Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Allan Robinson for the information about a potential candidate for Commissioner General of Immigration, likely William Williams. However, he doubts whether he can appoint Williams to the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-09
When it was announced that President Roosevelt would create a committee to investigate the conditions at Ellis Island, the author was convinced that there would be no results to show for Roosevelt’s efforts. However, after seeing initial evidence from witnesses after they testified, the author reverses his opinion on the effectiveness of Roosevelt’s committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903
President Roosevelt informs District Attorney Burnett that Edward H. Van Ingen and William Williams visited him regarding Edward F. McSweeney. They presented him with evidence that McSweeney is lying, and he does not see clemency as an option.
1903-02-12
President Roosevelt informs Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he met with Edward H. Van Ingen and agrees with their plan of action via letter. Roosevelt has already written to District Attorney Henry L. Burnett about the letter and plans to meet with Burnett, Van Ingen, and William Williams together. He also comments on the trust legislation and the actions of Congressmen George Frisbie Hoar and Charles E. Littlefield. Roosevelt encloses a letter to New York Police Commissioner F. V. Greene and discusses the information he provided Greene.
1903-02-17
President Roosevelt hopes that Joseph Bucklin Bishop will visit him in Oyster Bay. Roosevelt discusses Henry Loomis Nelson’s articles in the press and hopes that William Williams has responded. He encloses one of Nelson’s articles and comments on Nelson’s criticism and lies about Roosevelt’s friends and politics.
1903-08-03
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop regarding “dishonorable and untruthful” articles written by Henry Loomis Nelson in the Boston Herald. He asks for Bishop’s advice on how to best respond to Nelson in the press.
1903-07-21
President Roosevelt agrees with Joseph Bucklin Bishop regarding the actions of William Williams, but wishes that the issue could be resolved with a little more finesse.
1903-01-29
President Roosevelt informs Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he favors William Williams, who has been recommended by Edward H. Van Ingen and James R. Sheffield, for the position.
1902-03-29
President Roosevelt counsels Robert Watchorn on how to perform his duties as the newly appointed commissioner of immigration. He also asks Watchorn to give his assistant Joe Murray a fair trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-19
President Roosevelt writes confidentially to Gifford Pinchot concerning the resignation of William Williams as Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island. Although Roosevelt believes that Williams has done invaluable work, he has difficulty working and socializing with men of lower social standing and has been unable to get along with his assistant Joe Murray. Roosevelt offered to transfer Murray, but Williams would only accept Mr. Robinson as his replacement; a situation which Commissioner General Frank P. Sargent deemed to be unacceptable. Roosevelt has offered the position of Commissioner to Robert Watchorn and provides a copy of the letter sent to Watchorn apprising him of the whole affair.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-19
President Roosevelt believes it was a mistake for the Commissioner of Immigration William Williams and Immigrant Inspector Richard K. Campbell to send papers for Giulio Cesare Montagna of the Italian embassy to sign. Italian ambassador Edmondo Mayor des Planches has protested the action. Roosevelt has therefore given instructions that “no money is to be collected from non representing foreign powers in a diplomatic capacity of any kind.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-07
President Roosevelt asks Collector of Customs in New York City Stranahan for his advice about Deputy Commissioner of Ellis Island Joe Murray. Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island William Williams and Murray are having difficulties getting along, and Roosevelt wonders if there is another position that would pay at least $3,000 where he could put Murray by March 4.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-24
President Roosevelt appointed Eugene Philbin to investigate Commissioner Williams because he knows that he will be true to a man’s character. The report must be clear because the public will not draw inferences. This is a minor matter and Roosevelt thanks Philbin for the thorough investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-02
President Roosevelt would be pleased to have dinner with the Ellis Island Commission and to have Arthur von Briesen meet Commissioner of Immigration for the Port of New York William Williams, Commissioner General of Immigration Frank P. Sargent, Secretary of Commerce and Labor George B. Cortelyou, and Commissioner of Corporations James Rudolph Garfield.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-05
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Commissioner Williams regarding the McSweeney matter that he would like to see published.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-15
President Roosevelt would like to meet with General Henry L. Burnett, Edward H. Van Ingen, and Commissioner William Williams regarding the Edward F. McSweeney matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-17
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from William Williams regarding representatives of Hebrew and Italian societies attending courts of inquiry. Roosevelt would like to discuss the matter with Lucius Nathan Littauer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-30
President Roosevelt does not believe that Colonel Shepard would be the right man for an unnamed position and suggests that Thomas Roberts Slicer meet with the new Commissioner of Immigration, William Williams.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-24
President Roosevelt supports William Williams and believes that he can clean up the management of Ellis Island. Roosevelt also disregards reports of discrimination against Irish immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-23
Chauncey E. Hackett shares with Theodore Roosevelt that he has received orders to travel to Winnipeg, Canada, which he has protested but has been met with leave of absence without pay for an indefinite period. Hackett lists to Roosevelt his reasons for not being able to go and hopes he can offer his help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-22