Letter by Roosevelt Regarding Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines

Popular depictions paint Theodore Roosevelt as the president who introduced the country to the modern world with youthful vigor and boundless enthusiasm. This letter, written to William H. Hunt, Governor of the recently annexed island of Puerto Rico, provides a fuller, slightly different understanding of the boisterous Roosevelt. It also illuminates turn-of-the-century internal party politics while highlighting the new president’s struggle to develop his own foreign policy – a weighty task particularly in the wake of the Spanish-American War, which left the U.S. in control of territories outside its continental borders for the first time.

September 1901 was a tense time of transition for Roosevelt as he attempted to organize his administration. He wrote this letter on September 26, only twelve days after assuming the presidency. As vice president, he had taken the reigns of executive power after President William McKinley was assassinated by the self-proclaimed anarchist, Leon Czolgosz a mere five months into his presidency. In light of the circumstances, Roosevelt was – as he might describe it – speaking softly, without carrying a big stick.

McKinley had appointed Hunt Governor of Puerto Rico earlier in 1901. By requesting Hunt’s input on appointments pertinent to the new administration of Puerto Rico it is clear that Roosevelt is deferring to McKinley’s policy while, at the same time, taking the opportunity to build confidence in the new leadership in Washington. This letter demonstrates how earnestly Roosevelt wished to assure the members of Republican Party, who served alongside McKinley, that he was respectful of their opinions and would not fail them, the country, or McKinley.

Roosevelt requests Hunt’s opinion on several men he is considering for Secretary of Puerto Rico, a position referred to in the letter as the “Secretary of State.” He explains that “in asking you for your opinion I am sure I am doing precisely as the late President intended to do. I wish you would write me with the most absolute freedom as to any appointment that ought or ought not to be made, or as to any other question of policy.” Respecting McKinley’s wishes, Roosevelt followed through with the appointment of Charles Hartzell, a former Colorado state senator who had been offered the post by the late president; he only needed to verify that Hunt did not “know of any objection to it.” Respectful and open-minded, Roosevelt was seeking to promote stability and continuity to the men directly below him, men selected by a strong presidential predecessor.

Roosevelt did well in seeking the advice of men like Hunt. The letter also mentions that he consults Governor William Howard Taft of the Philippines and General Leonard Wood of Cuba. He wanted to give them wide latitude and offered them “the largest liberty of action possible, and the heartiest support on my part. In taking up the question of lesser appointments I want to consult especially with you three men, for I have the utmost confidence in each of you.”

Hunt was brought back from Puerto Rico in 1904 and was eventually made a judge on the 9th Circuit of the Court of Appeals. Taft ably administered the Philippines, despite an on-going insurgency that would continue until 1916, and returned to join Roosevelt’s cabinet as Secretary of War in 1904. With Roosevelt’s support, he would become President in 1908. Wood led a controversial reorganization of Cuban government and society during his governorship, which lasted until 1902.

Preserving the talent that McKinley fostered proved to be one of Roosevelt’s key decisions early in his presidency, giving shape to his administration. The respect for continuity and deference to the party shown in this letter, however, stand in stark contrast to Roosevelt's image as an individualist.

GLC05803. Letter by Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Hunt.

For more information or to obtain copies, contact Ana Ramirez-Luhrs at reference@gilderlehrman.com or call (212) 787-6616 ext. 209.

Personal

Executive Mansion.
Washington.
 September 26, 1901.

My dear Governor Hunt:

            In dealing with the Philippines, Cuba and Porto Rico my purpose is to give Taft and Wood and yourself the largest liberty of action possible, and the heartiest support on my part. In taking up the question of the lesser appointments I want to consult especially with you three men, for I have the utmost confidence in each of you. I shall certainly not want any man whom anyone of you who has to be over or with that man disapproves of. I have written Senator Hanna at once about Howe, and I take it for granted there will be no difficulty in his appointment. It was suggested to me that a man named Elliott might be urged for appointment as Secretary of State, and I was told by Mr. Luce that he was not fit for the position. What do you think of this man – if you know anything about him? As to the particular place of Secretary of State, it was the intention of President McKinley to appoint Mr. Charles Hartzell. He had tendered the place to him and it had been accepted. Naturally I desire to carry out this intention, but before doing so would wish to ask whether you know of any objection to it – and in asking you for your opinion I am sure I am doing precisely as the late President intended to do. I wish you would write me with the most absolute freedom as to any appointment that ought or ought not to be made, or as to any other question of policy.

            In dealing with our insular possession and dependencies I feel that no consideration whatever must be allowed any weight save the consideration whatever must be allowed any weight save the consideration of getting the best possible service for the islands and therefore for our whole country. The problem is far too grave and to delicate to admit of any other course being pursued.

                                                Sincerely yours,

                                                Theodore Roosevelt

Hon. William H. Hunt,
Governor of Porto Rico,
San Juan, Porto Rico.

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Paterson, Thomas G. Major Problems in American Foreign Relations: To 1920. Heath and Company, 1995.