Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks Judge McSurley for sending him the anecdote, which made him laugh. He jokingly tells McSurley not to let Henry Watterson get ahold of it because he “will die of apoplexy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-09
President Roosevelt enjoyed Senator Hansbrough’s letter and enclosure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-26
Michael D. Collins hopes Theodore Roosevelt is amused.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-25
Finley Peter Dunne hopes that President Roosevelt is not offended by any of his recent jokes in writing Mr. Dooley. He had not thought that his writing had gone too far until people who oppose Roosevelt had approached him with praise, and he now fears that people may take the jokes too seriously sometimes. Dunne also tells Roosevelt what he has seen of popular opinion towards him in the country, saying that people by and large are very affectionate towards him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-07
Nicholas Murray Butler returns Senator Crane’s letter. Butler dined with the Robinsons and they enjoyed sharing stories of their mutual friend, President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-09
Cecil Spring Rice sends best wishes for the new year. His letter varies in tone from reflective to humorous. After joking about President Roosevelt’s famous line about a big stick, Spring Rice discusses the determination of the Japanese and the Russian soldiers fighting in Manchuria. The British and the American embassies in St. Petersburg are scenes of intrigue as Russian agents try to steal diplomatic secrets.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-06
Cecil Spring Rice congratulates President Roosevelt on the election results. There is tension in Russia. He writes about the North Sea Incident (also known as the Dogger Bank Incident). He was disappointed by Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour’s speech. Having agreed to an international commission to review the actions of the Russian navy and the British fishing boats, Balfour should not have declared that the Russians were guilty. Until the British made naval preparations, the Russians were refusing to investigate. Diplomatic requests are not recognized by the Russians unless backed by force, according to Spring Rice. Spring Rice notes that Germany’s embassy is busy visiting and bringing messages to the Russian government. Germany is aiding Russia in the Far East so as to get leverage in Europe. Spring Rice believes the goal is to bring England into war with Russia. Spring Rice does not believe Robert Sanderson McCormick, the American ambassador, is suited to work in Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11
Commissioner of Pensions Ware quotes a humorous excerpt from a letter that showcases President Roosevelt’s appeal to the public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-19
John Morley’s speech at the annual dinner of the Chamber of Commerce in 1904. Morley praises President Roosevelt and comments on Roosevelt’s announcement that he will not run in 1908.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15
Senator Alger jokes with President Roosevelt about anticipating election results.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-14
William Wingate Sewall sends congratulations to President Roosevelt on the recent election results. Sewall is extremely pleased by the outcome. He also includes a sarcastic commentary about the Democratic candidate, Judge Alton B. Parker, to amuse Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-12
A photograph of President Roosevelt with the caption, “For Roosevelt, more children, less trusts,” is printed in this German-language newspaper. The traditional saying, “Long may he live!” is also printed here in German.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15
A short newspaper item traces President Roosevelt’s Scottish ancestry. An accompanying drawing depicts Roosevelt wearing a tartan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-12
A humorous certificate, usually issued when sailors cross the Equator for the first time, names Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt “one of our trusty shellbacks” and an honorary member of the Ancient Order of the Deep.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-06
Theodore Roosevelt comments on Oscar K. Davis’ letter regarding Judge Oscar Richard Hundley and William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Ernest Harvier regarding some “humorous” but “lamentable” events. Roosevelt also indicates that he received a letter from Thomas E. Watson and invites Harvier to stop by and read his reply.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-16
Theodore Roosevelt tells J. William White that he has written to Captain Rice, and he will allow White to keep the letter from Dernburg. Roosevelt is impressed by creative descriptions of President Wilson, and he declares that Wilson is a more “noxious man” than Secretary of State Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
President Roosevelt facetiously tells William Sturgis Bigelow to come soon and see an “alien who would like to be a Cabot by adoption.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-30
President Roosevelt is not sure if a statement by him about the best accomplishments of his presidency would be worth having, and says that he would “need the wit of an Abraham Lincoln” in order to do it well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
President Roosevelt updates his daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth on some of the recent events that have happened at Oyster Bay, including a visit from Secretary of War William H. Taft and a humorous comment Quentin Roosevelt made about his legs getting sunburnt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-29