Africa

Letter from Robert E. Peary to Theodore Roosevelt

Explorer Robert E. Peary thanks President Roosevelt for his interest in and assistance with his expedition and updates Roosevelt on their progress. Navigating the Strait proved difficult and tested the ship. Continuing forward will be difficult, “the element of luck may play a stronger hand than experience, hard work, and most careful provision, combined.” Peary wishes Roosevelt well in his future plans and hopes he deservedly enjoys his trip to Africa. He sends his regards to Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt and the boys. Additionally, he sends Roosevelt three narwhal horns and some fox skins for Edith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-17

Letter from Frank M. Chapman to Theodore Roosevelt

Frank M. Chapman informs President Roosevelt he received the check for the binoculars and views it a privilege to assist Roosevelt. Several newspapers have published inaccurate reports regarding Kermit Roosevelt’s preparations for the Africa trip. Chapman wants both Roosevelt and Kermit to know he is not responsible for such reports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-18

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge rarely disagrees with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, but is certain President Roosevelt will like Maurice Maeterlinck’s essays. Lodge thinks Roosevelt’s plans for the African trip are excellent, and is glad he and Edith are traveling Europe together. Considering Roosevelt’s soon-to-be previous office as president, Lodge declares he must visit Emperor William II in Berlin, Germany, as it will be of value to the United States. He believes Roosevelt made the correct choice in declining Collier’s offer as “it was not the place for you at any price.” Lodge similarly agrees that Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated. He detests going back into the presidential campaign because he believes William H. Taft’s election seems certain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-19

Letter from Edgar Alexander Mearns to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar Alexander Mearns will be traveling on the same boat as Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt. He also has brandy, whiskey, and champagne set aside for medical use. The tools for collecting specimens will be furnished by the United States National Museum. Mearns may also have diabetes, but he defends his health and ability to make the Africa trip. Mearns also encloses a letter from Peter Holt, a scout at Yellowstone Park. Mearns killed a mountain lion for Holt once.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-22

Letter from Ellerton James to Theodore Roosevelt

Ellerton James advises President Roosevelt regarding supplies that he should take on his African safari. James comments on various dried foods, materials for tents and coverings, medicines, and cameras.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-16

Letter from Edgar Alexander Mearns to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar Alexander Mearns is delighted to be reminded of his upcoming role as naturalist and medical adviser on Theodore Roosevelt’s trip to Africa. Mearns advises Roosevelt on approaches for sterilizing water, medical outfits, and equipment. Medicine for “native ‘boys’ and friends can be conveniently boxed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-31

Letter from Edgar Alexander Mearns to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar Alexander Mearns agrees to Theodore Roosevelt’s publication stipulations on the Africa expedition. Roosevelt’s publications must come first. In order to complete early preparations for the trip, Mearns requests an official order from the War Department outlining his duties. Mearns suggests other members of the American Museum staff who might be good candidates for the expedition. Mearns also asks Roosevelt whether he should make plans for the “systematic treatment of natives outside of your own party.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-04

Letter from Lewis Morris Iddings to Theodore Roosevelt

Lewis Morris Iddings, of the American Agency in Cairo, Egypt, informs William Loeb that he has sent a note to President Roosevelt asking if he can be of any service in Cairo if Roosevelt really plans to visit Africa after leaving office. Iddings would like to have an idea of Roosevelt’s plans so that he can give correct answers when he is asked whether Roosevelt will come to Egypt. People in Egypt are very excited by the possibility of a visit from Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-29

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

Caspar Whitney tells President Roosevelt that S. S. McClure hopes to get the rights to publish articles from Roosevelt’s African safari. Whitney suggested that McClure propose expanding Roosevelt’s trip to places like India and the Philippines, and offer to pay more. Whitney is not sure why McClure approached him to talk, but Whitney tells Roosevelt that in making this suggestion he hoped to help Roosevelt get the most out of his trip, and wanted to make sure the facts were straight when McClure approached Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-01

