wikipedia's featured article - 2014-10-08 - john hay

8/11/2019 Wikipedia's Featured Article - 2014-10-08 - John Hay

1/24

John Hay

For other people named John Hay, seeJohn Hay (disam-biguation).

John Milton Hay(October 8, 1838 July 1, 1905) wasan American statesman and official whose career in gov-ernment stretched almost half a century. Beginning as aprivate secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln, Hayshighest office wasUnited States Secretary of StateunderPresidentsWilliam McKinleyand Theodore Roosevelt.Hay was also an author and biographer, and wrote poetry

and other literature throughout much of his life.

Born inIndianato ananti-slaveryfamily that moved toIllinois when he was young, Hay showed great poten-tial, and his family sent him toBrown University. Af-ter graduation in 1858, Hayread lawin his uncles of-fice inSpringfield, Illinois, adjacent to that of Lincoln.Hay worked for Lincolns successful presidential cam-paign, and became one of his private secretaries at theWhite House. Throughout theAmerican Civil War, Haywas close to Lincoln, and stood by his deathbed after thePresidentwas shotat Fords Theatre. In addition to hisother literary works, Hay co-authored withJohn George

Nicolayamulti-volume biography of Lincolnthat helpedshape the assassinated presidents historical image.

After Lincolns death, Hay spent several years at diplo-matic posts in Europe, then worked for the New-York Tri-bune under Horace Greeley and Whitelaw Reid. Yet, Hayremained active in politics, and from 1879 to 1881 servedasAssistant Secretary of State. Afterwards, he remainedin the private sector, until President McKinley, for whomhe had been a major backer, made himAmbassador tothe United Kingdomin 1897. Hay became Secretary ofState the following year.

Hay served for almost seven years as Secretary of Stateunder President McKinley, and after his assassination,under Theodore Roosevelt. Hay was responsible for ne-gotiating theOpen Door Policy, which kept China opento trade with all countries on an equal basis, with in-ternational powers. By negotiating theHayPauncefoteTreatywith the United Kingdom, the (ultimately unrati-fied)HayHerrn Treatywith Colombia, and finally theHayBunau-Varilla Treatywith the newly-independentRepublic of Panama, Hay also cleared the way for thebuilding of thePanama Canal.

1 Early life

1.1 Family and youth

TheHay-Morrison House, birthplace of John Hay, Salem, Indi-

ana

John Milton Hay was born in Salem, Indiana, on Oc-tober 8, 1838.[1] He was the third son of Dr. CharlesHay and the former Helen Leonard. Charles Hay, born

in Lexington, Kentucky, hated slavery, and moved tothe North in the early 1830s. A doctor, he practicedin Salem and married there in 1831.[2] Helens father,David Leonard, had moved his family west from Assonet,Massachusetts, in 1818, but died en route toVincennes,Indiana, and Helen relocated to Salem in 1830 to teachschool. Charles was not successful in Salem, and moved,with his wife and children, to Warsaw, Illinois, in 1841.[3]

In Warsaw, a Western Illinois town opposite the con-fluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers, theHay family lived a difficult pioneer existence.[4] Men ofWarsaw, seeing the rival town ofNauvoo, populated by

Mormons, as a threat, formed a militia and with men fromnearby towns, lynched Mormon leaders Joseph Smith andhis brother Hyrum. Charles served as surgeon to the mili-tia. John Hay, then aged five, may have been among thewomen and children who fled to the other side of the Mis-sissippi out of fear of a Mormon revenge that did notcome, and in later writings took pains to minimize hisfathers role.[5]

John attended the local schools, and in 1849 his uncleMilton Hay invited John to live at his home inPittsfield,Pike County, and attend a well-regarded local school,[6]

the John D. Thomson Academy.[7] Milton was a friend

ofSpringfieldattorney Abraham Lincoln, and hadreadlawin the firm Stuart and Lincoln.[8] In Pittsfield, Johnfirst metJohn Nicolay, who was at the time a 20-year-old

1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nicolayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read_lawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read_lawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Illinoishttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_County,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsfield,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danitehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyrum_Smithhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smithhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Moines_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgottoniahttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincennes,_Indianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincennes,_Indianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assonet,_Massachusettshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assonet,_Massachusettshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington,_Kentuckyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Indianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay_Centerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_Panama_from_Colombiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_Panama_from_Colombiahttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Door_Policyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Ambassador_to_the_United_Kingdomhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Ambassador_to_the_United_Kingdomhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Assistant_Secretary_of_Statehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitelaw_Reidhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Greeleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New-York_Tribunehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New-York_Tribunehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln:_A_Historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_George_Nicolayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_George_Nicolayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford%27s_Theatrehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Abraham_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read_lawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Universityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism_in_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Statehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_to_the_President_of_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay_(disambiguation)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay_(disambiguation)


2/24

2 2 AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

newspaperman.[9] Once John Hay completed his studiesthere, the 13-year-old was sent to live with his grandfa-ther in Springfield, and attendIllinois State University.[6]

This was at the time little more than a high school. [10]

Once Johns studies were done, he returned to Warsaw,and his parents and uncle Milton (who financed the boys

education) decided to send him to Brown UniversityinProvidence, Rhode Island,alma materof his late mater-nal grandfather.[10]

1.2 Student and Lincoln supporter

Hay enrolled at Brown in 1855.[1] Although he enjoyedcollege life, he did not find it easy: his Western[lower-alpha 1]

clothing and accent made him stand out and the lim-ited facilities at Illinois State had not adequately preparedhim. He missed many days because of illness, thoughhow much of that was due to actual physical ailmentsis uncertain. Hay had hoped to graduate in two years,but persuaded his parents and uncle to allow him to re-main for a third. Despite his difficulties, Hay gained areputation as a star student, and became a part of Prov-idences literary circle that included Sarah Helen Whit-man and Nora Perry. He wrote poetry, and experimentedwithhashish.[11] Hay received hisMaster of Artsdegreein 1858, and was, like his grandfather before him, ClassPoet.[12]

Hay returned to Warsaw and, not knowing what careerto undertake, suffered a period of depression. Accordingto Howard Kushner and Anne Sherrill in their biographyof Hay, in the final analysis the thing that rescued youngJohn Hay from despair was the continued support of hisfamily.[13] Milton Hay had moved his practice to Spring-field, and John became a law clerk in his firm, where hecould study law and become an attorney.[14][15]

Milton Hays firm, one of the most prestigious inIllinois,[16] included Stephen Logan, Lincolns formerpartner, and Lincoln maintained offices next door. Al-though a national figure due to his debateswith SenatorStephen Douglas, Lincoln remained a practicing attor-ney, and in at least one case was co-counsel with Loganand Milton Hay.[17] Another connection between Lincolnand John Hay came through Nicolay, who had moved toSpringfield in 1856 where he printed campaign literaturefor Lincoln. He was admitted to the bar in 1859 afterstudying law under one of Lincolns close friends,OziasHatch.[18] Hay recalled an early encounter with Lincoln:

He came into the law office where Iwas reading, which adjoined his own, witha copy of Harpers Magazine in hand, con-taining Senator Douglass famous article onPopular Sovereignty [whether residents of eachterritory could decide on slavery] Lincoln

seemed greatly roused by what he had read.Entering the office without a salutation, hesaid: This will never do. He puts the moral

element out of this question. It won't stayout.[19]

Hay was not a supporter of Lincoln for president until af-ter the former congressmans upset victory at the 1860Republican National Convention in Chicago. Once hewas, Hay made speeches and wrote newspaper articlesboosting Lincolns candidacy. When Nicolay, who hadbeen made Lincolnsprivate secretaryfor the campaign,found he needed help with the huge amounts of corre-spondence, Hay was brought on board,[20][21] and workedfull-time for Lincoln for six months.[22]

Lincoln waselected president that November, and Nico-lay, whom Lincoln had asked to continue as private sec-retary, is said to have recommended that Hay be hired toassisthim at the White House. Lincoln is reported to havesaid, We can't take all Illinois with us down to Washing-ton but then Well, let Hay come.[21] Kushner and Sher-rill were dubious about the story of Lincolns offhandappointment of Hay as fitting well into Hays self-imageof never having been an office-seeker, but poorly intothe realities of Springfield politics of the 1860sHaymust have expected some reward for handling Lincolnscorrespondence for months.[23] Hay biographer John Tal-iaferro suggests that Lincoln engaged Nicolay and Hay toassist him, rather than more seasoned men, both out ofloyalty and surely because of the competence and com-patibility that his two young aides had demonstrated.[24]

HistorianJoshua Zeitzopines that Lincoln was moved tohire Hay when Milton agreed to pay his nephews salary

for six months.[25]

