Franklin D. Roosevelt: Typed Letter Signed as Assistant Secretary of the Navy....
Description
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Typed Letter Signed as Assistant Secretary of the Navy.-May 1, 1914, Washington, D.C. One page. 7" x 9.25". Assistant Secretary of the Navy letterhead.
-To: August F. Biesel of Niverville, New York.
-One fold, light toning, signature faded, back page of bifold lettersheet tipped to larger mat, else about fine.
FDR writes, in full, "My dear Sir:/ I beg to acknowledge your letter of April 25th, offering your services in case of further trouble in Mexico. The Navy is at present recruited up to the legal limit and I fear there will not be much opportunity in my branch of the service, but of course, if things get worse the Army will undoubtedly need many more men and I shall bear your very patriotic offer in mind./ Very truly yours..." The 1913-1915 period was a very volatile one in Mexico. Victoriano Huerta had gained the presidency of Mexico on February 18, 1913 through a coup d'etat. He was opposed by four powerful revolutionaries, Emiliano Zapata, Venustiano Carranza, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, and Alvaro Obregon. By the spring of 1914, these four controlled about 75% of Mexico. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize Huerta's government, whose hostile acts resulted in American forces seizing and occupying Veracruz on April 21, 1914. No doubt, this was the situation that inspired Mr. Biesel to volunteer for service.
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May 1, 1914 letter signed to August Biesel. FDR writes "My dear Sir:/I beg to acknowledge your letter of April 25th, offering your services in case of further trouble in Mexico. The Navy is at present recruited up to the legal limit and I fear there will not be much opportunity in my branch of the service, but of course, if thing get worse the Army will undoubtedly need many more men and I shall bear your very patriotic offer in mind./ Very truly yours,/ Franklin D. Roosevelt."
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