Taft , Manila. On January first there will be a vacancy on the Supreme Court to which I earnestly desire to appoint you.⁠ ⁠… I feel that your duty is on the Court unless you have decided not to adopt a judicial career. I greatly hope you will accept. Would appreciate early answer.

Roosevelt.

This came before I had been in the Islands a month and when Mr. Taft was so deep in the complications of his work that he was almost a stranger to his friends.