2 American Civil War

Main article:American Civil War

2.1 Secretary to Lincoln

Milton Hay desired that his nephew go to Washington asa qualified attorney, and John Hay was admitted to thebar in Illinois on February 4, 1861.[8] On February 11,he embarked withPresident-electLincoln on a circuitousjourney to Washington.[26] By this time, several South-ern states had seceded to form theConfederate States ofAmericain reaction to the election of Lincoln, seen as anopponent of slavery.[27] When Lincolnwas sworn inonMarch 4, Hay and Nicolay moved into the White House,sharing a shabby bedroom.[lower-alpha 2] As there was onlyauthority for payment of one presidential secretary (Nico-lay), Hay was appointed to a post in theInterior Depart-mentat $1,600 per year,[lower-alpha 3] seconded to service

at the White House. They were available to Lincoln 24hours a day.[23] As Lincoln took no vacations as presidentand worked seven days a week, often until 11 pm (or later,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_the_Interiorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_the_Interiorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_Abraham_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_of_Americahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_of_Americahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President-elect_of_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Zeitzhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_secretaryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territories_of_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_sovereignty_in_the_United_States#Emergence_of_the_termhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozias_Hatchhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozias_Hatchhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Douglashttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln-Douglas_debateshttp://-/?-http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Artshttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashishhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Perry_(writer)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Helen_Whitmanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Helen_Whitmanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence,_Rhode_Islandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Universityhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_State_University_(Springfield,_Illinois)


3/24

2.1 Secretary to Lincoln 3

Hay in 1862

during crucial battles) the burden on his secretaries washeavy.[28]

Hay and Nicolay divided their responsibilities: Nicolaytending to assist Lincoln in his office and in meetings,while Hay dealt with the correspondence, which was verylarge. Both men tried to shield Lincoln from office-seekers and others who wanted to meet with the Presi-dent. Unlike the dour Nicolay, Hay, with his charm, es-caped much of the hard feelings from those denied Lin-colns presence.[29] AbolitionistThomas Wentworth Hig-ginsondescribed Hay as a nice young fellow, who un-fortunately looks about seventeen and is oppressed withthe necessity of behaving like seventy.[30] Hay contin-ued to write, anonymously, for newspapers, sending incolumns calculated to make Lincoln appear a sorrowfulman, religious and competent, giving of his life and healthto preserve the Union.[31] Similarly, Hay served as whatTaliaferro deemed a White House propagandist, in hiscolumns explaining away losses such as that atFirst Man-assasin July 1861.[32] Hay wrote many letters for Lin-colns signature: according to Taliaferro, Hay was the

likely author of the letter to Lydia Bixby, a Bostonian whoLincoln was told had lost five sons in the Union cause.This figure was incorrect as she had lost two sons andwasa Southern sympathizer who apparently destroyed theoriginal. Reprinted widely in newspapers, the letter hasbeen prized among the best of Lincolns works by his ad-mirers, but displays phrases more typical of Hays writ-ings than the Presidents.[33]

Despite the heavy workloadHay wrote that he was busy20 hours a dayhe tried to make as normal a life as pos-sible, eating his meals with Nicolay at Willards Hotel,going to the theatre with Abraham and Mary Todd Lin-

coln, and readingLes Misrablesin French. Hay, still inhis early 20s, spent time both in barrooms and at culturedget-togethers in the homes of Washingtons elite.[34] The

Lincoln and his secretaries. Hay is on the right.

two secretaries often clashed with Mary Lincoln, who re-sorted to various stratagems to get the dilapidated White

House restored without depleting Lincolns salary, whichhad to cover entertainment and other expenses. Despitethe secretaries objections, Mrs. Lincoln was generallythe victor, and managed to save almost 70% of her hus-bands salary in his four years in office.[35]

After the death of Lincolns 11-year-old son Willie inFebruary 1862 (an event not mentioned in Hays di-ary or correspondence), it was Hay who became, ifnot a surrogate son, then a young man who stirred ahigher form of parental nurturing that Lincoln, despitehis best intentions, did not successfully bestow on eitherof his surviving children.[36] According to Hay biogra-

pher Robert Gale, Hay came to adore Lincoln for hisgoodness, patience, understanding, sense of humor, hu-mility, magnanimity, sense of justice, healthy skepticism,resilience and power, love of the common man, and mys-tical patriotism.[37] Speaker of the House Galusha Growstated, Lincoln was very much attached to him extquot-edbl; writer Charles G. Halpine, who knew Hay then,later recorded that Lincoln loved him as a son.[38]

Hay and Nicolay accompanied Lincoln to Gettysburg,Pennsylvania, for the dedication of the cemetery there,where were interred many of those who fell at the Battleof Gettysburg. Although they made much of Lincolns

briefGettysburg Addressin their 1890 multi-volume bi-ography of Lincoln, Hays diary states the President, ina firm, free way, with more grace than is his wont, said
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Addresshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg,_Pennsylvaniahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg,_Pennsylvaniahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_G._Halpinehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galusha_Growhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representativeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Lincolnhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Todd_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Todd_Lincolnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_InterContinental_Washingtonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperhead_(politics)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bixby_letterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Manassashttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Manassashttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wentworth_Higginsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wentworth_Higginson


4/24

4 3 EARLY DIPLOMATIC CAREER

his half-dozen lines of consecration.[39]

2.2 Presidential emissary; death of Lin-

coln

Hay as a young man. Portrait byMathew Brady.

Lincoln sent Hay away from the White House on variousmissions. In August 1861, Hay escorted Mary Lincolnand her children toLong Branch, New Jersey, a resort onthe Jersey Shore, both as their caretaker and as a means ofgiving Hay a much-needed break. The following month,Lincoln sent him to Missouri to deliver a letter to UnionGeneral John C. Frmont, who had irritated the Presidentwith military blunders and by freeing local slaves withoutauthorization, endangering Lincolns attempts to keep theborder statesin the Union.[40]

In April 1863, Lincoln sent Hay to the Union-occupied

South Carolina coast to report back on the ironcladves-sels being used in an attempt to recapture CharlestonHarbor. Hay then went on to the Florida coast.[41] Hereturned to Florida in January 1864, after Lincoln hadannounced hisTen Percent Plan, that if ten percent ofthe 1860 electorate in a state took oaths of loyalty andto support emancipation, they could form a governmentwith federal protection. Lincoln considered Florida, withits small population, a good test case, and made Hay amajor,[lower-alpha 4] sending him to see if he could get suffi-cient men to take the oath. Hay spent a month in the stateduring February and March 1864, but Union defeats there

reduced the area under federal control. Believing his mis-sion impractical, he sailed back to Washington.[42][43]

In July 1864, New York publisherHorace Greeleysent

word to Lincoln that there were Southern peace emis-saries in Canada. Lincoln doubted that they actuallyspoke for Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis, but hadHay journey to New York to persuade the publisher to gotoNiagara Falls, Ontario, to meet with them and bringthem to Washington. Greeley reported to Lincoln that the

emissaries lacked accreditation by Davis, but were con-fident they could bring both sides together. Lincoln sentHay to Ontario with what became known as the NiagaraManifesto: that if the South laid down its arms, freed theslaves, and reentered the Union, it could expect liberalterms on other points. The Southerners refused to cometo Washington to negotiate.[44]

By the end of 1864, with Lincoln reelected and the vic-torious war winding down, both Hay and Nicolay let itbe known that they desired different jobs. They were ap-pointed to the U.S. delegation in Paris, Nicolay as consuland Hay as secretary of legation. Hay was present when

Lincoln died; he saw a look of unspeakable peace cameupon his worn features.[45]

According to Kushner and Sherrill, Lincolns death wasfor Hay a personal loss, like the loss of a father ...Lincolnsassassination erased any remaining doubts Hay had aboutLincolns greatness.[46] In 1866, in a personal letter, Haydeemed Lincoln, the greatest character since Christ.[37]

Taliaferro notes that Hay would spend the rest of his lifemourning Lincoln ... wherever Hay went and whatever hedid, Lincoln wouldalwaysbe watching.[47]

3 Early diplomatic career

Hay sailed for Paris at the end of June 1865.[48] There, heserved under U.S. Minister to France John Bigelow.[49]

The workload was not heavy, and Hay found time to en-joy the pleasures of Paris.[50] When Bigelow resigned inmid-1866,[51] Hay, as was customary, submitted his res-ignation, though he was asked to remain until Bigelowssuccessor was in place, and stayed until January 1867.He consulted with Secretary of StateWilliam H. Seward,asking him for anything worth having.[46] Seward sug-

gested the post of Minister to Sweden, but reckoned with-out the new president,Andrew Johnson, who had his owncandidate. Seward offered Hay a job as his private secre-tary, but Hay declined, and returned home to Warsaw.[52]

