PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/17/1914 - HFSID 30631

PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The former US President sends a letter of thanks to an editor regarding an editorial that was written
Typed Letter signed: "Theodore Roosevelt", 1p, 6½x7½. New York City, New York, 1914 November 17. On personal letterhead to F. L. Dingley, Esq., Lewiston, Me. In full: "That's a fine letter of yours and I thank you for it and for the editorial. Sincerely yours,". Well remembered is the heroism of Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) in the Spanish-American War, where he earned the Medal of Honor for leading his volunteer "Rough Riders" in a charge up San Juan Hill (1898), helped him win the governorship of New York the next year and to become President McKinley's running mate when the latter won a second term in 1900.) Less well known are Roosevelt's active efforts as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to prepare the US Navy for the war with Spain. Roosevelt had arrived at the Navy Department (April 1897) an active exponent of the theories of Alfred Thayer Mahan on the influence of sea power on history. His superior, Secretary John D. Long, a former Governor of Massachusetts, was an able administrator who did not share Roosevelt's enthusiasm for building a bigger, stronger navy. Long delegated much responsibility to Roosevelt, and took long vacations during which Roosevelt served as Acting Secretary. Considering war with Spain inevitable long before President McKinley accepted that view, Roosevelt rushed naval preparations and helped promote his friends, such as Admiral George Dewey, to forward positions with the fleet. Roosevelt's efforts were vindicated when Dewey, as commander of the Asiatic Squadron, crushed the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898). The U.S.S. Raleigh was present and distinguished itself in that engagement. Lightly foxed and soiled. Fold crease not near signature. Otherwise, fine condition.