TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, State of New York, Executive Mansion letterhead, January 27, 1900. Letter to Colonel William Cary Sanger, Inspector of the National Guard. In full: “It is a truism that the Army of the United States should have an effective reserve and that the relation of the State forces to the army should be definitely settled. New York with its enormous wealth and its large National Guard is peculiarly concerned in seeing these questions settled. Both the civil and military authorities of the State have been striving to find the best solution. Partly in consequence of my recommendations to the Secretary of War the President of the United State has appointed you ‘to make a report to him in regard to the principles upon which other countries, and especially England, have organized their reserve and auxiliary forces and in regard to the practical working of the English system in particular, including such other matters as may relate to the objects to be attained by your report.' In doing this work I trust you will as my official representative secure for the State of New York such information as will aid the State authorities in deciding what changes, if any, should be made in the status of the National Guard, and in what way the State can best co-operate with the Federal authorities in their efforts to secure a reserve or auxiliary force for the army. I shall be pleased to receive from you a report covering the results of your investigations.” In very good condition, with scattered toning and staining, with a moderate area of speckled staining to top left, a few small tape repairs to separations on reverse, a few edge chips, and a small tear to bottom edge.
Governor Roosevelt appointed Sanger inspector of the New York National Guard in 1899 and, at the request of McKinley, Sanger traveled to Europe in 1900 to study the reserve and auxiliary forces of Great Britain and the the militia of Switzerland. With his military background, Roosevelt naturally took a special interest in the National Guard. He had been a member, joining in 1882 when he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He resigned from the Guard in 1886 as a captain and later described his experience as “invaluable.” He may have felt it especially important to weigh in on military matters when he wrote this letter, as McKinley was considering appointing him secretary of war. Later, as president, Roosevelt championed legislation that modernized the National Guard, and by the time he left office, the Guard had been incorporated with the Army as part of the nation’s armed forces. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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