Initially happy to be home, Hay quickly grew restive,[53]

and he was glad to hear, in early June 1867, that hehad been appointed secretary of legation to act as chargd'affaires at Vienna. He sailed for Europe the samemonth, and while in England visited the House of Com-mons, where he was greatly impressed by theChancellorof the Exchequer,Benjamin Disraeli.[54] The Vienna postwas only temporary, until Johnson could appoint a charg

d'affaires and have him confirmed by the Senate, and theworkload was light, allowing Hay, who was fluent in Ger-man, to spend much of his time traveling.[55] It was not
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Disraelihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancellor_of_the_Exchequerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancellor_of_the_Exchequerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Johnsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Sewardhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bigelowhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls,_Ontariohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Greeleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Olusteehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_(United_States)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Percent_Planhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironcladhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_states_(American_Civil_War)http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Shorehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Branch,_New_Jerseyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathew_Brady


5/24

4.2 Return to politics 5

until July 1868 that Henry Watts became Hays replace-ment. Hay resigned, spent the remainder of the summerin Europe, then went home to Warsaw.[56]

Unemployed again, in December 1868 Hay journeyed tothe capital, writing to Nicolay that he came to Wash-

ington in the peaceful pursuit of a fat office. But thereis nothing just now available.[57] Seward promised towrestle with Andy for anything that turns up, but noth-ing did prior to the departure of both Seward and John-son from office on March 4, 1869.[58] In May, Hay wentback to Washington from Warsaw to press his case withthe new Grant administration. The nextmonth, due to theinfluence of his friends, he obtained the post of secretaryof legation in Spain.[59]

Although the salary was low, Hay was interested in serv-ing in Madrid both because of the political situationthereQueen Isabella II had recently been deposed

and because the U.S. Minister was the swashbuckling for-mer congressman, GeneralDaniel Sickles. Hay hoped toassist Sickles in gaining U.S. control over Cuba, then aSpanish colony. Sickles was unsuccessful[60] and Hay re-signed in May 1870, citing the low salary, but remainingin his post until September.[57] Two legacies of Hays timein Madrid were magazine articles he wrote that becamethe basis of his first book, Castilian Days, and his life-long friendship with Sickless personal secretary, AlveyA. Adee, who would be a close aide to Hay at the StateDepartment.[61]

4 Wilderness years (187097)

4.1 Tribuneand marriage

While still in Spain, Hay had been offered the position ofassistant editor at the New-York Tribuneboth the edi-tor,Horace Greeley, and his managing editor, WhitelawReid, were anxious to hire Hay. He joined the staff in Oc-tober 1870. TheTribunewas the leading reform newspa-per in New York,[62] and through mail subscriptions, thelargest-circulating newspaper in the nation.[63] Hay wrote

editorials for the Tribune, and Greeley soon proclaimedhim the most brilliant writer of breviers (as they werecalled) that he had ever had.[64]

With his success as an editorial writer, Hays duties ex-panded. In October 1871, he journeyed to Chicago afterthegreat fire there, interviewing Mrs. O'Leary, whosecow was said to have started the blaze, describing her asa woman with a lamp [who went] to the barn behind thehouse, to milk the cow with the crumpled temper, thatkicked the lamp, that spilled the kerosene, that fired thestraw that burned Chicago.[65] His work at the Tribunecame ashis fame as a poetwas reaching its peak, and one

colleague described it as a liberal education in the de-lights of intellectual life to sit in intimate companionshipwith John Hay and watch the play of that well-stored and

brilliant mind.[66] In addition to writing, Hay was signedby the prestigiousBoston Lyceum Bureau, whose clientsincludedMark TwainandSusan B. Anthony, to give lec-tures on the prospects for democracy in Europe, and onhis years in the Lincoln White House.[67]

By the timePresident Grantran for reelection in 1872,Grants administration had been rocked by scandal, andsome disaffected members of his party formed theLiberal Republicans, naming Greeley as their candidatefor president,[68] a nomination soon joined in by theDemocrats. Hay was unenthusiastic about the editor-turned-candidate, and in his editorials mostly took aimat Grant, who, despite the scandals, remained untarred,and who won a landslide victoryin the election. Greeleydied only weeks later, a broken man. Hays stance endan-gered his hitherto sterling credentials in the RepublicanParty.[69]

By 1873, Hay was wooing Clara Stone, daughter ofCleveland multimillionaire railroad and banking mogulAmasa Stone. The success of his suit (they married in1874) made the salary attached to office a small con-sideration for the rest of his life. Amasa Stone neededsomeone to watch over his investments, and wanted Hayto move to Cleveland to fill the post. [70] Although theHays initially lived in Johns New York apartment andlater in a townhouse there, they moved in June 1875 toStones ornate home on ClevelandsEuclid Avenue, Mil-lionaires Row, and a mansion was quickly under con-struction for the Hays next-door.[71] The Hays had fourchildren,Helen Hay Whitney, Adelbert Barnes Hay, Al-

ice Evelyn Hay Wadsworth Boyd, and Clarence LeonardHay.[72] Their father proved successful as a money man-ager, though he devoted much of his time to literary andpolitical activities,[73] writing to Adee that I do nothingbut read and yawn.[74]

On December 29, 1876, a bridge over OhiosAshtabulaRiver collapsed. The bridge had been built from metalcast at one of Stones mills, and was carrying a trainowned and operated by StonesLake Shore and MichiganRailway. Ninety-two people died; it was the worst raildisaster in American history up to that point.[75] Blamefell heavily on Stone, who departed for Europe to recu-

perate and left Hay in charge of his businesses.[76] Thesummer of 1877 was marked by labor disputes; a strikeover wage cuts on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad soonspread to the Lake Shore, much to Hays outrage. Heblamed foreign agitators for the dispute, and vented hisanger over the strike in his only novel, The Bread-Winners(1883).[77]

4.2 Return to politics

Hay remained disaffected from the Republican Party in

the mid-1870s. Seeking a candidate of either party hecould support as a reformer, he watched as his favoredDemocrat,Samuel Tilden, gained his partys nomination,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Tildenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bread-Winnershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_&_Ohio_Railroadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Railroad_Strike_of_1877https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Shore_and_Michigan_Southern_Railwayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Shore_and_Michigan_Southern_Railwayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtabula_River_Railroad_Disasterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtabula_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtabula_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Hay_Whitneyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclid_Avenue_(Cleveland)http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amasa_Stonehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1872https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Republican_Partyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Granthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthonyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Lyceum_Bureauhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay#Literary_careerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_O%27Learyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chicago_Firehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitelaw_Reidhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitelaw_Reidhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Greeleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New-York_Tribunehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvey_A._Adeehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvey_A._Adeehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Sickleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_II_of_Spainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Ulysses_S._Grant


6/24

6 4 WILDERNESS YEARS (187097)

but his favored Republican, James G. Blaine, did not,falling to Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, whomHay did not support during the campaign. Hayess victoryin the election left Hay an outsider as he sought a return topolitics, and he was initially offered no place in the newadministration.[78] Nevertheless, Hay attempted to ingra-

tiate himself with thenew President by sending hima goldring with a strand of George Washingtons hair, a gesturethat Hayes deeply appreciated.[79] Hay spent time work-ing with Nicolay on their Lincoln biography, and travel-ing in Europe.[80] When Reid, who had succeeded Gree-ley as editor of the Tribune, was offered the post of Min-ister to Germany in December 1878, he turned it downand recommended Hay. Secretary of StateWilliam M.Evartsindicated that Hay had not been active enough inpolitical efforts, to Hays regret, who told Reid that hewould like a second-class missionuncommonly well.[81]

James A. Garfield: the second president to be assassinated whom

Hay advised

From May to October 1879, Hay set out to reconfirmhis credentials as a loyal Republican, giving speeches insupport of candidates and attacking the Democrats. InOctober, President andMrs. Hayescame to a receptionat Hays Cleveland home. WhenAssistant Secretary ofState Frederick W. Seward resigned later that month, Haywas offered his place and accepted, after some hesitancybecause he was considering running for Congress.[82]

In Washington, Hay oversaw a staff of eighty employees,renewed his acquaintance with his friendHenry Adams,and substituted for Evarts at Cabinet meetings when the

Secretary was out of town.[83] In 1880, he campaigned forthe Republican nominee for president, his fellow Ohioan,Congressman James A. Garfield.[84] Hay felt that Garfield

did not have enough backbone, and hoped that Reid andothers would inoculate him with the gall which I fearhe lacks.[85] Garfield consulted Hay before and afterhiselection as presidenton appointments and other matters,but offered Hay only the post of private secretary (thoughhe promised to increase its pay and power), and Hay

declined.[86] Hay resigned as assistant secretary effectiveMarch 31, 1881, and spent the next seven months as act-ing editor of theTribuneduring Reids extended absencein Europe. Garfields deathin September and Reids re-turn the following month left Hay again on the outsideof political power, looking in. He would spend the nextfifteen years in that position.[87]

