William Howard Taft served in multiple high-ranking U.S government offices, most notably as President from 1909 to 1913 and Chief Justice from 1921 to 1930. His devotion to law and the courts is evident in this collection of his letters. Most notable is a series of letters written to friend and colleague W. Hallett Phillips containing an insightful mixture of personal and professional news and opinions.
Filed by recipient.
ALS. Apologizing that he cannot dine with her and the Griggs on Sunday as he will be receiving a degree at the University of Pennsylvania [date based on contents]. 1 p.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Saying that he does not have time to prepare for a speech to which he tentatively agreed and that the subject would not be fit for a suggested book. 1 p.
ALS, Washington. One line: "I am glad to send you what you wish and hope that it may continue to be of interest to you." 1 p.
TLS, Washington. Responding to Elliott's request for a substitute judge in the district court of Minnesota, saying that the new Attorney General, [William D.] Mitchell, will exercise his judgment regarding the matter. 1 p.
TLS, Washington. Thanking him for forming a Taft and Sherman Club in his city.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Declining an invitation to speak at the opening of the Public Library in Kendallville, Indiana, as he is booked with numerous engagements in addition to his regular duties at Yale. 1 p.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Agreeing to autograph some books for J. B. McGee. 1 p.
ALS, Washington. Thanking Nelson for standing by Taft during a painful situation [likely referring to the dissension in the Republican party caused by Theodore Roosevelt's founding of the Progressive "Bull Moose" Party.] 1 p.
ALS, New Haven, CT. Cheerfully agreeing to provide his autograph for Perkins' distinguished collection. 1 p.
TLS, Washington. Notifying him that dinner at Mr. Storer's has been postponed until 8pm. 1 p.
ALS, Office of the Solicitor General. Expressing hope that they will remain friends despite Taft's leaving Washington. 2 pp.
ALS (initials), Cincinnati. Asking Phillips to give his opinion on the legal case of Pickett's heirs, which has been complicated by the death of the counsel for the appellant. 1 p.
ALS, Cincinnati. Complaining about Secretary of the Treasury [Charles] Foster, discussing a couple of legal cases, and complaining that Cincinnati has far more soot than Washington. 2 pp.
ALS, Nashville. Apologizing for a long delay in writing to Hallett, saying as soon as he returns to Cincinnati he will write with an account of his recent travels. 1 p.
ALS, Nashville. Discussing his new position as a criminal judge and his excitement at working under Judge Jackson; describing his family's new home; asking about Washington and the Supreme Court; hoping Phillips will visit; with a postscript about the results of his order that counsel stand up when examining witnesses. 4 pp.
ALS (initials), Cincinnati. Asking Phillips to consider spending his summer vacation with the Tafts at the Lorne House near Quebec. 2 pp.
ALS (initials), Lorne House, Point a Pic. Describing his delight with the buildings, food, and outdoor activities at the Lorne House, asking Phillips to drop everything and join his party; with mention of judges Harlan and Shiras. 6 pp.
ALS (initials), Cincinnati. Regretting that Phillips was unable to join the Tafts on their summer vacation. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Discussing various judges and courts. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Asking whether he can help Judge Harlan's son obtain a district judgeship; saying he recently saw a mutual friend; responding to recent decisions by the Supreme Court; asking about events in the capital. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Expressing disappointment at the results of a recent round of judicial appointments; discussing Judge Harlan's impending trip to Paris; lamenting Folger's resignation; saying he enjoys the circuit court but dislikes the low salary. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Approving of the promotion of Judge Jackson though regretting that they will no longer be working together, mentioning the Behring Sea arbitrator, and asking how things are in Washington. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Regretting that he can't make a trip, joking about Harlan's tobacco chewing, and stating his jealousy at the "delightful little society" of lawyers and judges now in Washington. 1 p.
TLS, Cincinnati. Asking Phillips to immediately raise support for a bill that would provide for the purchase of law books for circuit courts. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Saying he and many others are petitioning President Cleveland to appoint Phillips a judge in the appeals court; recommending Edward B. Whitney, a former classmate and the new Assistant Attorney General; hoping Lloyd Bowers will be made Solicitor General. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Expressing annoyance that some of Phillips' friends in Washington are hindering his chances of being appointed judge; hoping that Maury will be retained in his current post; mentioning General Bristow, Edward Whitney, and Storer; commenting on his recent notoriety after issuing a restraining order against the chiefs of the brotherhoods of locomotive engineers and firemen. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Thanking Phillips for agreeing with his recent decision in a case, saying that he does not care about the disapproval of "socialists and ignorant heads of labor unions," but does want approval from the bar and bench. 1 p.
ALS, Cincinnati. Thanking Phillips for an amusing letter about senators, commenting on the legality of boycotts, and questioning President [Grover] Cleveland's judicial appointments. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Responding to Phillips' entertaining letter and humorous description of Harlan; mentioning a publication that was suppressed; describing his odd but good friend [Edward] Whitney; commending Judge Jackson, and saying that Cleveland is smart to retain Roosevelt. 3 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Expressing amusement at [Edward] Whitney's desire to reform the Department of Justice, discussing the international tribunal, asking Phillips to visit the Taft's rustic cottage in Murray Bay, and alleging that Speer was guilty of unjudicial conduct in the Georgis Central case and will likely be impeached and cause a judicial scandal. 4 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Giving directions for Phillips to write and visit Point-au-Pic in Quebec, Canada, mentioning his fifteen year class reunion at Yale, and commenting on the "tone of the arbitrator's letters." 2 pp.
