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Theodore Roosevelt thanks his son Kermit for his letter and says knowing he is hunting with some ranchmen and a former Rough Rider makes him feel better. He says Kermit’s description of the heat reminds him of Africa. Roosevelt gives updates on the family and closes by announcing Kermit’s goddaughter, Ted and Eleanor’s daughter, was just born.
1911-08-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to congratulate him on having his article “The sheep of the desert” published. He says if he has any success on his trip to New Brunswick to write about it and then it can be sent to Scribners or National Geographic Magazine. In his post-script, Roosevelt asks Kermit what he wants to do with prints from the negatives of the Africa trip that were sent by Scribners.
1911-09-25
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit who is in Lisbon, Portugal, learning Portuguese. Roosevelt reminisces about their African hunting trip and says he is hoarse and dirty from making campaign speeches. He does not think he will win the presidential election but says this is the most satisfactory campaign he has ever had.
1912-09-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about finishing a speech and making more plans for their African trip including vaccinations and rifle practice. He is struggling with Congress to get battleships, to settle the California/Japan matter, and over Congress asking for confidential information from Commissioner of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith.
1909-01-23
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to update him on plans for their trip to Africa and encloses letters from Frederick Selous, Edward Buxton, and Reginald Wingate. He talks of celebrating Ted’s birthday and spending time talking with him. He closes by saying Archie is back at school and Sagamore is being closed up for the season.
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on a number of topics including sending him money each month, planning their trip to Africa, his views on the upcoming election and the weather. He closes by saying the Cooleys are visiting and so is sister Alice.
1908-10-02
President Roosevelt forwards to his son Kermit a letter from Seth Bullock. When Kermit and he go to Africa, if Kermit gets sick he will have to go home. He has heard from Manuel A. da Silva and has engaged him to go with Kermit. Roosevelt has also received some letters from his English friends but does not feel it necessary to send them to Kermit.
1908-10-05
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is glad he went out for the football team and that he expects him to have hard times with his six courses. He also reports that duffel bags and shoes have arrived for their African trip and asks Kermit how many pairs of shoes he wants.
1908-10-06
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to discuss barriers to electing Secretary of War William H. Taft to the presidency. He cites the defection in the black vote, big business, the labor’s unhappiness with the Republican Party, the unemployed, and the fact Taft is an Unitarian. Roosevelt also talks of Kermit’s start at college, their trip to Africa, and his first month back at the White House.
1908-10-20
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on a number of topics including taking pictures on their African trip, types of guns to use on their African trip and his prediction for William H. Taft’s results in the presidential election. He also mentions turning fifty and taking the horses out jumping to celebrate.
1908-10-27
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit regarding arrangements for their hunting trip to Africa. He talked with Carl Ethan Akeley and Colonel J. H. Patterson on the matter. He also mentions the Harvard-Yale football game, Kaiser Wilhelm II angering the German people, and finishing two speeches.
1908-11-22
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to thank him for helping Robert and Isabella Ferguson with their tragedy. Roosevelt talks of riding and says he had to sell two of the horses. He also adds more updates on the planning for their African hunting trip.
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit on the planning for his trip to Africa, though he is not yet sure he can make it. Results from Massachusetts and New York have settled the Republican presidential nomination for Secretary of War Taft, and Governor Hughes’s run is over. Roosevelt says Edith enjoys riding much better since getting a new horse, and Congress is refusing to do what it should.
1908-04-11
President Roosevelt plans to take his Africa trip right after his presidency and he wants Kermit to go with him. Roosevelt cautions that Kermit must treat it as a college course and learn all he can. Roosevelt talks about riding and bird watching with Edith and Ted’s balloon ride. He closes by mentioning a three hour gallop with sixteen other people.
1908-04-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit with more plans for their Africa trip. He has had help planning from friends Edward Buxton and Frederick Selous. Roosevelt feels the whole trip will last about eleven months. He closes by saying he is interested in Kermit’s rowing.
1908-05-01
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, saying that he and Edith along with John Burroughs just returned from their cottage, Pine Knot. Roosevelt is in busy correspondence over the Africa trip but has no definite plans yet. He closes by saying Congress will end in an ugly fight with him.
1908-05-10
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about events he has attended recently. With Congress adjourning in a week, his active work as president will be coming to an end. Roosevelt says that after the nominating convention nobody will pay attention to him anymore. Roosevelt feels bad about Archie losing a race and wants Kermit to get the most out of his one year at Harvard. He says he is pretty sure they will go to Africa but he wants Kermit to buckle down to work after they return.
1908-05-17
President Roosevelt writes to congratulate Kermit Roosevelt on his good marks and share a flattering article about the men in his Cabinet. Roosevelt says he and Kermit will have to read books on Africa to prepare for their trip. Roosevelt has not heard from Archie in a while and Quentin is enamored with baseball. He closes the letter with descriptions of horse riding.
1908-05-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his last spring at the White House. Roosevelt is concerned about Archie’s performance at Groton School. Roosevelt complains about Senator Robert M. La Follette filibustering, and says that Congress has not given him all the legislation he should have had. He then lists what he has been able to accomplish. Roosevelt closes by saying that he has two good maps of Africa, and he and Kermit can crystallize the plans for their trip when they next meet.
1908-05-30
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his thoughts on the upcoming Republican National Convention. He is sure they can get Secretary of War Taft nominated but Roosevelt does worry about a “stampede” for himself. He encloses letters he wrote to be read at the Convention. Roosevelt also writes about spring in Washington, D.C., his thoughts on the guns to take on the African hunting trip, and what to do with Archie’s schooling at Groton.
1908-06-06