4.3 Wealthy traveler (188197)

4.3.1 Author and dilettante

After 1881, Hay did not again hold public office until1897.[87] Amasa Stone committed suicide in 1883; hisdeath left the Hays very wealthy.[88] They spent severalmonths in most years traveling in Europe.[88] The Lin-coln biography absorbed some of Hays time, the hardestwork being done with Nicolay in 1884 and 1885; begin-ning in 1886, portions began appearing serially, and theten-volume biographywas published in 1890.[89]

In 1884, Hay and Adams commissioned architectHenryHobson Richardson to construct houses for them onWashingtonsLafayette Square; these were completed by1886.[90] Hays house, facing the White House[91] andfronting on Sixteenth Street, was described even beforecompletion as the finest house in Washington.[92] Theprice for the combined tract, purchased from WilliamWilson Corcoran, was $73,800, of which Adams paid athird for his lot.[93] Hay budgeted the construction costat $50,000;[94] his ornate, 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2)mansion eventually cost over twice that. Despite theirpossession of two lavish houses, the Hays spent less thanhalf the year in Washington and only a few weeks a yearin Cleveland.[95] They also spent time atThe Fells, theirsummer residence in Newbury, New Hampshire. Ac-cording to Gale, for a full decade before his appoint-

ment in 1897 as ambassador to England, Hay was lazyand uncertain.[96]

Hay continued to devote much of his energy to Republi-can politics. In 1884, he supported Blaine for president,donating considerable sums to the senators unsuccessfulcampaign against New York GovernorGrover Cleveland.Many of Hays friends were unenthusiastic about Blainescandidacy, to Hays anger, and he wrote to editorRichardWatson Gilder, I have never been able to appreciate thelogic that induces some excellent people every four yearsbecause they cannot nominate the candidate they prefer tovote for the party they don't prefer.[97] In 1888, Hay had

to follow his own advice as his favored candidate, OhioSenator John Sherman, was unsuccessful at the Repub-lican convention. After some reluctance, Hay supported
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1888_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1888_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shermanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Watson_Gilderhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Watson_Gilderhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Clevelandhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbury,_New_Hampshirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fellshttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilson_Corcoranhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilson_Corcoranhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square,_Washington,_D.C.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay-Adams_Hotelhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hobson_Richardsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hobson_Richardsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln:_A_Historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_James_A._Garfieldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1880https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1880http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Garfieldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Adamshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_W._Sewardhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Assistant_Secretary_of_Statehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Assistant_Secretary_of_Statehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Hayeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Garfieldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Evartshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Evartshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1876https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1876https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_B._Hayeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Blaine


7/24

4.3 Wealthy traveler (188197) 7

the nominee, former Indiana senatorBenjamin Harrison,who was elected. Though Harrison appointed men whomHay supported, including Blaine, Reid, and Robert Lin-coln, Hay was not asked to serve in theHarrison admin-istration. In 1890, Hay spoke for Republican congres-sional candidates, addressing a rally of 10,000 people in

New York City, but the party was defeated, losing controlof Congress. Hay contributed funds to Harrisons unsuc-cessfulre-election effort, in part because Reid had beenmade Harrisons 1892 running mate.[98]

4.3.2 McKinley backer

For further information on the debate about the goldstandard in the 1896 campaign, see Cross of Gold speech.

Hay was an early supporter of Ohios William McKin-ley, and worked closely with McKinleys political man-ager, Cleveland industrialistMark Hanna. In 1889, Haysupported McKinley in his unsuccessful effort to becomeSpeaker of the House.[99] Four years later, McKinleyby then Governor of Ohiofaced a crisis when a friendwhose notes he had imprudently co-signed went bankruptduring the Panic of 1893. Thedebts were beyond the gov-ernors means to pay, and the possibility of insolvencythreatened McKinleys promising political career. Haywas among those Hanna called upon to contribute, buy-ing up $3,000 of the debt of over $100,000. Althoughothers paid more, Hays checks were two of the first, and

his touch was more personal, a kindness McKinley neverforgot. The governor wrote, How can I ever repay you& other dear friends? extquotedbl[100]

The same panic that nearly ruined McKinley convincedHay that men like himself must take office to save thecountry from disaster. By the end of 1894, he wasdeeply involved in efforts to lay the groundwork for thegovernors 1896 presidential bid. It was Hays job topersuade potential supporters that McKinley was worthbacking.[101] Nevertheless, Hay found time for a lengthystay in New Hampshireone visitor at The Fells inmid-1895 wasRudyard Kiplingand later in the year

wrote, The summer wanes and I have done nothing forMcKinley.[102] He atoned with a $500 check to Hanna,the first of many that were to follow.[102] During thewinter of 189596, Hay passed along what he heardfrom other Republicans influential in Washington, suchas Massachusetts SenatorHenry Cabot Lodge.[103]

Hay spent part of the spring and early summer of 1896 inthe United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe. Therewas a border dispute between Venezuela and BritishGuiana, and Clevelands Secretary of State, Richard Ol-ney, supported the Venezuelan position. Hay told Britishpoliticians that McKinley, if elected, would be unlikely to

change course. McKinley was nominated in June 1896;still, many Britons were minded to support whoever be-came the Democratic candidate. This changed when the

Hay supportedWilliam McKinley in the 1896 presidential elec-

tion.

1896 Democratic National Convention nominated for-mer Nebraska congressmanWilliam Jennings Bryanon a

extquotedblfree silverextquotedbl platform; he had elec-trified the delegates with hisCross of Gold speech. Hayreported to McKinley when he returned to Britain after abrief stay on the Continent during which Bryan was nom-inated in Chicago: they were all scared out of their witsfor fear Bryan would be elected, and very polite in theirreferences to you.[104][105]

Once Hay returned to the United States in early August,he went to The Fells and watched from afar as Bryanbarnstormedthe nation inhis campaignwhile McKinleygave speechesfrom his front porch. Despite an invitationfrom the candidate, Hay was reluctant to visit McKinley

at his home in Canton. He has asked me to come, but Ithought I would not struggle with the millions on his tram-pled lawn. [106] In October, after basing himself at hisCleveland home and giving a speech for McKinley, Haywent to Canton at last, writing to Adams,

I had been dreading it for a month, think-ing it would be like talking in a boiler factory.But he met me at the [railroad] station, gaveme meat & took me upstairs and talked for twohours as calmly & serenely as if we were sum-mer boarders in Bethlehem, at a loss for means

to kill time. I was more struck than ever withhis mask. It is a genuine Italian ecclesiasticalface of the XVth Century.[107]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_porch_campaignhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jennings_Bryan_presidential_campaign,_1896https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_stop_train_tourhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Gold_speechhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_silverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jennings_Bryanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Democratic_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Olneyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Olneyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Guianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Guianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cabot_Lodgehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudyard_Kiplinghttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1893https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hannahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Gold_speechhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1892https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Benjamin_Harrisonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Benjamin_Harrisonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Harrison


8/24

8 5 AMBASSADOR

Hay was disgusted by Bryans speeches, writing in lan-guage that Taliaferro compares to The Bread-Winnersthat the Democrat simply reiterates the unquestionedtruths thatevery man with a clean shirt is a thief and oughtto be hanged: that there is no goodness and wisdom ex-cept among the illiterate & criminal classes.[107] Despite

Bryans strenuous efforts, McKinley won the election eas-ily, with a campaign run by himself and Hanna, and well-financed by supporters like Hay.[107] Henry Adams laterwondered, I would give six-pence to know how muchHay paid for McKinley. His politics must have cost. [108]

5 Ambassador

5.1 Appointment

In the post-election speculation as to who would be givenoffice under McKinley, Hays name figured prominently,as did that of Whitelaw Reid; both men sought high of-fice in the State Department, either as secretary or one ofthe major ambassadorial posts. Reid, in addition to hisvice-presidential run, had been Minister to France underHarrison. Reid, anasthmatic, handicapped himself bydeparting forArizona Territoryfor the winter, leading tospeculation about his health.[109]

Mark Hanna

Hay was faster than Reid to realize that the race for theseposts would be affected by Hannas desire to be sena-tor from Ohio, as with one of the states places aboutto be occupied by the newly electedJoseph B. Foraker,the only possible seat for him was that held by SenatorSherman. As the septuagenarian senator had served as

Treasury Secretary under Hayes, only the secretaryshipof state was likely to attract him and cause a vacancy thatHanna could fill. Hay knew that with only eight cabinet

positions, only one could go to an Ohioan, and so Hayhad no chance for a cabinet post. Accordingly, Hay en-couraged Reid to seek the State position, while firmlyruling himself out as a possible candidate for that post,and quietly seeking the inside track to be ambassador inLondon.[109] Zeitz states that Hay aggressively lobbied

for the position.[110]

