Cunninghame, R. J. (Richard John), 1871-1925

Theodore Roosevelt is delighted to have heard from R. J. Cunninghame, and has sent the letter on to his son Kermit. Roosevelt would have had Cuninghame in the fighting force if he had command, and hopes still to be at the front with his four sons. Roosevelt is glad that Cuninghame is able to serve, even if it is in the ambulance service and not at the front.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

President Roosevelt gives R. J. Cunninghame permission to manage the caravan for his upcoming safari in whatever way he sees fit. However, he warns Cunninghame that he intends to do all of his own shooting, and does not want anyone to kill his game for him. Roosevelt discusses the animals he would like to shoot and some potential scheduling for the trip, but does not want to decide on details until he arrives in Mombasa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

President Roosevelt officially engages R. J. Cunninghame to lead the caravan on his upcoming safari. He gives Cunninghame the freedom to hire whomever he wishes, and to make whatever choices he thinks best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-08-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Cunninghame, R. J. (Richard John), 1871-1925

Discussing his upcoming African safari, President Roosevelt would like to get buffalo in a spot accessible to the railroad, as he wants to ship the skins back to the United States National Museum. Roosevelt is glad that R. J. Cunninghame was able to engage Leslie J. Tarlton, and discusses proper arrangements for gun-bearers, horses, and mules. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Hugh H. Heatley inviting him to hunt on his ranch in Nairobi.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-13

President Roosevelt reiterates that R. J. Cunninghame has full authority over the caravan management for his safari. Roosevelt has already cabled about hiring Leslie J. Tarlton, but wonders if Tarlton could initially be hired for only the first part of the trip. Roosevelt knows himself to be an inexpert marksman, but he does not want others to kill the game for him. After updating Cunninghame on the permissions he recently received from the Belgian government, Roosevelt outlines his hunting goals and tentative schedule for his first few weeks in Africa. He encloses a paraphrased letter he just received from a “Boer sympathizer” who has made a potentially advantageous offer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

President Roosevelt authorizes R. J. Cunninghame to employ Leslie J. Tarlton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

President Roosevelt authorizes R. J. Cunninghame to employ Leslie J. Tarlton. The message is crossed out in pen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

President Roosevelt instructs R. J. Cunninghame to hire anyone necessary for their trip, which will begin immediately after his arrival.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

President Roosevelt places R. J. Cunninghame in charge of managing his safari caravan, and details his expectations for the trip. Roosevelt wants to begin hunting as quickly as possible after arriving in British East Africa and spending several weeks at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch to improve his physical fitness. Cunninghame should hire the necessary support staff and porters at his discretion. Roosevelt wants to hunt some of the “common game” near the railroad so that their skins can be easily transported, but he also hopes to kill big game and is willing to “go to any trouble” to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

President Roosevelt was pleased to learn from Frederick Courteney Selous that R. J. Cunninghame had been hired to lead his upcoming African safari. He explains his current plans for the trip, hunting through East Africa for eight or nine months and then meeting boats at Gondokoro and traveling down the Nile River. Roosevelt hopes to hunt some big game to be given as specimens to the National Museum, but does not wish to indiscriminately slaughter animals while he is there. He would also like to avoid hunting in the vicinity of Nairobi, as there are sure to be newspapermen, and instead plans to head to the ranches of Sir Alfred E. Pease and Sir William Northrup McMillan at first. Roosevelt asks Cunninghame to communicate with Smith, Mackenzie & Co., and Newland, Tarlton & Co. to find out when his supplies reach Africa, and to make any arrangements necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26