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Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with the photograph Eleanor Corbett sent and welcomes the Corbett family to Sagamore Hill whenever they visit from England. Roosevelt shares that his neighbor is in East Africa on a lion hunt and reminds Roosevelt of his lion hunt. He also includes a book review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt expresses interest in a recent letter Leslie J. Tarlton sent regarding a lion hunt in East Africa. Roosevelt asks Tarlton for further details regarding the final moments of the hunt. Roosevelt is concerned about Tarlton and others becoming sick. Roosevelt advises Tarlton that he has ordered three watches “fitted out with radium” to be sent to Tarlton from Germany. One watch is for Tarlton, and the other two watches Roosevelt would appreciate Tarlton passing on to others who may have use for them. Roosevelt references writing a pamphlet Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-20
Theodore Roosevelt replies to W. Robert Foran and expresses concern about Foran’s career prospects. After speaking with Kermit Roosevelt, he agrees that there are few prospects in the newspaper business and suggests Foran’s unique skills would make a good match for the Canadian Mounted Police.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary directs George S. Galloway to apply to D. T. Abercrombie, the American agent of Newland, Tarlton & Company, from Nairobi, British East Africa, to receive the information he is seeking.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-02
Theodore Roosevelt arranges for payment to John J. White for expenses from the Africa hunting trip. He informs White he will be sending a check for the gun to John Rigby & Company. Roosevelt thanks White for a gun given to one of Roosevelt’s sons and discusses the spearing of a Nandi lion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt believes that Edmund Heller should go on the hunting trip to northern British East Africa, unless he feels strongly that he should not. (Heller had been reluctant to go because it would delay a report on mammals that he is writing following Roosevelt’s 1909 safari.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton to order boots for himself and his son Kermit. He expresses concern about whether the upcoming safari will be good for Kermit’s health. He is very interested in the letter from Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein and wonders if it would be possible for him to visit. Roosevelt would like to discuss hunting with him. Roosevelt increasingly believes that he will do most of his hunting in British East Africa and the Nile so that he can spend more time hunting and less time traveling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt discusses whether to employ locals or Englishmen as safari guides on his upcoming trip. He has started engaging shikaris, and notes that he would rather not employ white guides unless absolutely necessary. Roosevelt has amended the list of supplies that Frederick Courteney Selous suggested he bring, cutting down on alcohol and luxuries. He discuses the itinerary and logistics of the trip, particularly in relation to ensuring that he is able to shoot good specimens for the Smithsonian Institute, which can easily be transported.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt clarifies for Ambassador Reid that on his African safari, he intends only to shoot specimens for the National Museum, with the exception of half a dozen trophies for himself, if he is able to shoot extras under his license. He discusses at length is plans for traveling through Europe following the safari. He accepts that he will have to see various heads of state in the countries he visits, and informs Reid that he will be delivering the Romanes lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt approves of the Japanese plan to postpone their international exposition until 1917 and wants to help them “put a good face” on the situation. He agrees with Reid’s assessment of various incidents at the Olympic games. However, Roosevelt stresses that all public statements about the Olympics should be positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt updates Alfred E. Pease on his thoughts about various supplies that he needs for his upcoming safari. He explains that he only wants to hunt in British East Africa and Nyanza, and then travel from Gondokoro to Khartoum. The animal he wants to get the most is a lion. He has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan so that he is free to enjoy his trip. He intends to hire William C. Judd unless Pease objects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
After thinking it over, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his safari. Roosevelt is going on holiday and wants to devote his time and attention to hunting and natural history, rather than managing the party. Selous has recommended William C. Judd. He agrees with Buxton’s idea about taking several shorter hunting trips, and discusses where he would like to go.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if it is possible for the same firm that made his boots to make a pair of mosquito boots for himself and his son Kermit. Buxton should get a list of the provisions that Lawn and Alder are providing for Roosevelt, and has permission to make changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of his ranch is very tempting for Roosevelt, and he is excited to hunt there. Roosevelt is trying to minimize the loss of ammunition that he is having shipped for the hunt, and will try to think of the safari as a holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
Now that President Roosevelt understands the situation regarding the reserves in Africa, he tells Edward North Buxton that he does not intend to go into them unless other public officers are allowed. He does wonder if he would be allowed to shoot certain protected specimens for the National Museum. He discusses the timeline of his trip through British East Africa and up the Nile. Finally, Roosevelt further ponders Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he hire a white man like William C. Judd to manage his caravan while he hunts. He asks Buxton to speak with Selous about it and then provide his thoughts on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt will be happy to accept F. R. Wingate’s offer of a boat and guide to take him up the Nile River to Khartoum. He clarifies that he would like permission to shoot in officers’ game reserves only if there are animals there that he cannot get anywhere else. He is particularly interested in shooting elephants and a white rhinoceros, and discusses the timing of trips that may allow him to get them. Roosevelt is also excited to visit the Congo to see Wingate’s administrative accomplishments there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt happily accepts the invitation to visit Willian Northrup McMillan’s house in Nairobi and to hunt on his farm. However, he has already promised to stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch when he first arrives, and asks if he can wait to name a time when he can visit McMillan. He discusses the proposed itinerary for his African safari, which includes time in British East Africa and Uganda before traveling up the Nile.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
When he is in Africa, President Roosevelt would like to hunt at William Northrup McMillan’s farm, as well as stay at Alfred E. Pease’s, but he will defer to Pease’s judgment on the matter. He is very excited by Pease’s description of all the animals he can shoot along the Nile. Roosevelt discusses when and where he will procure supplies along the way. He must now turn his attention to the presidential election in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt discusses various matters regarding provisions, hunting rifles, and ammunition for his upcoming African safari. He would like them to be sent to Mombasa and Alfred E. Pease’s ranch for him to pick up when he arrives. Roosevelt informs Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan; this will allow Roosevelt to focus on hunting and not on the logistics of the caravan. While Roosevelt and his son Kermit are staying with Pease, the manager and taxidermists and naturalists that are coming along can stay nearby. Roosevelt discusses the areas he would like to hunt and the animals that he hopes to shoot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt is sorry to hear that J. H. Patterson’s trip to the United States is delayed, and hopes that it is not because he is ill. The arrangements for Roosevelt’s African safari are being finalized. He has asked Frederick Courteney Selous to hire someone to manage the expedition so that he can spend his own time hunting and making notes. He would like to do a trip like one Patterson took, and asks where he went.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt tells Alfred E. Pease that he intends to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan on his upcoming safari. Edward North Buxton disagrees with this decision, but Roosevelt feels that this will allow him more time to study the habits of animals and enjoy his holiday. The guide can arrange for the rest of the party, with taxidermists and naturalists, to camp nearby when Roosevelt and his son Kermit stay at Pease’s ranch. Roosevelt also might like to travel into German or Belgian territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12