ALS (initials), Point au Pic. Regretting that Phillips could not visit their summer cabin and approving the result of an arbitration involving the U.S. and Canada. 1 p.
TLS, Cincinnati. Briefly commenting on many matters including Judge Brown's accident, a movement against the confirmation of Hornblower, mugwumps, the Italian ambassadorship, [Edward] Whitney, and more. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Commenting on mutual friends, international arbitration and diplomacy, his work, Folger's position in the navy, Judge Jackson's illnesses, and various issues of the court. 4 pp.
ALS, Cincinnati. Asking for more information about Brown Hill. 1 p.
TLS, Cincinnati. Agreeing that he should do his best to keep up his Washington acquaintances; expressing sorrow that Harlan is getting so old and weak; discussing Hornblower's defeat and Cleveland's handling of the "Hawaiian mess;" mentioning Teddy Roosevelt; analyzing the fight for the District Attorneyship. 4 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Annoyed that some judges are under investigation, approving of the appointment of White, suggesting the Democrats will be easily defeated in the next Congressional election, speaking of his work to get funds to buy law books, with mention of various acquaintances. 4 pp.
TLS (initials) with autograph addition, Cincinnati. Addressing the issue of jurisdiction in the Detroit Street Railroad case and discussing mutual friend Bellamy Storer, with mention of various other acquaintances. 2 pp.
TLS, with autograph addition. Friendly banter, questioning why so many American workmen are going on strike, commenting on judicial appointments, and laughing at a humorous but accurate portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt in the New York Sun. 3 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Saying he believes Phillips should be the reporter of the Supreme Court; commending the work of Harlan Cleveland; discussing Maxwell's disagreement with the Attorney-General; analyzing the Republican party and support for the gold standard; saying that he may have to leave the bench and go into private practice in order to make enough money for his family; discussing Jackson's illness, etc. 9 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Telling of the recent visit of Bellamy [Storer] and Teddy [Roosevelt], saying Judge Jackson's health is remarkably improved, commenting on the opinions of justices Harlan and Gray, and discussing his own opinion that federal judges should wear robes on the circuit. 4 pp.
TLS with autograph postscript, Cincinnati. Asking Phillips to provide some letters of introduction for a friend traveling to Central America, and requesting that he visit J. M. Dickinson, Assistant Attorney-General in the Department of Justice. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Thanking him for a favor, commenting on the income tax cases, and remarking on the need to keep marauders and thieves out of the public lands of Yellowstone. 1 p.
TLS, Cincinnati. Commending [Theodore] Roosevelt's acceptance of the position of President of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York; questioning whether Bellamy Storer could handle the Civil Service Commission; commenting on the controversy between Admiral Meade and the Cleveland administration; reporting on friends; wondering what the court will decide regarding the income tax, etc. 5 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Discussing Harlan Cleveland's "great error" in expressing his indignation at a decision of the court. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Recommending [Judson] Harmon, the newly appointed Attorney General; discussing various issues related to the court. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Looking forward to meeting in Washington in the coming weeks, saying McKinley will likely be nominated and Storer will probably be given a commission in France. 2 pp.
TLS, Cincinnati. Discussing whether Harlan will visit Ohio, glad that a bill for another circuit judge has passed the Senate and hopeful that Cleveland and not McKinley will be in charge of the appointment, complaining that Hammond does little work. 3 pp.
ALS (initials). Commending Teddy Roosevelt's success in enforcing the law in New York, regretting his agreeing to give the annual address of the American Bar Association, describing how J. M. Dickinson saved the life of James F. Joy after he fell off a yacht, and discussing various friends in the judicial system, with mention of the death of Jackson. 4 pp. written on legal brief stationery.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Glad to hear she is enjoying music, alluding to her health problems. 1 p.
TLS, Pointe-au-Pic, Canada. Forwarding a signed photograph [included]. 1 p. The photo and letter were presented by Scheuer, an autograph dealer, to Andre De Coppet.
TLS. Marked "Personal." Thanking his friends in Nebraska for their work at the Republican Convention and support of the administration. 1 p. with original envelope.
ALS, Augusta, GA. Stressing that the "regular" Republicans must unite on sound principles in order to avoid the re-election of [Theodore] Roosevelt and/or judicial recall. 1 p. with original envelope.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Marked "Personal & Confidential." On his pleasure at the outcome of the election, namely the collapse of the Progressive Party and the weakening of the Democratic Party; denying the suggestion that he is the much-needed man who can unite the Republican party. 1 p. with original envelope.
TLS, Washington. To the editor of The Independent. Explaining the situation behind a nasty article about Taft written by De Rackin of The Review of Trade. 2 pp.
Of the Pittsfield Eagle.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Noting that the press of Pittsfield is covering small and unimportant events. 1 p. with original envelope.
TLS, New Haven, CT. Thanking him for kind words about Taft's address to the Pittsfield YMCA. 1 p.
TMsS. A tribute to Abraham Lincoln, commending his morals and actions and lamenting his tragic end. 1 p.
AMsS, Washington. Tribute to Theodore Roosevelt reading: "The most commanding, the most original, the most interesting and the most brilliant personality in American public life since Lincoln." 1 p.