448 May 20, 1903 His Excellency, Tomas Estrada Palma, President of the Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba I extend my hearty congratulations in the name of the American people to you and the people of Cuba on this anniversary of her independence, and for the progress she has made and the well-being she has achieved during the past year. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. (Official) 449 May 20, 1903. My dear young Friend: It was very good of you to give me the souvenir plates for Mrs. Roosevelt and myself, and I thank you heartily. I send you my photograph, with all good wishes for your future. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Master Darrel W. Papst Sisson, California.450 395 May 21, 1903. Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C. Personal. Please consult with Root and Cartelyou and decide if it would be advisable for us to contribute one hundred dollars to some fund for the relief of the Russian Jews. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. (Official)451 Portland, Oregon, May 22, 1903. My dear Sir: I thank you for your letter and the photograph of your interesting family. Please express to Mrs. Burke and receive for yourself my hearty congratulations. You are both good citizens and you and your children have my best wishes. [*Good luck go with you!*] Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. J.B. Burke, Harrison, Nebr.452 Personal. Portland, Oregon, May 21, 1903 My dear Commissioner Richards: I have been greatly interested in what Governor Chamberlain, of Oregon, and Mr. Scott, of The Oregonian, have told me in reference to the forest reserves in the western portion of the State. Both gentlemen say that formerly the railroads benefited immensely by the extension of the reserves to cover their land, which enabled them thereby to exchange the scrip for very much more valuable land elsewhere in consolidated bodies. They tell me, moreover, that on the proposed reservations in Southern Oregon a wagon road company. will profit enormously, as well as a railroad company. Will you kindly have competent investigation made, and have your representative not only personally investigate on the ground but see Governor Chamberlain and Mr. Scott, and go over the whole matter with them. The very fact of my anxiety to extend the various reserves as rapidly as we can makes me unwilling to extend them in any way that will do damage instead of benefit to the cause. Please also have your representative explain in full to both Governor453 Chamberlain and Mr. Scott exactly what the policy of the Department is in the management of these reserves; that they are held for the permanent benefit of the [nation?], the ranchman, etc [everyman?], Very truly yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Wm. A. Richards, Commissioner of the Land Office, Washington, D.C.454 Personal. Portland, Oregon, May 22, 1903. My dear Mr. Cortelyou: I think I ought to wait and see Hopkins before having the appointment of Murray made. Hopkins and Lorimer, who have been my open and staunch supporters, have been much disappointed because it has proved to be out of the question to meet their wishes as regards the turning out of certain officials in Chicago, I do not want to give them the feeling that I am slighting them or passing them over, unless it is absolutely necessary. Good luck! Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Geo. B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C.455 (Written copy sent) May 22, 1903, My dear Dr. von Hollenben: I wish I could have had the good fortune to be in Washington to say good-bye to you in person. I shall always think with pleasure of our association. You will remember when we both went up to Harvard-you to get a degree, and I to attend my class reunion. I earnestly hope I shall see you in the not distant future. If ever you come to America, privately or in public capacity, be sure to let me know so that I can have you at my house. With great regard, Sincerely yours, (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt. Herr von Holleben, Care of the State Department.456 450 Personal. Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. Dear John: I think that the Dickey outcome is entirely satisfactory. I have notified Frye, sending to him your official letter. As for China, I do not see that there is anything we can say, even by way of suggestion. The mendacity of the Russians is something appaling. The bad feature of the situation from our standpoint is that [*we may*] as yet [*conclude*] it seems that we cannot fight to keep Manchuria open. I hate being in the position of seeming to bluster without backing it up. When I get back I shall have to go over the whole China situation with you. That you have handled it in a most masterly manner I need hardly say; now I would like to try to get some idea of what we are to do in the future. I have suggested to Moody that we send a first-class battleship from our squadron from the Azores to go up with the older cruisers of the European squadron to Kiel. As you say, the attitude of the German government is puerile, but if457 we can save nice Speck's head by giving a battleship a voyage I shall be delighted to do so. Ever yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. 