Description:

Roosevelt Theodore

Theodore Roosevelt TLS, on Building our Naval Strength

 

Single page TLS with autographed annotations, 8" x 10.5," on letterhead of Naval Department, Office Assistant Secretary, Washington. Dated "January 10, 1898," and signed by Theodore Roosevelt in full signature "Theodore Roosevelt." Roosevelt additionally added two annotated words, and made several other manual corrections to the typescript. Page with uneven toning, but bearing the eerie faint offsetting of Theodore Roosevelt's portrait to the upper right corner. Verso with mounting remnants along right edge.

 

A fantastic TLS with Roosevelt pushing to build up the Country's Naval strength. "I believe we may have to draw upon outside men, no less than upon those within the service; but at present it was not practicable to get such a provision inserted in the bill. I believe that the machinists will have to be given warrant rank and get pay just as we provide in the bill, so as to get the very highest type of practical se mechanics." I cannot help thinking that if the officers are trained as engineers, not only at Annapolis but by actual service with the engines, as the ensigns on boards of torpedo-boats now serve, we will be able to turn out men who can oversee the work properly … "

 

President McKinley appointed Roosevelt as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897. Influenced by Alfred Thayer Mahan, Roosevelt called for a build-up in the country's naval strength, particularly the construction of battleships. Roosevelt also began pressing his national security views regarding the Pacific and the Caribbean on McKinley, and was particularly adamant that Spain be ejected from Cuba. He explained his priorities to one of the Navy's planners in late 1897: I would regard war with Spain from two viewpoints: first, the advisability on the grounds both of humanity and self-interest of interfering on behalf of the Cubans, and of taking one more step toward the complete freeing of America from European dominion; second, the benefit done our people by giving them something to think of which is not material gain, and especially the benefit done our military forces by trying both the Navy and Army in actual practice.

 

A wonderful TLS demonstrating Roosevelt's conviction in the war. Four months later Theodore Roosevelt, determined to see battle, joined the Rough Rider division, and was commissioned to Cuba with his men by June.


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