Selous, Frederick Courteney, 1851-1917

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is grateful for the assistance that Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton are providing in planning his African safari. Roosevelt hopes to leave the United States in early April, and will stay first at the ranch of Alfred E. Pease in Nairobi, British East Africa. Other tentative plans include hunting in Uganda and along Nile tributaries. Roosevelt thinks he will arrange to make the trip on behalf of the National Museum of Natural History and hopes he will be allowed certain privileges not granted to non-scientific sportsmen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that British Army Captain Frederick Courteney Selous is at the front. He compares Selous’s position as an older officer to General von Hindenberg, the most successful German general, who is over the age limit for generals. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Selous’s corp was treated poorly in East Africa. He encloses two articles he wrote supporting universal military service and rigorous application of military law. Roosevelt has been distressed at the misconduct of the United States and the activities of the “professional pacifists.” If Germany keeps sinking ships carrying Americans, the public may demand a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt is saddened that Frederick Courteney Selous has been unable to reach the warfront and believes an exception should be made. Several Rough Riders were considered unsound or too old but they performed above average. Roosevelt understands Selous’s concerns about the war and is unsure if the Russians, whose troops have endurance and are abundant, but inferior, can effectively mount an offensive against Germany. He admires and respects Germans but cannot ignore that Germany has spent fifty years developing a foreign policy that has made them a menace to all their neighbors. Roosevelt abhors German militarism that has created “contempt for international morality and such appalling ruthlessness in war.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt feels that his writings will have the most usefulness in the United States. He has “contemptuous dislike” for the Wilson administration and is especially distressed at the handling of the European war and Mexico. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Frederick Courteney Selous’s troop of frontiersmen was not sent to the front. He approves of thorough training for soldiers but also believes that ordinary generals do not realize the possibilities of men like the frontiersmen, or Rough Riders, who can perform “very great feats.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt is fascinated by Frederick Courteney Selous’s stories about his trip and articles about “concealing coloration.” He hopes that Selous is able to go to the Upper Nile.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt received Frederick Courteney Selous’s letters, and the letter from R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt has directed Cunninghame to hire Leslie J. Tarlton, but he might reduce the expedition size later in the trip. It is becoming more expensive than he had anticipated. However, Roosevelt does not want to immediately disregard Cunninghame’s experience and advice. The end of his presidency is keeping Roosevelt very busy, and he looks forward to seeing Selous in April.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt updates Frederick Courteney Selous on the preparations for his Africa trip. He is giving caravan manager R. J. Cunninghame the “power commensurate with his responsibility,” and has directed him to hire support staff. Roosevelt wants to pay his bills before leaving for Africa, and asks Selous to request that they be sent over. He likes the double-barreled Holland rifle, and looks forward to seeing Selous on the steamer at Naples. In a postscript, he wonders if Selous could arrange for pipe tobacco to be sent to Nairobi for Kermit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is very pleased to hear that Frederick Courteney Selous will be going hunting in Africa, but jokes that Selous should leave him at least one lion to hunt while he is on safari. He asks Selous to forward a letter to R. J. Cunninghame after reading it and adding any details he thinks are necessary. Roosevelt also shares his current traveling plans for his safari regarding where he hopes to hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt provides Frederick Courteney Selous with an excerpt of a letter from Governor Frederick John Jackson which outlines a potential itinerary for his African safari. Jackson suggests starting at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch and staying close to Nairobi before going further afield. Roosevelt plans to amend the itinerary to make a loop into hunting grounds where J. H. Patterson hunted. Roosevelt expresses concern that reporters might try to arrange a caravan to follow him on his trip, and wonders if Jackson can prevent them from doing so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt returns the papers of the “personal outfit.” He has not made any more changes except to change to eight one-pound tins of Vaseline. He is glad that he will have ample stores. Roosevelt thanks Frederick Courteney Selous for insisting he hire a man to manage the caravan. Roosevelt thinks that R. J. Cunninghame is the perfect man for the job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt encloses a telegram from W. S. Rainsford, a New York sportsman staying with Frederick John Jackson, the lieutenant-governor of British East Africa. Roosevelt believes Rainsford’s view also represents how Jackson feels. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that it appears they were wise to hire R. J. Cunninghame as the guide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is pleased to learn that Frederick Courteney Selous has engaged R. J. Cunninghame as head man for his upcoming hunting trip in Africa. He believes that they can get all the Shikari guides they need from William Northrup McMillan. He agrees with Selous’s suggestion of sending the boxes of provisions to Nairobi. Roosevelt notes that he would like to go straight to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch and not go to Nairobi until later, unless his friends think that would be inadvisable. He discusses several routes he might take to hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that Frederick Courteney Selous has written to R. J. Cunninghame about being head man on his upcoming trip to Africa. He is also glad to hear that William Northrup McMillan is willing to provide him with hunters for the trip. However, Roosevelt wants it made clear that Cunninghame has the final say on personnel on the trip. Roosevelt is glad he will have the opportunity to try to kill buffalo, but wants to make it clear that he is more focused on acquiring the main big game. He also clarifies that he does not aim to get record specimens but simply good ones.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt tells Frederick Courteney Selous that Sir Harry Johnston has been staying with him and has advised that he should find some Gulf Arabs to accompany him on his African trip. Johnston also has recommended a man to serve as shikari. Roosevelt inquires as to which Cunningham Selous wrote him about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt has had a nice letter from William Northrup McMillan; he hopes that Frederick Courteney Selous will visit McMillan while he is in Africa, and that perhaps they can take the same steamer there. He will receive maps and itineraries from J. H. Patterson, Lieutenant-Governor Frederick John Jackson, and a German officer, all suggesting different trips and routes he can take. He sends Jackson’s and the German’s itineraries to Selous. Roosevelt will decide which exact trips he wants to take when he gets to Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt has heard from John Jay White that William C. Judd is an “admirable man in every way.” Roosevelt tells Frederick Courteney Selous that White believes that Roosevelt could trust his son Kermit to Judd on their African safari. He encloses copies of notes by Hubert Silberrad, including his thoughts on Judd and R. J. Cunninghame.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt sends Frederick Courteney Selous the enclosed item regarding R. J. Cunninghame.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt has decided to follow Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to head his African safari, despite objections from Edward North Buxton. Roosevelt would like Selous to hire either R. J. Cunninghame or William C. Judd for the job, if possible. He provides a list of the provisions that he would like to bring on the trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt asks Frederick Courteney Selous about outfitting his upcoming African Safari, including what types of jams and other preserved food to bring; what types of tents and camping equipment is best; and what kind of camp cooking equipment is required. Roosevelt asks if he will need colored glasses or a helmet, and which of these items should be sent from the United States, and which from England. Roosevelt supposes that anything he forgets can be acquired at Nairobi or Mombasa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919