458 333 Personal. Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Will: Your letter made much clearer to me what I had not previously understood, for I had not exactly appreciated the financial reasons, which most certainly you are bound to consider. Now, old man, whatever you decide to do I shall be absolutely satisfied, and shall believe not only that you have done what you thought right but what actually was right. I wonder if you realize how much I respect and admire you! Ever faithfully yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Wm. H. Taft, Governor of the Philippine Islands, Manila, P. I.459 Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Mr. Shillock: Nothing but the fact that from the knees down I was as wet as if I had been wading in a trout brook could have prevented me from going around to see you at the Press Club. I am very sorry. I need hardly say, my dear sir, that I accept with great appreciation the honorary membership. With hearty regard, believe me, Sincerely yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Mr. Max M. Shillock, President of the City Press Club, 704 Marquam Building, Portland, Oregon.460 Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Senator Frye: The enclosed letter explains itself. I am very sorry to have to send it; but it is evidently out of the question for Dickey to be reinstated. I have had on the whole a very successful trip in the West. I wish I could see you. Sincerely yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Wm. P. Frye, Lewiston, Maine. Enclosure.462 287 Personal. Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Doctor Shaw: If I could accept Mr. Edgar's request I should be delighted, but it simply cannot be done. I was at Detroit last year. I should give just offense to other cities of equal importance--such, for instance, as Columbus--if I now slighted them by going a second time to Detroit. I cannot possibly do it. When I am through my present trip, including a speech in Maryland and another in Virginia, I want to stop short in speaking and thereafter to make as few speeches as possible, choosing my places most carefully. I have had all kinds of requests to attend mining congresses, irrigation congresses, live stock congresses, and the like, and have refused them all. I could not begin by going to the milling congress. I shall have much to tell you about this trip when I get home. Faithfully yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Dr. Albert Shaw, 13 Astor Place, New York, N. Y.463 419 Personal. Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. Dear Cabot: I was delighted with your letter about the Post Office Department. I am confident that when I get home I can clear the matter up [?] I shall act decisively and clearly, and at the same time make a statement showing exactly what has been done, and that my course has simply been to cut out rottenness which had existed in the Department long before my term. I am inclined to be thankful that Machen is an inheritance from Cleveland. Moody has been a real comfort. I have grown to like and respect him more and more. He is one of the strong men in public life and a first class fellow to boot. I have had a trip which I think can fairly be called successful, and much of it I have enjoyed. But I am horribly jaded in body and mind, and the work has now become inexpressibly irksome and wearisome. I am more glad than I can say that a fortnight more will see the end of it. My voice has stood the strain well, and so far I do not think I have made any slip--although I was rather exasperated at the apparently general acceptance of the outrageous lie that I had been464 kissing babies. There are certain things, which are not matters of morals but of good taste, which I ought not even to be asked to deny! Give my love to Nannie. I am so glad you have been able to ride with Edith. Faithfully yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Hon. H. C. Lodge, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. 465 442 Personal. Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Mr. Secretary; When I left the Park I wrote Gillespie that Captain Chittenden of the Engineers ought to be kept there for another year, as I felt it would be a great misfortune to have him changed with his work undone, inasmuch as this work is of real importance and as he is doing it admirably. I have not heard from the case and so I write in order that it may not slip the memory of the Department. Sincerely yours, [signed] Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of War. P.S. I may add that this action was taken not only without Captain Chittenden's knowledge, but, when he casually heard of it, against his protest, purely because I deemed it beneficial from the standpoint of the public service.466 Tacoma, Washington, May 22, 1903. My dear Madam: May I thank you and the other donors of the two pictures most heartily, not only the value of the gifts but for the warm and kindly words with which you send them? With renewed thanks, believe me, Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt Annice F. Jeffreys, M.D., Portland, Oregon.467 424 Personal. Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mr. Payne: Many thanks for your letter. I shall take up the whole matter of the postal business with you just as soon as I get back. Meanwhile I should advise against your issuing any further statements whatever. I do not think it well to let the answers and statements go out piecemeal. When I get back we will go into the matter and endeavor to close it just as quickly as possible--that is, as quickly as is compatible with thoroughness of investigation, and then we can make [have] one clear cut definite statement issued, which shall recapitulate the whole matter showing what has been done. I have regretted Senator Hanna's action in the Ohio Convention, and in view of his last utterance, which is of course sheer nonsense and insincere nonsense at that. I do not understand his saying that the Ohio Republicans could not with propriety at this time take the action concerning me which at a corresponding period in President McKinley's first administration Mr. Hanna was most anxious I should take, and which I did take. If Mr. Hanna is for me there could be no possible468 objection to his saying so. Of course he has a perfect right to be against me, but if such is the case [the] [*his*] action should be based [correctly] [*explicitly*] on that ground, and not on grounds which are foolish. I have had a great trip, [and] [*but*] am feeling anxious to get back and have my hands on the levers once more. Besides, I am of course jaded and tired, and have delivered all my "messages," so that I do not feel that I have anything else to say. With warm regards to Mrs. Payne, Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. H. C. Payne Postmaster General, Washington, D.C.469 463 Personal. Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. Dear Cabot: Edith writes me that she thinks you are better, which has relieved me much. Evidently she has been a good deal worried about you. Well, thank heaven, to-morrow I turn my face toward the East, and ten days afterwards my work will have ceased. This has been a great trip, and I believe a very useful one, but I am so jaded, and [whenever] more weary and bored and it almost seems as if I could not go through the remainder of the speech-making. It has been very interesting out here however. Most of the people out here believe that Cleveland will be nominated on the Democratic ticket, and that he will be a very formidable man to beat--probably the most formidable Democrat. If nominated he will drive certain Democrats away. For instance, the Governor of Nevada and the Mayor of Carson, both Democrats, told me that they should vote for me if Cleveland were nominated; but I find that Pierepont Morgan and other Wall Street men have been announcing openly within the past fortnight that they should support Mr. Cleveland against me with all their power. They would draw a great many votes470 both from the dis[interested]honest rich and the fool respectable classes. Meanwhile Hanna seems to be showing his hand definitely in Ohio. I regard his interview as insincere. He has a perfect right to be against me, and openly and avowedly, but it is nonsense to oppose my endorsement on the grounds that he alleges. Puget Sound is a most marvelous and beautiful body of water, and the snow-capped mountain chains which surround it make a fit background. Give my love to Nannie, Ever yours, Theodore Roosevelt If Helen Hay & her husband have spoken as was reported to you about the army & navy officers, they have been guilty of silly and vicious snobbery as well as of hideous treachery to doubt your patriotism. Hon. H. C. Lodge, United States Senate, Washington , D.C.471 Personal. Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mr. Holls: The same mail that brought your letter brought me one from Secretary Hay informing me that you had sent a copy of your Letter to Mr. Loomis, who had of course showed it to him. Your note did not annoy me in the least for it was too amusing. As the Secretary remarked, he was about as likely to do what you feared as he was in my absence to make Mormonism the State Church. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Frederick W. Holls, 120 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 472 456 personal. Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903 Dear John: The same mail brought me your letter and Holls', and I laughed so overs yours that I felt writing Holls a note of personal gratitude. Instead, however, I enclose herewith one which, if you think it meets the case, please have sealed and forwarded. I am glad that what I said about Taft and Wood pleased you. Did it appear in the papers generally? Of course what I was gunning for was the crowd which had seized upon wood's absence from the country to make these [infamous] assaults upon [??]