Your TR Source
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt about a recent trip he took with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on the Presidential Yacht Sylph. He also writes briefly about some of the humorous activities Kermit’s brothers Archie and Quentin have gotten up to.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-30
President Roosevelt sends his good wishes to the University of Berlin through Professor John William Burgess, and writes about the historically close ties between the United States and Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-12
President Roosevelt tells Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, that he is welcome to send copies of the correspondence to S. Weir Mitchell of Philadelphia, and asks if Grey would like Roosevelt to make any further announcements of Grey’s gift. Roosevelt enjoyed seeing Earl and Lady Grey, and wished that he had the opportunity to talk to Grey about labor issues, as they “are the most important and most puzzling questions we have to deal with to-day.” Roosevelt was touched by Grey’s description of his reaction to the ceremonies near Mount Vernon, and remarks that as long as the United States respects and admires George Washington, the good character of the country will increase.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-13
President Roosevelt appreciated Sereno Stansbury Pratt’s recent Wall Street Journal article. Pratt responded to a letter from George Brinton McClellan Harvey which suggested that following tension between Roosevelt and Republican leaders in the Senate, Roosevelt’s popularity would wane by the end of his second term. Roosevelt assures Pratt that he is not concerned with his personal popularity, but rather with doing what is good for the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-03
President Roosevelt thanks Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge for the “splendid” waistcoat, and comments that it is interesting that her great-grandmother gave a similar gift to George Washington. He is looking forward to seeing La Farge and her husband, and reminds her how much he appreciates their friendship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-06
President Roosevelt responds to Ray Stannard Baker’s letter about the proposed maximum rate laws for railroad shipping. While Roosevelt agrees that a minimum rate law may benefit more people, he is unsure if such a law would be upheld by the courts. He stresses the importance of writing a law that will not be overturned in court, even if it cannot meet the demands of the people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-28
President Roosevelt discusses the various busts of George Washington, and in particular praises the one by Jean Antoine Houdon. He tells French Ambassador Jusserand that a gift like the one from France makes him appreciate why everyone turns to the French to teach them “how to do those things which need in the doing the perfection of good taste.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-06
President Roosevelt reflects on the peace between Japan and Russia, especially discussing the Russian diplomat Sergei Witte and the future of Russia. He believes that Russia needs to take steps towards liberty and self-government. Roosevelt also tells George Otto Trevelyan about several books he has been reading and thanks him for his letter about the late Secretary of State John Hay. Roosevelt wishes that Trevelyan could come stay at the White House, and hopes that when his term as president is done, he can travel around the world as a private citizen, without having to attend official functions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-12
President Roosevelt shares his views on “easy divorce” among New York’s upper classes with Robert Grant, who recently wrote a magazine article on the topic. Roosevelt praises Japan’s military spending and bemoans the state of foreign affairs in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-14
President Roosevelt shares his views on the reciprocity treaties recently rejected by the Senate with Silas McBee. Roosevelt points out that George Washington himself concluded a treaty in 1796 that delegated all questions to arbitration. Moreover, the Senate recently ratified a treaty giving the president the power to refer claims to arbitration at the Hague. Roosevelt berates the individual senators as caring more about the “prerogative of the Senate” than the welfare of the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-16
President Roosevelt regrets to inform Edmund Wetmore that he cannot attend the banquet honoring George Washington being held by the Sons of the Revolution, but sends his best wishes for the occasion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-20
President Roosevelt declares to Charles Henry Butler that the extract from the treaty with Tripoli is most significant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-15
President Roosevelt asks General Lee if he can obtain a handwritten letter or letter and image of General Robert E. Lee for his collection of items from prominent leaders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-02
President Roosevelt thanks Victor Geza Fischer for the gifts and is amazed at Fischer’s ability to select gifts for him. Roosevelt particularly likes the letter of George Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-26
President Roosevelt congratulates John St. Loe Strachey and his wife on their three-year-old son, John Strachey, believing that “what really counts in this life is a full and happy home life.” Roosevelt believes that friendly critics do not need to only say pleasant things, but wishes that they would only say unpleasant things if that is truly their opinion. He remarks that when presented with a petition against the lynchings in America by English Peace Society, he agreed entirely with their position and told them that he believes all communities should condemn lynchings. The president concludes with a discussion about a third term.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-05
President Roosevelt informs his son Ted that he recently went on a ride with his mother, Edith Roosevelt, beyond Sligo Creek where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. On Saturday, the Roosevelts attended the wedding of Theodore Douglas Robinson and Helen Rebecca Roosevelt. On the following day, they visited Attorney General Knox at Valley Forge where the President gave an impromptu speech in support of efforts to build a memorial to George Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-21
Philippe Bunau-Varilla, an engineer of the Panama Canal, writes to the New York Evening Post to clarify publicly why he dropped his libel lawsuit against the newspaper. As Bunau-Varilla counters recent negative remarks made by the Post, he recounts his role in the Panama Canal’s construction, discusses the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair, and asserts that he is indifferent to further attacks from this newspaper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-31
President Roosevelt wishes for Nicholas Murray Butler to visit and concurs that William J. Calhoun is worthy of esteem. Roosevelt comments at length on an article in Collier’s Weekly, one he assumes was written by Norman Hapgood, and desires Butler to “know the exact facts.” On careful reading, Roosevelt believes the article was written with malicious intent due to its numerous falsehoods regarding the construction projects at the Capitol and the White House, the hiring of the architects completing these jobs, appointments of others to government posts, and other matters. In his explanation, Roosevelt makes analogies to many political situations, past and present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-03
President Roosevelt does not generally believe in comparing “great men” but he views George Washington as the “first American.” Washington was a soldier and statesman while Abraham Lincoln was not a soldier.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-13
Algernon Edward Sartoris informs President Roosevelt that Sartoris is now the father of a baby boy and his wife is doing well. He urges Roosevelt to run for a third term, deeming the practice of holding office for merely two terms “absurd in these days.” Due to Roosevelt’s established record, Sartoris feels he is the choice of the healthy young Republicans and of many Democrats of the Cleveland School. While in Paris, Sartoris met Roosevelt’s daughter, presumably Alice Roosevelt Longworth, whose impression he found pleasant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21