According to Taliaferro, only after the deed was ac-complished and Hay was installed as the ambassador tothe Court of St. Jamess would it be possible to detectjust how subtly and completely he had finessed his allyand friend, Whitelaw Reid.[111] A telegraph from Hay toMcKinleyin the latters papers, dated December 26 (mostlikely 1896) reveals the formers suggestion that McKin-ley tell Reid that the editors friends had insisted that Reidnot endanger his health through office, especially in Lon-dons smoggy climes. The following month, in a letter,Hay set forth his own case for the ambassadorship, and

urged McKinley to act quickly, as suitable accommoda-tions in London would be difficult to secure. Hay gainedhis object (as did Hanna), and shifted his focus to ap-peasing Reid. Taliaferro states that Reid never blamedHay,[112] but Kushner and Sherrill recorded, Reid wascertain that he had been wronged by Hay, and the an-nouncement of Hays appointment nearly ended their 26-year friendship.[113]

Reaction to Hays appointment in Britain was generallypositive, with George Smalley of The Timeswriting tohim, we want a man who is a true American yet notanti-English.[114] Hay secured a Georgian house on Carl-

ton House Terrace, overlooking Horse Guards Parade,with 11 servants. He brought with him Clara, their ownsilver, two carriages, and five horses. Hays salary of$17,000[115] did not even begin to cover the cost of theirextravagant lifestyle.[110]

5.2 Service

During his service as ambassador, Hay attempted to ad-vance the relationship between the U.S. and Britain. Thelatter country had long been seen negatively by manyAmericans, legacy of its colonial role and refreshed byits Civil War neutrality, when British-built raiders suchas the Alabama preyed on US-flagged ships. In spiteof these past differences, according to Taliaferro, rap-prochement made more sense than at any time in their re-spective histories.[116] In his Thanksgiving Day addressto the American Society in London in 1897, Hay echoedthese points, The great body of people in the UnitedStates and England are friends ... [sharing] that intenserespect and reverence for order, liberty, and law which isso profound a sentiment in both countries.[117] AlthoughHay was not successful in resolving specific controversiesin his year and a third as ambassador, both he and British

policymakers regarded his tenure as a success, becauseof the advancement of good feelings and cooperation be-tween the two nations.[118]
http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Alabamahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_in_the_American_Civil_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Guards_Paradehttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Ohio,_1898#Background_and_appointment_of_Hannahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Ohio,_1898#Background_and_appointment_of_Hannahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_B._Forakerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hannahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Territoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma


9/24

9

Caricature of Hay inVanity Fair1897

An ongoing dispute between the U.S. and Britain wasover the practice of pelagic sealing, that is, the captureof seals offshore of Alaska. The U.S. considered themAmerican resources; the Canadians (Britain was still re-sponsible for that dominions foreign policy) contendedthat the mammals were being taken on the high seas, freeto all. Soon after Hays arrival, McKinley sent formerSecretary of StateJohn W. Fosterto London to negotiatethe issue. Foster quickly issued an accusatory note to theBritish that was printed in the newspapers. Although Haywas successful in gettingLord Salisbury, then both PrimeMinister and Foreign Secretary, to agree to a conferenceto decide the matter, the British withdrew when the U.S.also invited Russia and Japan, rendering the conferenceineffective.[119] Another issue on which no agreement wasreached was that of bimetallism: McKinley had promisedsilver-leaning Republicans to seek an international agree-ment varying the price ratio between silver and gold toallow for free coinage of silver, and Hay was instructedto seek British participation. The British would only joinif the Indian colonial government (on a silver standard un-

til 1893) was willing; this did not occur, and coupled withan improving economic situation that decreased supportfor bimetallism in the United States, no agreement was

reached.[120]

Hay had little involvement in the crisis over Cuba that cul-minated in the Spanish-American War. Hemet with LordSalisbury in October 1897 and gained assurances Britainwould not intervene if the U.S. found it necessary to go to

war against Spain. Hays role was to make friends and topass along the English point of view to Washington.[121]

Hay spent much of early 1898 on an extended trip to theMiddle East, and did not return to London until the lastweek of March, by which time theUSS Maine had ex-ploded in Havana harbor. During the war, he worked toensure U.S.-British amity,[122] and British acceptance ofthe U.S. occupation of the PhilippinesSalisbury and hisgovernment preferred that the U.S. have the islands thanhave them fall into the hands of the Germans.[123]

In its early days, Hay described the war as necessary as itis righteous.[124] In July, writing to former Assistant Sec-

retary of the NavyTheodore Roosevelt, who had gainedwartime glory by leading the Rough Riders volunteer reg-iment, Hay made a description of the war[125] for which,according to Zeitz, he is best remembered by many stu-dents of American history extquotedbl:[126]

It has been a splendid little war, begun withthe highest motives, carried on with magnif-icent intelligence and spirit, favored by thatFortune that loves the brave. It is now to beconcluded, I hope, with that fine good nature,which is, after all, the distinguishing trait of theAmerican character.[125]

Secretary Sherman had resigned on the eve of war, andbeen replaced by his first assistant,William R. Day. Oneof McKinleys Canton cronies, with little experience ofstatecraft, Day was never intended as more than a tem-porary wartime replacement.[127] With America about tosplash her flag across the Pacific, McKinley needed asecretary with stronger credentials.[128] On August 14,1898, Hay received a telegram from McKinley that Daywould head the American delegation to the peace talkswith Spain, and that Hay would be the new Secretary ofState. After some indecision, Hay, who did not think hecould decline and still remain as ambassador, accepted.British response to Hays promotion was generally posi-tive, andQueen Victoria, after he took formal leave ofher at Osborne House, invited him again the followingday, and subsequently pronounced him, the most inter-esting of all the Ambassadors I have known.[129]

6 Secretary of State

6.1 McKinley years

John Hay was sworn in as Secretary of State on Septem-ber 30, 1898. He needed little introduction to Cabinet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Househttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoriahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_R._Dayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough_Ridershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelthttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(ACR-1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-American_Warhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimetallismhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Salisburyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Fosterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_(British_magazine)


10/24

10 6 SECRETARY OF STATE

Hay signs theTreaty of Paris, 1899

meetings, and sat at the Presidents right hand. Meet-ings were held in the Cabinet Room of the White House,where he found his old office and bedroom each occupiedby several clerks. Now responsible for 1,300 federal em-ployees, he leaned heavily for administrative help on hisold friend Alvey Adee, the second assistant.[130]

By the time Hay took office, the war was effectively overand it had been decided to strip Spain of her overseas em-pire and transfer at least part of it to the United States.[131]

At the time of Hays swearing-in, McKinley was still un-decided whether to take the Philippines, but in Octoberfinally decided to do so, and Hay sent instructions to Dayand the other peace commissioners to insist on it. Spainyielded, and the result was theTreaty of Paris, narrowlyratified by the Senate in February 1899 over the objec-tions of anti-imperialists.[132]

6.1.1 Open Door Policy

Main article:Open Door Policy

By the 1890s, China had become a major trading partnerfor Western nations, and for Japan. China lacked mili-tary muscle to resist these countries, and several, includ-

ing Russia, Britain, and Germany, had carved off bits ofChinasome known astreaty portsfor use as tradingor military bases. Within those jurisdictions, the nationin possession often gave preference to its own citizens intrade or in developing infrastructure such as railroads.Although the United States did not claim any parts ofChina, a third of the China trade was carried in Amer-ican ships, and having an outpost near there was a majorfactor in deciding to retain the former Spanish colony ofthe Philippines in the Treaty of Paris.[133][134]

Hay had been concerned about the Far East since the1870s. As Ambassador, he had attempted to forge a

common policy with the British, but the United Kingdomwas willing to undertake territorial acquisition in Chinato guard its interests there whereas McKinley was not.

In March 1898, Hay warned that Russia, Germany, andFrance were seeking to exclude Britain and America fromthe China trade, but he was disregarded by Sherman, whoaccepted assurances from Russia and Germany.[134]

McKinley was of the view that equality of opportu-

nity for American trade in China was key to successthere, rather than colonial acquisitions; that Hay sharedthese views was one reason for his appointment as Sec-retary of State.[135] Many influential Americans, seeingcoastal China being divided into spheres of influence,urged McKinley to join in; still, in his annual messageto Congressin December 1898, he stated that as longas Americans were not discriminated against, he saw noneed for the United States to become an actor in thescene.[136]

As Secretary of State, it was Hays responsibility to puttogether a workable China policy. He was advised by

William Rockhill, an old China hand.

