presidents of the United States to Congress from 1789 to 1897. He also sends his best wishes for President Roosevelt and his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-09
Amasa Pierce Thornton is organizing an effort to Americanize the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in the Philippines that the Vatican will find acceptable. He wants an audience with Secretary of War Root and Archbishop Ireland. He wants an agreement that is acceptable to Root, Governor of the Philippines William H. Taft, the Vatican, and President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-30