Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Belle Roosevelt on the birth of her new baby named Joseph Willard. Roosevelt also updates her on the status of the family. Quentin Roosevelt has been suffering from pneumonia, and Archie Roosevelt, like his father, has become very discouraged with issues relating to the war.
1918-01-18
President Roosevelt would like to discuss the Goldwin Smith letters with Paul Dana. Smith’s suggested solution for the war seems good but Roosevelt doubts it could be carried out. He invites Dana and Mary Duncan Butler Dana to spend a night at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-27
President Dávila of Honduras gladly accepts President Roosevelt’s offer to participate in peace settlements with neighboring Central American republics. Honduras has remained, and will remain, neutral.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30
Acting Secretary of State Adee forwards William Loeb a message from Lientent Commander James H. Glennon from Acajutla, El Salvador, that the American armed steamer President will be transferred to El Salvador. Additionally, President Fernando Figueroa of El Salvador greatly desires American intervention. Adee suggests that while material aid is impracticable, a moral intervention would achieve the same goal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-20
Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses related items for William Loeb to update President Roosevelt on the situation in Central America and to advise on how to handle the United States’ recognition of Honduras’ provisional government and neutrality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
President Roosevelt’s former classmate, James Ford Rhodes, reflects on Roosevelt’s administration and how it will be viewed by history. He believes three points will endure: the man whose critics called him a champion of war has become a peace keeper; Roosevelt has set a high standard of honesty in public service, and has inspired good young men to enter into politics; and his presidency has favored neither the rich nor the poor, but administered justice to both. Rhodes also reflects on the lives of the rich, comparing America’s wealthy with others in history, particularly those of the Roman Republic and Empire. He believes the Americans are better because of the use they make of their wealth. While the ancient Romans dedicated themselves to lives of sensual pleasure, the modern Americans live simply and give to educational and charitable causes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-16
Russian troops bombarded the Japanese at Sandiapu, but neither took an advantage in the conflict and Japanese forces have been reinforced. Vice Admiral Rojestvensky’s fleet is believed to be near Madagascar, and the Japanese Navy is patrolling the South China Sea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-03
A battle between the Russian and Japanese forces is reportedly taking place. While weather conditions prevented troop movement, both sides have been strengthening their lines. Japanese naval activity is ongoing near Java and Sumatra.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-27
President Roosevelt, dressed as a firefighter, drives away as a house labeled “Central America” catches on fire labeled “war.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-25
President Roosevelt greets Kermit Roosevelt after they both went hunting. The president carries two dead “war” dogs while Kermit holds a bear carcass.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
President Roosevelt wears a “world’s champion peacemakers medal” as he looks over the globe and asks, “Any more peace needed down there, neighbors?” He holds olive branches and a dove in one hand and a “long distance peace telescope” in the other. “France” and John Bull hung each other on one side while “Spain” says, “He let me in on the peace ground floor.” A man in Africa holds a paper that reads, “all quiet across the Congo,” and says, “I’ll wire this to Teddy!” Meanwhile, Russian Emperor Nicholas II and Japanese Emperor Meiji bow toward one another. German Emperor William II puts his finger to his hand and says, “Well, I’ve got to keep quiet or Roosevelt will be after me.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-31
Three panels depict President Roosevelt’s deeds. The first shows him charging up a hill with the caption of “first in war.” The second shows him holding an olive branch under a banner that reads, “Peace! in the name of humanity,” with the caption of “first in peace.” The third shows Japanese Emperor Meiji and Russian Tsar Nicholas II shaking hands with the caption of “first in the arts of diplomacy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-11
W. T. Stead relays the history of Russian Emperor Nicholas II’s reign up to this point, and asserts that his unpopularity with his people and inability to act rests on the bureaucracy built up by his ministers. Stead believes that Nicholas will be “emancipated” from the limits of autocracy and bureaucracy by the upcoming election of the Duma. When the Tsar and Duma meet, Stead predicts that they will be able to work well together.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-12
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Arthur Hamilton Lee to discuss finding a place for his son, Kermit Roosevelt, with the British troops during their Mesopotamian campaign.
1917-06-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he and Edith are about to leave on their trip to the West Indies, and he has sent Kermit a copy of his new book Fear God, Take your own Part. Roosevelt says the essays in it are the reason President Wilson finally began to speak out against Germany and for war preparedness. He also gives an update on Quentin.
1916-02-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, concerned about Belle’s condition as he thought she was getting better. Roosevelt says he would come to them in Panama were it not for the Republican Convention in three weeks’ time. He also says he is sending Kermit another copy of his new book A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and worries about Wilson’s actions should the country drift into war with Mexico.
1916-05-14
Theodore Roosevelt reports on the achievements of Quentin, Archie, and Ted at the Plattsburgh military training camp, noting that they received good recommendations from their officers. To Roosevelt’s delight, Archie was placed in a position above Ted. Archie and Ted also traveled to Montreal, Quebec, to view the military preparations. The Plattsburgh camp has been very successful, and other camps are being formed across the country. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson for his policy toward Germany and Mexico.
1915-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his hunting trip north of Quebec, Canada, where he killed a caribou and two moose. He also details Archie’s disappointing hunting trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and his foreign policy toward Germany and Mexico and discusses the war in Europe. He also mentions that Ted is doing good business work, and Ted feels that Kermit has a real future with the bank.
1915-10-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a speech he gave entitled “Americanism” and rails against President Wilson and his foreign policy toward the World War and Mexico, unfavorably comparing Wilson to Thomas Jefferson. Roosevelt talks of how well Ted has done in business this year and discusses the army training camp at Plattsburgh, New York.
1915-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say that in the event of war with Germany, Roosevelt plans to form a mounted regiment and wants Kermit to be a lieutenant. He says if war should break out with Mexico he would not want Kermit to join because it would be better suited to Archie or Quentin. He says he will write Seth Bullock about forming a North Dakota regiment. Roosevelt also talks about a visit from Archie and Archie’s view on Harvard Clubs including the Porcellian.
1915-06-26