[137]

Also influentialwasCharles Beresford, a BritishMember of Parliamentwho gave a number of speeches to American business-men, met with McKinley and Hay, and in a letter to thesecretary stated that it is imperative for American inter-ests as well as our own that the policy of the 'open door'should be maintained.[138] Assuring that all would playon an even playing field in China would give the foreignpowers little incentive to dismember the Chinese Empirethrough territorial acquisition.[139]

In mid-1899, the British inspector of Chinese maritimecustoms,Alfred Hippisley, visited the United States. Ina letter to Rockhill, a friend, he urged that the UnitedStates and other powers agree to uniform Chinese tariffs,including in the enclaves. Rockhill passed the letter onto Hay,[139] and subsequently summarized the thinkingof Hippisley and others, that there should be an openmarket through China for our trade on terms of equal-ity with all other foreigners.[140] Hay was in agreement,but feared Senate and popular opposition, and wanted toavoid Senate ratification of a treaty.[141] Rockhill draftedthe first Open Door note, calling for equality of commer-cial opportunity for foreigners in China.[142]

Hay formally issued his Open Door note on September6, 1899. This was not a treaty, and did not require theapproval of the Senate. Most of the powers had at leastsome caveats, and negotiations continued through the re-mainder of the year. On March 20, 1900, Hay announcedthat all powers had agreed, and he was not contradicted.Former secretary Day wrote to Hay, congratulating him,moving at the right time and in the right manner, youhave secured a diplomatic triumph in the 'open door' inChina of the first importance to your country.[143]

6.1.2 Boxer Rebellion

Main article:Boxer Rebellion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Rebellionhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hippisleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_of_Parliamenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Beresfordhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Woodville_Rockhillhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Unionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Unionhttp://-/?-http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_porthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Door_Policyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1898)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1898)


11/24

6.2 Theodore Roosevelt administration 11

Little thought was given to the Chinese reaction to theOpen Door note; the Chinese minister in Washington,Wu Ting-fang, did not learn of it until he read of it inthe newspapers.[144] Among those in China who opposedWestern influence there was a movement in ShantungProvince, in the north, that became known as the Fists of

Righteous Harmony, or Boxers, after the martial arts theypracticed. The Boxers were especially angered by mis-sionaries and their converts. As late as June 1900, Rock-hill dismissed the Boxers, contending that they wouldsoon disband. By the middle of that month, the Boxers,joined by imperial troops, had cut the railroad betweenPekingand the coast, killed many missionaries and con-verts, and besieged the foreign legations. Hay faced a pre-carious situation; how to rescue the Americans trapped inPeking, and how to avoid giving the other powers an ex-cuse to partition China, in an election year when therewas already Democrat opposition to what they deemed

American imperialism.[145]

As American troops were sent to China to relieve the na-tions legation, Hay sent a letter to foreign powers (of-ten called the Second Open Door note), stating whilethe United States wanted to see lives preserved and theguilty punished, it intended that China not be dismem-bered. Hay issued this on July 3, 1900, suspecting thatthe powers were quietly making private arrangements todivide up China. Communication between the foreignlegations and the outside world had been cut off, and thepersonnel there were presumed slaughtered, but Hay re-alized that Minister Wu could get a message in, and Hay

was able to establish communication. Hay suggested tothe Chinese government that it now cooperate for its owngood. When the foreign relief force, principally Japanesebut including 2,000 Americans, relieved the legations andsacked Peking, China was made to pay a huge indemnitybut there was no cession of land.[146][147]

6.1.3 Death of McKinley

Main article:Assassination of William McKinley

McKinleys vice president, Garret Hobart, had died inNovember 1899. Under the laws then in force, this madeHay next in line to the presidency should anything happento McKinley. There was apresidential election in 1900,and McKinley was unanimously renominated at the Re-publican National Conventionthat year. He allowed theconvention to make its own choice of running mate, and itselected Roosevelt, by thenGovernor of New York. Sen-ator Hanna bitterly opposed that choice, but neverthelessraised millions for the McKinley/Roosevelt ticket, whichwas elected.[148]

Hay accompanied McKinley on his nationwide train tour

in mid-1901, during which both men visited Californiaand saw the Pacific Ocean for the only times in theirlives.[149] The summer of 1901 was tragic for Hay; his

older son Adelbert, who had been consul in Pretoriadur-ing theBoer Warand was about to become McKinleyspersonal secretary, died in a fall from aNew Havenhotelwindow.[150][151]

Secretary Hay was at The Fells when McKinleywas shot

byLeon Czolgosz, an anarchist, on September 6 in Buf-falo. With Vice President Roosevelt and much of the cab-inet hastening to the bedside of McKinley, who had beenoperated on (it was thought successfully) soon after theshooting, Hay planned to go to Washington to managethe communication with foreign governments, but pres-idential secretaryGeorge Cortelyouurged him to cometo Buffalo.[152] He traveled to Buffalo on September 10;hearing on his arrival an account of the Presidents re-covery, Hay responded that McKinley would die.[153] Hewas more cheerful after visiting McKinley, giving a state-ment to the press, and went to Washington, as Rooseveltand other officials also dispersed. Hay was about to re-

turn to New Hampshire on the 13th, when word camethat McKinley was dying. Hay remained at his officeand the next morning, on the way to Buffalo, the formerRough Rider received from Hay his first communicationas head of state, officially informing President Rooseveltof McKinleys death.[154]

6.2 Theodore Roosevelt administration

6.2.1 Staying on

Theodore Roosevelt

Hay, again next in line to the presidency, remained inWashington as McKinleys body was transported to the
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cortelyouhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Czolgoszhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven,_Connecticuthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretoriahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_New_Yorkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Republican_National_Conventionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1900https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garret_Hobarthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinleyhttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Ting-fang


12/24

12 6 SECRETARY OF STATE

capital by funeral train, and stayed there as the late pres-ident was taken to Canton for interment.[155] He had ad-mired McKinley, describing him as awfully like Lin-coln in many respects[156] and wrote to a friend, what astrange and tragic fate it has been of mineto stand bythe bier of three of my dearest friends, Lincoln, Garfield,

and McKinley, three of the gentlest of men, all risen to behead of the State, and all done to death by assassins.[157]

By letter, Hay offered his resignation to Roosevelt whilethe new president was still in Buffalo, amid newspa-per speculation that Hay would be replacedGarfieldsSecretary of State, Blaine, had not remained long un-der the Arthur administration.[158] When Hay met thefuneral train in Washington, Roosevelt greeted him atthe station and immediately told him he must stay on asSecretary.[159] According to Zeitz, Roosevelts acciden-tal ascendance to the presidency made John Hay an essen-tial anachronism ... the wise elder statesman and senior

member of the cabinet, he was indispensable to TR, whoeven today remains the youngest president ever.[160]

The deaths of his son and of McKinley were not theonly griefs Hay suffered in 1901on September 26, JohnNicolay died after a long illness, as did Hays close friendClarence Kingon Christmas Eve.[161]

6.2.2 Panama

Hays involvement in the efforts to have a canal joiningthe oceans in Central America went back to his time asAssistant Secretary of State under Hayes, when he servedas translator forFerdinand de Lessepsin his efforts to in-terest the American government in investing in his canalcompany. President Hayes was only interested in the ideaof a canal under American control, which de Lessepssproject would not be.[162] By the time Hay became Sec-retary of State, de Lessepss project in Panama (then aColombian province) had collapsed, as had an American-run project in Nicaragua.[163] The 1850Clayton-BulwerTreatyforbade the United States from building a CentralAmerican canal that it exclusively controlled, and Hay,from early in his tenure, sought the removal of this restric-

tion. But the Canadians, for whose foreign policy Britainwas still available, saw the canal matter as their greatestleverage to get other disputes resolved in their favor, per-suaded Salisbury not to resolve it independently. Shortlybefore Hay took office, Britain and the U.S. agreed to es-tablish a Joint High Commission to adjudicate unsettledmatters, which met in late 1898 but made slow progress,especially on the Canada-Alaska boundary.[164][165]

The Alaska issue became less contentious in August 1899when the Canadians accepted a provisional boundarypending final settlement.[166] With Congress anxious tobegin work on a canal bill, and increasingly likely to ig-

nore the Clayton-Bulwer restriction, Hay and British Am-bassadorJulian Pauncefotebegan work on a new treaty inJanuary 1900. The firstHay-Pauncefote Treatywas sent

to the Senate the following month, where it met a coldreception, as the terms forbade the United States fromblockading or fortifying the canal, that was to be open toall nations in wartime as in peace. TheSenate ForeignRelations Committeeadded an amendment allowing theU.S. to fortify the canal, then in March postponed fur-

ther consideration until after the 1900 election. Hay sub-mitted his resignation, which McKinley refused.[167] Thetreaty, as amended, was ratified by the Senate in Decem-ber, but the British would not agree to the changes.[168]

