TLS, one page, 8.25 x 10.25, personal Metropolitan letterhead, February 8, 1917. Letter to John J. Richards of the U.S. Marshal's Office, in full: “Ordinarily, I have to have the mass of letters sent me about my division answered by someone else, but yours is a special case. I have no question that I could use both you and your brother to great advantage. I shall hope to be able to have you take part in raising a squadron, of which you would be Major, and I should like your judgment as to at least some of the officers who you would wish to have under you. But, of course, I can only make you a tentative offer, because I do not know what I will be allowed to do. It is men of your type whom I hope to have compose my entire division.” Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 13.5 x 15.75. In fine condition, with upper part of frame loose.
With the First World War raging overseas, Roosevelt, some eight years removed from the presidency, was champing at the bit to fight the Germans and emulate the rugged success of his Rough Riders from the Spanish-American War. In March 1917, a month after this letter was written, Congress gave Roosevelt the authority to raise a maximum of four divisions similar to the Rough Riders, and Major Frederick Russell Burnham was put in charge of both the general organization and recruitment. Roosevelt’s zeal was quickly dashed, however, when President Wilson announced to the press that he would not send Roosevelt and his volunteers to France, but instead would send an American Expeditionary Force under the command of General John J. Pershing. Roosevelt never forgave Wilson and in response published The Foes of Our Own Household, an indictment of the sitting president.
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