Description:

Roosevelt Theodore 1858 - 1919 Theodore Roosevelt TLS about his "drunken persona" and libel lawsuit in 1913.

Single page TLS, 6.75" X 7.25", on The Outlook, 287 Fourth Avenue, New York letterhead. Dated "May 24th, 1913", and signed by him as "Theodore Roosevelt". Near fine with light toning and expected folds. Provenance: last sold in 1986 at Christie's New York as a part of lot 220.

An excellent letter to Ernest Harvest, an attorney, discussing an outcome of his libel suit against a man who accused the former president of drunkenness. The "event" precipitating into a lawsuit initiated by Roosevelt is described below:

What happens when you print in a newspaper the accusation that a former president of the United States "gets drunk not infrequently"? That's exactly what happened in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Marquette County in 1912. A local newspaper called the "Iron Ore" accused Theodore Roosevelt of public drunkenness in an editorial. The result was a libel trial that not only made history locally, but made waves across the country and internationally as well. If not for this trial, we might have viewed Roosevelt and his legacy very differently. Rumors of Roosevelt's drinking and misconduct was running rampant across the country. Roosevelt's loud and boisterous attitude was being mistaken for intoxication.

A story told by newspaper reporter Jay Hayden, who was following Roosevelt during the 1912 campaign for the Detroit News, illustrates the extent of the problem:

"I was told to board a train en route to the (Republican)convention at Toledo and find Roosevelt, who was reported aboard. Peeking into various compartments, I found the Colonel alone and reading. We had a sparkling half-hour of warm conversation before other visitors intruded.

"I scarcely had stepped from the train in Chicago before I began hearing that Roosevelt had been roaring drunk on the trip and had smashed dishes in the dining car."

The "Iron Ore" was an unusual newspaper for its time. It was still partisan and made a conscious effort to advance the cause of conservative Republicanism. Opinion was constantly injected in its articles and the editorials were frequently inflammatory with unfounded accusations.

It was a mean spirited piece and one paragraph in particular made accusations. "Roosevelt lies, and curses in a most disgusting way, he gets drunk too, and that not infrequently, and all of his intimates know about it."

It was exactly what Roosevelt had been waiting for. There had been rumors floating around the country for a long time concerning his drinking habits and had vowed to take the very next newspaper that printed such an accusation to court and make them prove it. Newett played right into his hands.

This TLS to Mr Harvier displays Roosevelt's confidence in winning his lawsuit and addresses his witnesses, as shown in full below:

"Dear Mr. Harvier:

That's a mighty nice letter of yours, and it has really touched me. I am obliged to you for it, and I shall always remember it. But I think I have got so many witnesses who have seen me intimately at all times now that it would be a work of supererogation to have another. Unless the jury chooses to believe deliberate perjury they will have to decide in my favor.

Faithfully yours,

Theodore Roosevelt"

A fantastic letter revealing much about TR's personality!

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