. the Evening Post and Springfield Republican made them simply as parts of their whole scheme of conduct toward the army- and the Sun joined in with its usual crooked morality on the theory that to accuse Wood of base conduct while Governor of Cuba under McKinley would be a fitting rebuke to me for letting Knox carry on a suit , on behalf of the [???] which the Federal Court has unanimously decided in its favor. Ever yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State, Washington D. C.473 368 Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mr. Philbin: I am very much obliged to you for the extract from Father Wynne's letter, and naturally am greatly pleased with it. You have been a very great help to me in more than one way, my dear sir--and when I say help I mean help in trying to secure the policies of fair dealing and efficiency. I look forward to seeing you soon after I return. With hearty regard, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. Eugene A. Philbin, 52 William Street, New York, N.Y.474 Seattle Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mrs. Ashton: I thank you for the beautiful flowers which you sent me. I am so glad to catch a glimpse of you. It would have been very pleasant if I could have breakfasted with you; but alas, no such pleasures are for me during a trip of this kind. With renewed thanks, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mrs. M. Frances Ashton, 1024 North D Street, Tacoma, Washington.475 Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mr. Smith: Pray accept my hearty thanks for your letter of the 22nd, and for the kindly expressions which you are pleased to make. I value your good opinion. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. D.C. Smith, Puyallup, Washington.476 Seattle Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Mr. Perkins: I thank you most warmly for the bear skin. It is a beauty and will be a great ornament to the While House. It was exceedingly kind of you to sent it. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. S. A. Perkins, Tacoma Washington Personal. Seattle, Washington, May 23, 1903. My dear Secretary: I am very sorry, but in this one case of Chittenden I am going to ask that the order be revoked and Chittenden be left where he is for a year. He is in the midst of doing a very delicate bit of work along the Yellowstone Canon, and from my personal experience I feel that he ought to be kept there for another year. Let me hasten to say that the "pressure and influence" against which you have with such success striven, and from which you have freed the War Department, has nothing to do with this case. As I think I wrote you before, Captain Chittenden protested against being kept at the Park on the very ground that he believed his retention there would be ascribed to influence of some kind. Three of four people at the Park, it is true, asked that he be kept -- one of them being the very man I was told would most object to it because Chittenden had in some way antagonized him and the interest he represented. I desire it done purely because I consider it for the good of the service. I think it most undesirable that a man be kept anywhere for political reasons; but I have seen enough of naval administration at first hand to feel very strongly that next to appointment and transfer for political reasons, most damage is done by an iron- clad system which never permits a useful man to stay in a given position2. of usefulness, even when called for by the good of the service. Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of War, Washington D.C. P.S. I enclose a letter which is evidently being generally sent out by that swine Herbert Welsh. What does the creature mean by the report having been "suppressed?" As I understood it, not only has the report been published, but Miles, after having furtively stirred up the demand for its publication, has written asking why it has been published. I shall go over the whole matter with you when I return. May 25, 1903. Hon. George E. Green, Society of American Authors, The Waldorf-Astoria, New York, N.Y. It is with real regret that I find myself unable to be with you at your dinner in honor of the memory of the man to whom American literature, American philosophy and American citizenship owes so much. Theodore Roosevelt (Official)Personal. Walla Walla, Washington, May 25, 1903. My dear Senator Hanna: The nearer I get to Washington the greater are the arrears of work that loom before me. I ought not to be absent at the time of the wedding a single hour more than I have to. I shall start on the 9th in time to reach your house by eight o'clock on the morning of the 10th. If possible, I think I ought to return that same evening after dinner. It would be a pleasure to me if I could stay over the following day, but I really ought not to. I have been away from Washington a long time, and I shall have so much work to do that I shall be