Archive documenting the rocky relationship between Herbert Hoover and of his first employers, the British mining consultancy firm Bewick, Moreing & Company Americana,Ephemera and Archives,Geology & Mining

Hebert Hoover graduated from Stanford University with a geology degree in 1895. After a brief period working low-level mining jobs in California and Nevada, he was hired in early 1897 as an inspecting engineer by Bewick, Moreing & Company [BMC], a prominent international mining consultancy firm based in London. Hoover was sent to the gold field of Western Australia's, where the company managed over 20 mines that produced nearly 40% of the region's gold output. He quickly proved his value by eliminating inefficient practices and implementing changes that reportedly generated $65 million in returns for the firm. A few years later, BMC sent him to China, where he modernized infrastructure and built port facilities amid tense colonial dynamics, heightening his reputation for both business acumen and crisis management. In 1901, at age 27, Hoover was offered junior partnership in the firm became one of four partners. He traveled extensively inspecting mines across continents, directing up to 175,000 workers, and earning fame as "the doctor of sick mines" for reviving inefficient enterprises. But the firms reputation suffered after relating to other partners financial dealings and public criticism of the firm s labor practices. Seeking independence, Hoover resigned in mid-1908, selling his shares and partnership to fellow American mining engineer William Joseph Loring (1871-1943), who had worked closely under Hoover for several years and considered him a close friend. Their agreement included a non-compete clause barring Hoover from mining work within the British Empire (unless approved by BMC) for the next decade. Hoover then launched his own London-based mining consultancy under the name Herbert C. Hoover, Consulting Engineer, advising on mines in Russia, Burma, and Africa. Almost immediately, tensions arose between Hoover and BMC, whose partners accused him of violating the spirit of their agreement and poaching their clients. This archive, which originated with Loring, documents much of the ensuing fallout, which led to BMC suing Hoover for breach of contract in 1916 and to Hoover counter-suing for defamation. The archive includes: 1908 handwritten statement (ca. 50 words in pencil) by Hoover, signed with his initials, noting that under the "honorable understanding" between himself and Loring, Hoover "shall not be called upon to resign from Boards so long as the position of the [firm?] is not jeopardized That no objection is to be raised to his doing scientific work of giving lectures in schools of mines in America. That the agreement is not to be stretch to cover investments of his own money." Originals and decoded typescripts of two cables from Hoover to Loring dated September 25 and September 28, 1908, relating to the behavior of BMC partner C. Algernon Moreing regarding the terms of the partnership dissolution agreement. Letter from London solicitor James White to Loring dated December 1, 1908, saying he has "not heard of any further trouble with Mr. Hoover." Two notes signed by Hoover acknowledging receipt of payments from Loring, dated in June 1909 and September 1911. 1911 contract (supplement to the 1908 agreement) between Hoover and Loring , signed by Hoover, and with several initialed corrections in his hand. Folder containing ca. 80 pages of telegraphs and transcripts of telegraphs received by Loring in 1908-1910 relating to BMC business. Includes several references to Hoover. 10-page ALS to Loring from Thomas William Wellsted another partners in BMC dated 10 January 1915. Discusses various aspects of company business and notes that he is enclosing copies of correspondence among himself, Moreing, Hoover, and Francis Algernon Govett, expressing disagreements relating to the Zinc Corporation, one of BMC s clients in Australia. Govett was a stockbroker who specialized in mining ventures and collaborated closely with Hoover. 29 pages of office file copies of typescript correspondence dated from November 27, 19