Your TR Source
President Roosevelt wants the Albatross to go the the Philippines next October as requested by Dean C. Worcester, Secretary of the Interior of the Philippine Islands. Roosevelt has enclosed a letter from Worcester for George Meade Bowers, Director of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, and would like to hear from Bowers as soon as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-27
President McKinley writes to accept the Republican Party’s nomination for President and accepts the platform. He discusses his desire to uphold the gold standard and refutes the opinions of those who support the silver standard. He also comments on international affairs, including the territorial government in Alaska and Hawaii, war loans from the Spanish American War, neutrality policies in the Boer War, law and order in Cuba, and holdings in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. He also comments on domestic issues including civil service reform, the volume of United States currency, and domestic shipping. Finally, McKinley comments on insurrection and peace treaties in the Philippines, asserting his desire for peace and that no person be “deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1900-09-10
William Dinwiddie asks Theodore Roosevelt to look over an open letter by Dean C. Worcester, Secretary of the Interior of the Philippine Islands, which speaks out against “the men who have caused the United States Government thousands of dollars of expense in investigating a mass of allegations, misstatements and deliberate falsehoods, as to the situation in the Philippines.” Dinwiddie provides his impressions of the letter and more broadly of the Philippines, concluding that the islands are sparsely populated with a great deal of land that is ripe for cultivation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-15
Adolph Geismar commends Theodore Roosevelt’s pamphlet “American Problems.” He comments on the many good men and women of the world he has shared friendships with. He assures Roosevelt of his admiration and hopes he will visit St. Johnland Home in Kings Park, Long Island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-21
Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
W. Cameron Forbes reports on his work in the Insular Government of the Philippines, which he states is understaffed. Forbes notes that the Commission has taken several important measures towards increasing autonomy of the Filipino people, most notably giving them the power to elect the third member of the provincial board. Business conditions are generally improving, with a decrease in imports and positive attitudes from the merchant class. Forbes considers the lack of good roads and the deterioration of those that exist to be the greatest failure of American efforts in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-05
Captain McIntyre writes to President Roosevelt about a cable received from Secretary of War Taft from Cuba. Taft is concerned about vacancies in the Philippine Commission and recommends the appointment of W. Morgan Shuster. Though brash, Shuster is qualified and is popular among Filipinos. McIntyre forwards all of the cablegrams regarding the appointment. He asks that Roosevelt reply with his decision so he can update Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
Henry C. Ide writes to Secretary of War Taft about the illness of Dean C. Worcester. If Worcester leaves, quorum on the Philippine Commission is broken. With two others on leave, Ide says vacancies need to be filled.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
Brigadier General Smith reports to Secretary of War Taft that he has assumed his duties as Governor General of the Philippines, and he thanks President Roosevelt and Taft for their well wishes. Dean C. Worcester’s heart problems have worsened, and although he continues to work, a replacement on the commission should be found as soon as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
Governor General of the Philippines Smith reports to Secretary of War Taft that Dean C. Worcester is very sick with maltreated Bright’s Disease and is out of work for two months. His wife Nanon Leas Worcester is in California and asks that the matter be kept confidential.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-23
Exhibit C contains correspondence regarding the publication and criticism of Edgar M. Ledyard’s pamphlet “Lessons on Familiar Philippine Animals” which was intended for use by the Bureau of Education in Manila. The pamphlet had a number of grammatical and scientific errors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-26
Governor General Taft informs Secretary of War Root that the contract for purchase of lands owned by the Catholic friars in the Philippines has been signed. Taft also discusses the issuance of Philippine Land Purchase Bonds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23
Assistant Secretary of War Sanger believes that Bernard Moses could be removed from the Philippine Commission and that Dean C. Worcester may soon leave to enter into business.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-19
Governor General Taft encloses a passage from a personal letter to Secretary of War Elihu Root that pertains to the Philippines. Taft sent a letter to several individuals on the Taft Commission stating that the United States had no “dollars interest” in the islands, and the recipients agreed that it was the truth.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-26
Governor of the Philippines Taft defends Frank S. Bourns and his business, the Philippine Lumber and Development Company. Bourns has had close relations with the Philippine Commission and played an important role in the Filipino Federal Party. Taft denies Bourns received preferential treatment from the government and considers his ability to diminish distrust and suspicion among Filipinos to be very valuable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-11