thoroughly uneasy and uncomfortable till I get back and start to attending to it. So if you do not object I shall arrange to leave Cleveland, say about ten o'clock in the evening and return straight to Washington. I wish to get a chance to talk with you about the Panama Canal business; also about the proposed financial legislation for next winter. I hope that you have been withAllison, and that the tariff planks in the Ohio and Iowa platforms will be near enough alike to avoid trouble. With warm regards to Mrs. Hanna, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. M.A. Hanna, Cleveland, Ohio.481 May 25, 1903. W.F. Sanders, Montana Wesleyan University, Helena, Montana. Your letter received. Regret very much it is not feasible for the President to meet your wishes Wm. Loeb, Jr., Secretary (official)482 Walla Walla, Washington May 25, 1903 Gentlemen: Permit me to thank you most heartily not only for the beautiful set of tea things which will be an ornament in the White House, but for your courteous letter of greeting. The astonishing growth and progress of Japan during the last half century, and especially during the last twenty-five years, have been one of the most remarkable features of the time; and it is a pleasure thus to be greeted by you, personally and because of your nationality. With regard, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. Chas. Sasaki, and Mr. C.T. Takahashi, Seattle, Washington483 Walla Walla, Washington, May 25, 1903. My dear young friend: I want to thank you for your salmon. I shall have to tell my own boys how you caught it. None of them near your age ever caught such a fish as this, and indeed I do not think any of them ever caught a salmon at all. I was glad to see you the other day, and I liked the way you addressed me as “Mr. President.” Your friend, Theodore Roosevelt Master George Caesar, Care of Mr. Philip Caesar, Tacoma, Washington484 Walla Walla Washington May 25, 1903. My dear Mr. Scroggs: You please me greatly by the presentation of the Esquimaux Battle Axe, and I am especially pleased, my dear sir, by the kind words which accompany it. With hearty thanks, believe me, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. L. M. Scroggs, North Yakima, Washington.485 Walla Walla, Washington, May 25, 1903. My dear Mr. Cannon: Could you not join me on the morning of Wednesday, June 3rd, at Freeport, Ill., where we arrive at eight o’clock, and go through Illinois with me? There is very much I shall have to talk over with you, and it would be not only a great personal pleasure but of real use to me if you could come with me. With high regard, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. Jos. G. Cannon, Danville, Ill.486 472 Personal. Walla Walla, Washingon, May 25, 1903. Dear John: What do you think of the enclosed? Would it do any good for me to say a word in behalf of the Jews such as asked for, or would it do harm? I suppose it would be very much like the Czar expressing his horror of our lynching negroes; although the number of the outrages on the Jews was infinitely greater than all the lynchings of the negroes since the civil war put together. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.487 May 26, 1903. O.F. Page, Mayor, Sandpoint, Idaho. Telegram received. Regret very much it will not be feasible to make stop at Sandpoint, Wm. Loeb, Jr. Secretary. (Official)488 486 May 26, 1903. Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State, Washington D.C. Following message has been sent to Navy Department: "President directs that European squadron with battleship added for occasion visit Keil June twenty-fifth." Have we definite assurance that this will be agreeable to German Emperor? Theodore Roosevelt. (Official )[*489*] Spokane, Washington, May 26, 1903. My dear Mr. Parsons: It is a matter of real regret to me that I cannot be present at the dinner to my friend Captain Goddard. Not only do I value him as a friend, but I have always felt that if we had a few more men like him, each to do in his district the work that Captain Goddard has done in his, the gain for decent government would be literally incalcuable. With great regard and sincere regret that I shall not have finished my trip in time to attend the dinner, I am, Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt Good luck be with you all - and especially with Captain Goddard. Mr. Herbert Parsons, 52 William Street, New York, N. Y.490 469 Strictly personal. Helena, Montana, May 27, 1903. Dear Cabot: For your private information I would like you to know that following three telegrams passed between myself and Senator Hanna: "Cleveland, Ohio, May 23, 1903. The President Seattle, Washington. The [ireze?] which has been forced upon me in the matter of our state convention this year endorsing you for the Republican nomination next year has come in a way which makes it necessary for me to oppose such a resolution. When you know all the facts I am sure you will approve my course. M. A. Hanna." "May 25, 1903. Hon. M. A. Hanna, Cleveland, Ohio. Your telegram received I