Despite the lack of agreement, Congress was enthusias-tic about a canal, and was inclined to move forward, withor without a treaty. Authorizing legislation was slowedby discussion on whether to take the Nicaraguan or Pana-manian route.[169] Much of the negotiation of a revisedtreaty, allowing the U.S. to fortify the canal, took placebetween Hays replacement in London, Joseph H. Choate,and the British Foreign Secretary,Lord Lansdowne, and

the second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty was ratified by theSenate by a large margin on December 6, 1901.[170]

Seeing that the Americans were likely to build aNicaragua Canal, the owners of the defunct French com-pany, includingPhilippe Bunau-Varilla, who still had ex-clusive rights to the Panama route, lowered their price.Beginning in early 1902, President Roosevelt became abacker of the latter route, and Congress passed legis-lation for it, if it could be secured within a reasonabletime.[171] In June, Roosevelt told Hay to take personalcharge of the negotiations with Colombia.[172] Later thatyear, Hay began talks with Colombias acting minister

in Washington,Toms Herrn. TheHay-Herrn Treaty,granting $10 million to Colombia for the right to build acanal, plus $250,000 annually, was signed on January 22,1903, and ratified by the United States Senate two monthslater.[173] In August, however, the treaty was rejected bytheColombian Senate.[174]

Roosevelt was minded to build the canal anyway, usingan earlier treaty with Colombia that gave the U.S. transitrights in regard to thePanama Railroad. Hay predictedan insurrection on the Isthmus [of Panama] against thatregime of folly and graft ... at Bogot extquotedbl.[175]

Bunau-Varilla gained meetings with both men, and as-

sured them that a revolution, and a Panamanian govern-ment more friendly to a canal, was coming. In Octo-ber, Roosevelt ordered Navy ships to be stationed nearPanama. The Panamanians duly revolted in early Novem-ber 1903, with Colombian interference deterred by thepresence of U.S. forces. By prearrangement, Bunau-Varilla was appointed representative of the nascent nationin Washington, and quickly negotiated the HayBunau-Varilla Treaty, signed on November 18, giving the UnitedStates the right to build the canal in a zone10 miles (16km) wide, over which the U.S. would exercise full juris-diction. This was less than satisfactory to the Panama-

nian diplomats who arrived in Washington shortly afterthe signing, but they did not dare renounce it. The treatywas approved by the two nations, and work on the Panama
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_Zonehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_Panama_from_Colombiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Railroadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombian_Senatehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Bunau-Varillahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Petty-Fitzmaurice,_5th_Marquess_of_Lansdownehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_H._Choatehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Foreign_Relations_Committeehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Foreign_Relations_Committeehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay-Pauncefote_Treatyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Pauncefotehttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton-Bulwer_Treatyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton-Bulwer_Treatyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Lessepshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Kinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Chester_A._Arthur


13/24

6.2 Theodore Roosevelt administration 13

Canalbegan in 1904.[176] Hay wrote toSecretary of WarElihu Root, praising the perfectly regular course whichthe President did follow as much preferable to armedoccupation of the isthmus.[177]

6.2.3 Relationship with Roosevelt, other events

Hay had met the Presidents father,Theodore Roosevelt,Sr., during the Civil War, and during his time at theTribunecame to know the adolescent Teddy, twentyyears younger than himself.[99] Although before becom-ing president Roosevelt often wrote fulsome letters ofpraise to Secretary Hay, his letters to others then and laterwere less complimentary. Hay felt Roosevelt too impul-sive, and privately opposed his inclusion on the ticket in1900, though he quickly wrote a congratulatory note afterthe convention.[178]

As President and Secretary of State, the two men tookpains to cultivate a cordial relationship. Roosevelt readall ten volumes of the Lincoln biography[160] and in mid-1903, wrote to Hay that by then I have had a chanceto know far more fully what a really great Secretary ofState you are.[174] Hay for his part publicly praised Roo-sevelt as young, gallant, able, [and] brilliant, words thatRoosevelt wrote that he hoped would be engraved on histombstone.[160]

Privately, and in correspondence with others, they wereless generous: Hay grumbled that while McKinley wouldgive him his full attention, Roosevelt was always busywith others, and it would be an hours wait for a minutestalk.[160] Roosevelt, after Hays death in 1905, wroteto Senator Lodge that Hay had not been a great Sec-retary of State ... under me he accomplished little ...his usefulness to me was almost exclusively the useful-ness of a fine figurehead.[179] Nevertheless, when Roo-sevelt successfully sought election in his own right in1904, he persuaded the aging and infirm Hay to cam-paign for him, and Hay gave a speech linking the admin-istrations policies with those of Lincoln: there is not aprinciple avowed by the Republican party to-day whichis out of harmony with his [Lincolns] teaching or incon-

sistent with his character.[180] Kushner and Sherrill sug-gested that the differences between Hay and Rooseveltwere more style than ideological substance.[181]

In December 1902, the German government asked Roo-sevelt to arbitrate its dispute with Venezuela over unpaiddebts. Hay did not think this appropriate, as Venezuelaalso owed the U.S. money, and quickly arranged for theInternational Court of Arbitrationin The Hague to stepin. Hay supposedly said, as final details were beingworked out, I have it all arranged. If Teddy will keephis mouth shut until tomorrow noon! extquotedbl[182]

Hay and Roosevelt also differed over the composition of

the Joint High Commission that was to settle the Alaskaboundary dispute. The commission was to be composedof impartial jurists and the British and Canadians duly

appointed notable judges. Roosevelt appointed politi-cians, including Secretary Root and Senator Lodge. Al-though Hay was supportive of the Presidents choices inpublic, in private he protested loudly to Roosevelt, com-plained by letter to his friends, and offered his resigna-tion. Roosevelt declined it, but the incident confirmed

him in his belief that Hay was too much of an Anglophileto be trusted where Britain was concerned. The Amer-ican position on the boundary dispute was imposed onCanada by a 42 vote, with the one English judge joiningthe three Americans.[182]

Political cartoon on thePerdicaris affair

One incident involving Hay that benefitted Roosevelt po-litically was the kidnapping of Greek-American playboyIon Perdicarisin Morocco[lower-alpha 5] by chieftainMulaiAhmed er Raisuli, an opponent of Sultan Abdelaziz.Raisuli demanded a ransom, but also wanted politicalprisoners to be released and control of Tangier in place ofthe military governor. Raisuli supposed Perdicaris to be

a wealthy American, and hoped United States pressurewould secure his demands. In fact, Perdicaris, thoughborn in New Jersey, had renounced his citizenship dur-ing the Civil War to avoid Confederate confiscation ofproperty in South Carolina, and had accepted Greek nat-uralization, a fact not generally known until years later,but that decreased Roosevelts desire for military ac-tion. The sultan was ineffective in dealing with the inci-dent, and Roosevelt considered seizing the Tangier water-front, source of much of Abdelazizs income, as a meansof motivating him. With Raisulis demands escalating,Hay, with Roosevelts approval, finally cabled the consul-

general in Tangier,Samuel Gummer:

We want Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_R._Gummerehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangierhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelaziz_of_Moroccohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulai_Ahmed_er_Raisulihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulai_Ahmed_er_Raisulihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_Perdicarishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_Perdicarishttp://-/?-http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Court_of_Arbitrationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1904https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1904http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt,_Sr.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt,_Sr.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elihu_Roothttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal


14/24

14 7 LITERARY CAREER

We desire least possible complications withMorocco or other Powers. You will notarrange for landing marines or seizing cus-toms house without specific direction from the[State] department.[183][184]

The1904 Republican National Convention was in ses-sion, and the Speaker of the House, Joseph Can-non, its chair, read the first sentence of the cableand only the first sentenceto the convention, elec-trifying what had been a humdrum coronation ofRoosevelt.[lower-alpha 6][185] The results were perfect.This was the fighting Teddy that America loved,and his frenzied supportersand American chauvinistseverywhereroared in delight.[184] In fact, by then thesultan had already agreed to the demands, and Perdicariswas released. What was seen as tough talk boosted Roo-sevelts election chances.[185]

6.2.4 Final months and death

Hay, circa 1904

Hay never fully recovered from the death of his son Adel-bert, writing in 1904 to his close friend Lizzie Cameronthat the death of our boy made my wife and me old, atonce and for the rest of our lives.[186] Gale described

Hay in his final years as a saddened, slowly dying oldman.[187]

Although Hay gave speeches in support of Roosevelt, he

spent much of the fall of 1904 at his New Hampshirehouse or with his younger brother Charles, who was illin Boston. After the election, Roosevelt asked Hay toremain another four years. Hay asked for time to con-sider, but the President did not allow it, announcing to thepress two days later that Hay would stay at his post. Early

1905 saw futility for Hay, as a number of treaties he hadnegotiated were defeated or amended by the Senateone involving the British dominion ofNewfoundlanddueto Senator Lodges fears it would harm his fishermanconstituents. Others, promoting arbitration, were voteddown or amended because the Senate did not want to bebypassed in the settlement of international disputes.[188]

