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President Roosevelt describes his experiences with a local cat while camping in Louisiana to his son Quentin Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-13
President Roosevelt describes the pets aboard the U. S. S. Louisiana, including two dogs, a cat, three raccoons, and a “tiny Cuban goat.” One of the raccoons sniffed Roosevelt’s fingers, making him afraid of becoming something for the racoon to eat. The crew is very fond of the animals but is not allowed off the boat at landing, otherwise they would bring even more pets aboard. A few days later, Roosevelt recounts their passing by San Salvador, where Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-14
President Roosevelt was very pleased with Quentin Roosevelt’s school report. Sagamore Hill seems very empty without the children in it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-09
President Roosevelt tells his son Quentin Roosevelt that the kittens are doing well and will soon be big enough for him to play with. Roosevelt misses Quentin and his siblings, and says that the house feels very big and empty with just him in it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-01
President Roosevelt is feeling homesick but is enjoying his trip. He has a gold top or a silver bell for Quentin Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-10
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Quentin Roosevelt passed through the French training school as he will be available for the front when American forces receive aircraft. Roosevelt has difficulty restraining himself when those responsible for American military shortcomings lie about their complacency and even boast that being unprepared was meritorious. However, many people are learning of the situation and are humiliated at the limited role the United States has been able to play. Dr. Mason, who has seen Archibald Roosevelt, will be visiting and letters have been received from Archie and Ted Roosevelt.
1918-04-14
Theodore Roosevelt spoke for the Red Cross at Carnegie Hall and was surprised when the person leading him to the stage whispered that Harry Davidson was working to get Flora Whitney overseas to marry Quentin Roosevelt. The woman turned out to be Adele Burden. Roosevelt has heard nothing of Davidson’s efforts but he hopes that Flora and Quentin can marry. Grace Lockwood Roosevelt and Archibald Roosevelt have been at Sagamore Hill for a month. Roosevelt will be leaving tomorrow for a speaking trip about the war and Americanism. He continues to balance pointing out the government’s shortcomings while not being perceived as attacking the government. Currently, the people are only half awake to the government’s folly.
1918-05-23
The Roosevelt family love Quentin Roosevelt and think of him often.
1918
The family is concerned about Quentin Roosevelt’s accident and have only received limited information. Theodore Roosevelt is “indignant at the criminal folly” that has led to a limited supply of aircraft and guns. Flora Whitney is visiting and Roosevelt is impressed with her strength of character. She is ready to marry Quentin the instant it is possible. Roosevelt understands Quentin’s desire to reach the front and, after Quentin’s direction, is willing to speak to anyone to help his cause.
1918-05-05
Quentin Roosevelt’s letter from March 29 has arrived, and Theodore Roosevelt is indignant at the lack of fighter planes and machine guns. Quentin has been a “perfect trump,” and hopefully he will be given some active air service at the front. Ted Roosevelt is likely in the thick of the fighting. Kermit Roosevelt has been transferred to the American military as a captain of artillery. Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt, Archibald Roosevelt, Edith Roosevelt Derby, and Richard Derby Jr., are staying at Sagamore Hill.
1918-04-25
The American public is beginning to show distress that their military carries “so little weight” in the current fighting. The Wilson administration is attempting to “speed up certain matters” but it may be too late. The administration’s positive forecasts also make it difficult to determine the “probabilities for the future.” For example, Roosevelt has no idea what Quentin is doing or whether he will ever receive a plane and be able to serve at the front. Spring has arrived at Sagamore Hill and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is doing well. Roosevelt is proud that his sons and Richard Derby have a part to play in the great crisis.
1918-04-21
Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Richard Derby have returned home after a month’s absence. Edith Roosevelt Derby was christened last Sunday and Theodore Roosevelt represented Archibald Roosevelt as godfather. Mr. Monroe is “behaving admirably” but wants to get to the front. Roosevelt wishes his son a happy twentieth birthday. William Sheffield Cowles hopes to join the armed forces in March and Roosevelt thinks that Cowles should join the Marines.
1917-11-09
Everyone is excited about Ethel Roosevelt’s engagement to Richard Derby. Theodore Roosevelt has concluded that he has “mighty nice children.” Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is feeling better and keeps Roosevelt under rigid discipline.
1913-02-14
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Quentin Roosevelt “got the study” and will play center on the football team’s second eleven. His parents are hoping for a prefectship next year. Roosevelt attended the Rochester convention and is having the usual difficulties with the Progressive Party. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has had a heavy cold but appears to be on the mend. Sagamore Hill is being “put up” as Roosevelt and Edith are leaving for South America on Saturday.
1913-09-29
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is doing well on board the SS Vandyck, and Margaret Roosevelt has proven to be a successful traveling companion. Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with the “thoroughly good fellows” of the expedition. There are a number of unknowns regarding the expedition, but Roosevelt believes they “shall do something worth doing.” The voyage has been pleasant, and they are just passing the Antilles.
1913-10-08
Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Quentin Roosevelt’s trip is going better. He thinks it is nonsense to start a trip by traveling ninety-four miles in two days. Even though the trip has been difficult, he hopes that Quentin has been able to do some rifle practice and believes that overall it will be a good experience. Belle Roosevelt contracted typhoid fever but is doing well. Kermit Roosevelt was “nearly wild” with concern for his wife. Roosevelt is being sued by William Barnes for libel.
1914-08-02
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with Quentin Roosevelt’s studies and his efforts on the football team. He enjoyed Quentin’s article.
1914-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt encloses an article entitled “Education in Science as a Preparation for Industrial Work” that he feels expresses his views and Quentin Roosevelt’s practices. Ethel Roosevelt Derby will be undergoing an appendectomy, and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is recovering from a “tough worm.” Roosevelt is finishing a book that will be published next spring. Some of the chapters pertain to the trip they took, along with Archibald Roosevelt, to Arizona, and the book will be dedicated to Quentin and Archie. Roosevelt loves all of his grandchildren and is not concerned whether they are sons or daughters.
1915-10-18
Theodore Roosevelt will send the tickets to Archibald Roosevelt as soon as he receives them. He agrees that the Yale-Harvard football game might not be so bad as Yale is improving. Roosevelt blames the sinking of the SS Ancona on the cowardice of the “Byzantine logothete in the White House” towards the loss of the RMS Lusitania.
1915-11-14
Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Quentin Roosevelt can visit Sagamore Hill on his birthday. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is recovering from a bad cold. Roosevelt is feeling well and his voice improved while campaigning, including a strong speech at Cooper Union. He hopes that President Wilson is defeated and believes Republican victory could have been assured if Charles Evans Hughes had made a “straight-from-the-shoulder fighting campaign.”
1916-11-07