have not asked any man for his support. I have had nothing whatever to do with raising this issue. Inasmuch as it has been raised of course those who favor my administration and my nomination will favor endorsing both and those who do not will oppose. Theodore Roosevelt." Cleveland, Ohio, May 26, 1903. The President. Your telegram of the 25th. In view of the sentiment expressed I shall not oppose the endorsement of your administration and candidacy by our state convention. I have given the substance of this to the Associated Press. M. A. Hanna." After the receipt of the first I thought over the matter a full 24 hours consulting with Mellon, Byrnes and Moody, and decided that the time has come to stop scilly-shallying, and let Hanna know definitely that I did not intend to assume the position at least passively, of a suppliant491 2. to whom he might give the nomination as a boon. I have accordingly sent him my answer, and as you doubtless saw made a similar statement for the public press, of course not alluding to the fact that Hanna had sent me the telegram-my statement simply going as one made necessary by Hanna's long interview in which he announced that he would oppose my endorsement by the Ohio Convention. I rather expected Hanna to fight, but made up my mind that it was better to have a fight in the open at once than to run the risk of being knifed secretly. Mellon and also Loeb were confident that he would not fight. The result proved that they were right as his last telegram shows. I am pleased at the outcome as it simplifies things all around, for in my judgment Hanna was my only formidable opponent so far as the nomination is concerned. I have had a great reception here in the West, and yesterday at Spokane made what I consider my best speech which I think will be given out perhaps under a [?] headline in the papers to-morrow. If so, I would like you to read it. I made it particularly with reference to having a knockdown and dragout fight with Hanna and the whole Wall Street crowd, and I wanted them to understand that if they so desire they [should] shall have all the fighting they wish. At the same time I wished the labor people to absolutely understand that I set my face like flint against violence and lawlessness of any kind on their part, just as much as against arrogant greed by the rich, and that I would be as quick to go against one as the other. I think I made my position clear, [?] [?] This whole incident has served one temporarily useful purpose, for it has entirely revived me. I was feeling jaded and tired. The trip has been very severe and I have gotten so I cannot sleep well--which always tells onone. But this last business gave me a new and vivid interest in life. Now, thank heavens, I have little more than a week left. The last three days in Iowa and Illinois will be be the worst. Give my love to Nannie. Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt Hon. H.C. Lodge, United States Senate, Washington D.C. P.S. Tell Murray Crane that early in July I may want to see him, perhaps to have him meet President Mellon of the Northern Pacific, and one of two other friends so as to begin taking measures concerning New York. That is the State which I think needs most looking after. Copy of telegram. May 27, 1903. Hon. M.A. Hanna, Cleveland, Ohio. I thank you for your telegram and appreciate your action. Theodore Roosevelt.Butte, Montana, May 27, 1903. Darling Alice: I was really delighted with your letter, and before I received it I had been very much pleased with all I had heard of how you had acted in Puerto Rico. I am very much pleased that you found the visit so interesting and it was a good thing in more ways than one. You were of real service down there because you make those people feel that you liked them and took an interest in them and your presence was accepted as a great compliment. Tell mother that you and I will leave for Cleveland about five o'clock on the 9th. It is probable we shall simply stay the day and on the evening of the 10th at seven o'clock back. We may stay over the 10th. I am feeling pretty well tired, but the trip has been a useful one, and I think it has been of service in more ways than one. I have been literally loaded down with gifts of every kind and description. I fear there are only a very few of them to which mother will consent to give house room, although494 I shall have to preserve most, as many of them are of great value, as far as expense goes, and as I am pass the donors will be inquiring after them. There are a number of minor [??] however, which can be distributed among my [offspring]. I rather think you will like Josiah and [??]. So far he is very good tempered and radicle around every where like a little beam. Submitting with perfect equa[??] to being picked up, and spending much of his time is worrying the ends of anybody's trousers. Ask De Goodrich if he got any letter. Good-bye blessed girl, I like your letter very much indeed. Your loving father, Theodore Roosevelt Miss Alice Lee Roosevelt, White House Washington, D. C.