White House (Washington, D.C.)

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou details why Théobald Chartran’s painting depicting the signing of the “Protocols of Peace” between the United States and Spain in August, 1898, is not historically accurate. He does not want a 1902 letter from the French ambassador at the time, Jules Cambon, to be attached to the painting’s provenance. Cortelyou shares the letter and compares Cambon’s list of attendees with his own meticulous secretarial notes from the event. Neither the photograph Frances Benjamin Johnston took the day after the actual signing nor Chartran’s painting provide a completely accurate representation of the attendees and setting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-05

Letter from Mary Channing Wister to Theodore Roosevelt

Mary Channing Wister thanks President Roosevelt for the letter on behalf of her convalescent husband, Owen Wister, who will write personally when his health permits. He was disappointed to miss the chance to visit Roosevelt, and Mrs. Wister sends a paper and explanatory note that she had intended her husband to deliver. Her children are still delighted by their visit to the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

Letter from Louisa Lee Schuyler to Theodore Roosevelt

Louisa Lee Schuyler writes to President Roosevelt referencing a libel case of New Jersey vs. William Duane that was brought before Judges William Paterson and Richard Peters of the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia on October 11, 1800. Duane was indicted under the Sedition Act. Schuyler mentions it in case it has any bearings on the present government. Schuyler outlines her travel schedule and relays that she is hoping to see them in the White House before the end of February.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-24

Letter from Edward MacInall to Theodore Roosevelt

Prompted by Senator Benjamin R. Tillman’s rehashing of the Mrs. Morris incident of 1906, Edward MacInall offers his firsthand account of the incident. MacInall, who was in to see William Loeb that day, asserts that Laura A. Hull Morris was “not roughly handled” by the White House Office staff, and lends his support to President Roosevelt against the criticism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-13

Letter from James Bryce to William Loeb

Ambassador Bryce has been entrusted with delivering an oral message of goodwill to president-elect William H. Taft. The only opportunity he will have is at 11:45 Saturday night when Taft first arrives at the White House. He asks William Loeb if President Roosevelt would permit him to visit at that time to deliver the message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-13

Letter from Francis J. A. Darr to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis J. A. Darr writes to President Roosevelt to make amends for a mistake he made years ago concerning his belief that Laura A. Hull Morris had suffered after her treatment at the White House. Morris recently visited the Darr’s after being in the asylum and he now believes her to be insane. Darr has materials that could be used to prove this and would offer them up if needed. He has heard she is stirring up press and has even been in touch with Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Letter from J. H. Patterson to Theodore Roosevelt

J. H. Patterson explains to President Roosevelt that while the rains might not be over by May 1, they should not be inconvenient for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, as there is always fine weather at some part of the day, and there would be no worry about finding water. Patterson believes Roosevelt should be able to gather all the specimens and personal trophies he previously described. He recommends that Roosevelt travel in comfort, start slow, and gradually build up the endurance the safari will require. Patterson thanks Roosevelt for the invitation to the White House and if he comes, will bring some slides to show.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Letter from John Charles Black and Henry F. Greene to Theodore Roosevelt

John Charles Black and Henry F. Greene of the United States Civil Service Commission report to President Roosevelt that Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Beekman Winthrop has issued a certificate authorizing the transfer of William B. Dulany from the position of messenger at the White House to the position of class three clerk in the Office of the Auditor for the Navy Department. They review Dulany’s service, and the circumstances that allowed for this transfer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-12

Letter from Brander Matthews to Theodore Roosevelt

Brander Matthews informs President Roosevelt that his wife Ada Harland has already written to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about their enjoyable visit to the White House. Matthews informs Roosevelt he has asked his French bookseller to pass along “Conspiracy of Cataline” and “Cicero and His Friends,” which both provide knowledge of Roman life.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-10

Memorandum concerning certain naval uniforms worn at the White House

A naval commander seeks to clarify the use of naval uniforms in the White House. He notes that naval “service” uniforms are not suited for formal occasions, such as the afternoon teas Mrs. Roosevelt hosts where women or foreign visitors may be present.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-25

Letter from Mary Noailles Murfree to Theodore Roosevelt

Mary Noailles Murfree thanks President Roosevelt for his kind words about her books, including Down the Ravine. Murfree is glad Roosevelt enjoyed his bear hunt and that the experience evoked memories of her characters. Murfree is planning to travel to Washington, D.C., sometime in the winter and will gladly take up Roosevelt’s invitation to dine at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-26

Telegram from John Ireland to William Loeb

Archbishop Ireland writes to President Roosevelt’s secretary saying he just arrived and asks if Saturday would work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-20

Letter from John St. Loe Strachey to Theodore Roosevelt

John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for his letter, with which he agrees. Strachey does not understand how people think civil liberties do not need protecting. He worries that autocrats like Napoleon will feed on people’s unwillingness to stand up for what is right. Strachey hopes that they will meet again in October when he visits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee tells President Roosevelt of his and his wife’s, Ruth Moore Lee, travel plans to visit New York and Washington, D.C., including the addresses at which he can be reached. Lee asks when it would be most convenient for them to meet and discuss “the matter” and says they are delighted to spend a couple of nights at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-03

Letter from W. M. Johnson to William Loeb

W. M. Johnson resigns from his position as door keeper at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Letter from Charles Laurie McCawley to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Laurie McCawley heartily thanks President Roosevelt for his warm congratulations; he and his wife, Sarah Helen McCawley, appreciate his wishes for their happiness. McCawley thinks that Captain McCoy is “a most excellent” choice to fill his position and will do anything he can to assist McCoy in his new duties once he returns from sick leave. McCawley profusely thanks Roosevelt and his wife Edith for their kindness and friendship during his service at the White House. Mrs. McCawley echoes these thanks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-20

Letter from Denis J. Stafford to William Loeb

Denis J. Stafford, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, recommends George L. Thomas for the position of White House doorkeeper.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-21

Letter from Charles Wagner to Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Wagner confirms that he received a letter from President Roosevelt’s secretary, and he is happily anticipating dining at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-17

Telegram from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Whitelaw Reid asks President Roosevelt if he would like Alice Roosevelt Longworth to give up all social engagements until after the burial of Robert Barnwell Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-15

Letter from James A. Tawney to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Tawney apologizes for the delay in response to President Roosevelt’s letter. Tawney states there should be no issues with approving the sundry civil appropriation bill nor its allotment of funds for Roosevelt’s traveling expenses and the rehabilitation of the lower floors of the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-15