Letter from John St. Loe Strachey to Theodore Roosevelt

John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for sending him the two books, which he will read when he is able to. Strachey also congratulates Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft to be the Republican candidate for President. The journalist Edward Dicey is not someone who has very much influence, or who Strachey thinks very highly of. Strachey hopes that Roosevelt might be able to visit England on his way to his African safari. He also thanks Roosevelt for letting him see the letter that Roosevelt wrote to Lincoln Steffens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-22

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

Caspar Whitney thinks that President Roosevelt, in causing William H. Taft to be the Republican candidate for president, has done a great service to the United States. Whitney asks if Roosevelt is really going to be going on safari in Africa, and if there is any chance that he can write anything for Outing. He suggests the possibility of publishing articles in Outing and then having Scribner’s publish the book, instead of having Scribner’s do both. Whitney has also been planning a trip to Africa in the near future. He also updates an opinion of a writer he had previously given.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-22

Letter from Cyrus Adler to Theodore Roosevelt

Cyrus Adler, acting secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, confirms receipt of President Roosevelt’s letter addressed to Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Walcott has recently left Washington, D.C., to spend time in the field, but the letter will be forwarded to him at once. Adler thanks Roosevelt for giving the Smithsonian Institution preference in receiving any specimens he collects on his safari, and asks that Roosevelt not communicate with any other museum until Walcott has a chance to receive the forwarded letter and respond. While Adler cannot promise anything, he feels justified saying that it is likely that the men and money necessary for Roosevelt’s trip will be forthcoming.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-23

Letter from S. S. McClure to Theodore Roosevelt

S. S. McClure tells President Roosevelt that if he has committed to going on an African trip and has not yet arranged for the publication of articles he writes there, McClure would be interested in negotiating with Roosevelt to publish them in McClure’s Magazine. He asks Roosevelt to respond to his New York office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-09

Letter from Robert Bridges to Theodore Roosevelt

Robert Bridges of Scribner’s thanks President Roosevelt for the kind note. He is very interested in speaking with Roosevelt about his African project. Bridges lists several dates when he would be available to come to Washington, D.C., to speak with Roosevelt about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-10

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton advises President Roosevelt on things that he should consider while planning for his upcoming safari in Africa. He recommends that Roosevelt visit British East Africa rather than German East Africa, because Roosevelt would be more likely to get the game that he wants to hunt there. Buxton also advises Roosevelt on the gear that he should bring, including collapsible stools, tents, and guns. He offers to lend Roosevelt a camera if Kermit Roosevelt would like to practice photography and take pictures on the trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-11

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous discusses the types of rifles that President Roosevelt should take on his upcoming hunting trip to Africa. Selous does not recommend the ball and shot gun, as it would be inferior to other types of firearms in the situations that Roosevelt would likely use it. He also discusses various other supplies that Roosevelt will need, and which Selous can acquire from Lawn and Alder.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-24

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Edward North Buxton

Sir Alfred E. Pease discusses plans for President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari with Edward North Buxton. Pease lists several possible itineraries and details the weather conditions and types of game Roosevelt could expect to encounter. He also recommends using George Hutton Riddell as an outfitter and guide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-27

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton encloses a letter from Alfred E. Pease outlining plans for President Roosevelt’s upcoming safari. Buxton agrees with much of what Pease says, and recommends that Roosevelt stay at Pease’s farm at first, before heading out on a longer expedition. He notes that it will be easy for Roosevelt to take shorter excursions on the railway to get the game he desires.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-30

Letter from Viscount James Bryce to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Bryce sends President Roosevelt an enclosed letter from Lord Selborne, who is high commissioner of South Africa. Bryce discusses the game to be found in various parts of Africa, and will be delighted to make inquiries as Roosevelt desires.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-01

Letter from Charles Robert Eustace Radclyffe to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Robert Eustace Radclyffe has heard rumors that President Roosevelt may be visiting England soon, and hopes that if this is true, Roosevelt will come visit him. He has also heard that after his presidency, Roosevelt will travel to East Africa or Alaska. Radclyffe would like to join Roosevelt in Alaska, and if he cannot, he would like to offer his private notes and maps of the regions he explored.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-06