By Roosevelts inauguration on March 4, 1905, Hayshealth was so bad that both his wife and his friendHenry Adams insisted on his going to Europe, where hecould rest and get medical treatment. Presidential doctorPresley Rixeyissued a statement that Hay was suffering

from overwork, but in letters the secretary hinted his con-viction that he did not have long to live.[189] An eminentphysician in Italy prescribed medicinal baths for Haysheart condition, and he duly journeyed toBad Nauheim,nearFrankfurt, Germany. KaiserWilhelm IIwas amongthe monarchs who wrote to Hay asking him to visit,thoughhe declined; Belgian KingLeopold II succeeded inseeing him by showing up at his hotel, unannounced.[190]

Adams suggested that Hay retire while there was stillenough life left in him to do so, and that Roosevelt wouldbe delighted to act as his own Secretary of State.[191] Hayjokingly wrote to sculptorAugustus Saint-Gaudensthat

there is nothing the matter with me except old age, theSenate, and one or two other mortal maladies.[192]

After the course of treatment, Hay went to Paris and be-gan to take on his workload again by meeting with theFrench foreign minister,Thophile Delcass. In London,KingEdward VIIbroke protocol by meeting with Hay ina small drawing room, and Hay lunched with WhitelawReid, ambassador in London at last. There was not timeto see all who wished to see Hay on what he knew was hisfinal visit.[193] Despite his familys desire to take him toNew Hampshire, the Secretary returned to Washingtonto deal with departmental business and say Ave Caesar!

to the President, as Hay put it.[194]

He was pleased tolearn that Roosevelt was well on his way to settling theRusso-Japanese War, an action for which the Presidentwould win theNobel Peace Prize.[195] Hay left Washing-ton for the last time on June 23, 1905, arriving in NewHampshire the following day. He died there on July 1of his heart ailment and complications. Hay was interredinLake View Cemeteryin Cleveland, near the grave ofGarfield, in the presence of Roosevelt and many digni-taries, including Robert Lincoln.[196]

7 Literary career
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_View_Cemeteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prizehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ave_Caesarhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/%EE%BF%80https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Saint-Gaudenshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_II_of_Belgiumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_II_of_Germanyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt,_Germanyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Nauheimhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presley_Rixeyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_inauguration_of_Theodore_Roosevelthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_and_Labradorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gurney_Cannonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gurney_Cannonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1904_Republican_National_Convention


15/24

7.2 The Bread-Winners 15

7.1 Early works

Hay wrote some poetry while at Brown University, andmore during the Civil War.[197] In 1865, early in his Parisstay, Hay penned Sunrise in the Place de la Concorde,

a poem attacking Napoleon III for his reinstitution ofthe monarchy, depicting the Emperor as having been en-trusted with the child Democracy byLiberty, and stran-gling it with his own hands.[198] In A Triumph of Order,set in the breakup of theParis Commune, a boy promisessoldiers that he will return from an errand to be executedwith hisfellow rebels. Much to their surprise, he keepshisword and shouts to them to blaze away as The Chasse-pots tore the stout young heart,/And saved Society.[199]

In poetry, he sought the revolutionary outcome for othernations that he believed had come to a successful conclu-sion in the United States. His 1871 poem, The Prayer

of the Romans, recites Italian history up to that time,with theRisorgimentoin progress: liberty cannot be trulypresent until crosier and crown pass away, when therewill be One freedom, one faith without fetters,/One re-public in Italy free! extquotedbl[200] His stay in Viennayielded The Curse of Hungary, in which Hay fore-sees the end of theAustria-Hungarian Empire.[201] Af-ter Hays death in 1905, William Dean Howells sug-gested that the Europe-themed poems expressed extquot-edbl(now, perhaps, old-fashioned) American sympathyfor all the oppressed.[202] Castilian Days, souvenir ofHays time in Madrid, is a collection of seventeen es-

says about Spanish history and customs, first published in1871, though several of the individual chapters appearedin The Atlanticin 1870. It went through eight editionsin Hays lifetime. The Spanish are depicted as afflictedby the triple curse of crown, crozier, and sabremostkings and ecclesiastics are presented as uselessand Haypins his hope in the republican movement in Spain. [203]

Gale deems Castilian Daysa remarkable, if biased, bookof essays about Spanish civilization.[204]

And this was all the religion he had

To treat his engine well,

Never be passed on the river

And mind the pilots bell.And if ever thePrairie Belletook fire,A hundred times he swore,

He'd hold her nozzle agin the bank

Till the last soul got ashore.

John Hay, Jim Bludso (1871)[205]

Pike County Ballads, a grouping of six poems published(with other Hay poetry) as a book in 1871,[206] broughthim great success. Written in the dialect of Pike County,

Illinois, where Hay went to school as a child, they are ap-proximately contemporaneous with pioneering poems insimilar dialect byBret Harteand there has been debate as

to which came first.[207] The poem that brought the great-est immediate reaction was Jim Bludso, about a boat-man who is no saint with one wife in Mississippi andanother in Illinois.[208] Yet, when his steamboat catchesfire, He saw his duty, a dead-sure thing,/And wentfor it, thar and then.[209] Jim holds the burning steam-

boat against the riverbank until the last passenger getsashore, at the cost of his life. Hays narrator states that,And Christ ain't a-going to be too hard/On a man thatdied for men. Hays poem offended some clergymen, butwas widely reprinted and even included in anthologies ofverse.[210]

7.2 The Bread-Winners

Main article:The Bread-WinnersThe Bread-Winners, one of the first novels to take an anti-

First edition cover ofThe Bread-Winners(1883)

labor perspective, was published anonymously in 1883(published editions did not bear Hays name until 1916)and he may have tried to disguise his writing style.[211]

The book examines two conflicts: between capital andlabor, and between the nouveau riche and old money.In writing it, Hay was influenced by the labor unrest ofthe 1870s, that affected him personally, as corporationsbelonging to Stone, his father-in-law, were among thosestruck,[212] at a time when Hay had been left in charge in

Stones absence. According to historian Scott Dalrymple,in response, Hay proceeded to write an indictment of or-ganized labor so scathing, so vehement, that he dared not
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bread-Winnershttp://-/?-http://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bret_Hartehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_County_Balladshttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Atlantichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Dean_Howellshttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungarian_Empirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risorgimentohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Communehttp://-/?-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_(goddess)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_III_of_France


16/24

16 8 ASSESSMENT AND LEGACY

attach his name to it.[213]

The major character is Arthur Farnham, a wealthy CivilWar veteran, likely based on Hay.[214] Farnham, whoinherited money, is without much influence in munici-pal politics, as his ticket is defeated in elections, sym-

bolic of the decreasing influence of Americas old-moneypatricians.[215] The villain is Andrew Jackson Offitt (truename Ananias Offitt), who leads the Bread-winners, alabor organization that begins a violent general strike.Peace is restored by a group of veterans led by Farnham,and, at the end, he appears likely to marry Alice Belding,a woman of his own class.[214]

Although unusual among the many books inspired by thelabor unrest of the late 1870s in taking the perspective ofthe wealthy, it was the most successful of them, and wasa sensation, gaining many favorable reviews.[216] It wasalso attacked as an anti-labor polemic with an upper-class

bias.

[217]

There were many guesses as to authorship, withthe supposed authors ranging from Hays friend HenryAdams to New York Governor Grover Cleveland, and thespeculation fueled sales.[213]

7.3 Lincoln biography

Main article:Abraham Lincoln: A History

Early in his presidency, Hay and Nicolay requestedand received permission from Lincoln to write his

biography.[23] By 1872, Hay was convinced that weought to be at work on our 'Lincoln.' I don't think the timefor publication has come, but the time for preparationis slipping away.[218] Robert Lincoln in 1874 formallyagreed to let Hay and Nicolay use his fathers papers; by1875, they were engaged in research. Hay and Nicolayenjoyed exclusive access to Lincolns papers, which werenot opened to other researchers until 1947. They gath-ered documents written by others, as well as many of theCivil War books already being published. They at raretimes relied on memory, such as Nicolays recollectionof the moment at the 1860 Republican convention when

Lincoln was nominated, but for much of the rest reliedon research.[218]

Hay began his part of the writing in 1876;[219] the workwas interrupted by illnesses of Hay, Nicolay, or fam-ily members,[218] or by Hays writing of The Bread-Winners.[219] By 1885, Hay had completed the chapterson Lincolns early life,[220] and they were submitted toRobert Lincoln for approval.[221] Sale of the serializationrights to The Century magazine, edited by Hays friendRichard Gilder, helped give the pair the impetus to bringwhat had become a massi

wikipedia's featured article - 2014-10-08 - john hay

Documents