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A diminutive soldier labeled “France” stands next to a large Russian bear gesturing with a sword toward John Bull standing opposite, while a battle rages in the background labeled “Transvaal” (the South African lands of the Republic and the Orange Free State). Caption: France–You may be able to whip the Boers, but I dare you to tackle the Russian Bear!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-06-06
Britannia stands with an injured farmer (“Boer”) and an African native, showing them a view of the future when “Enlightened Government” comes to South Africa after the Boer War is over.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-05-30
Theodore Roosevelt recalls meeting with J. R. Erasmus and has read a great deal about South African history. The odds seem against Roosevelt’s presidential campaign but he is going to stand for the “cause of all decent men.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-02
Theodore Roosevelt has enjoyed H. Rider Haggard’s book Rural Denmark. He agrees with Haggard regarding the land and those who live on it. Roosevelt comments on settlement patterns and their relations to agriculture and English speaking, as seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. He compares the seemingly transient English settlers in East Africa with the Boers. While Denmark has done well, Roosevelt was puzzled by a particular “queer social growth” during his visit. He understands Haggard’s discouragement in trying to teach people “what is vital for them to learn and what they refuse to learn,” and advises him to approach the task. Roosevelt apologizes for writing “an unconscionably long letter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt thanks General Wilhelm Snyman for sending a paper. Roosevelt stresses the importance of the Boers or Afrikaners learning English.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-13
President Roosevelt writes to George Otto Trevelyan, reflecting on his time as President and his decision to not seek reelection. Roosevelt admits that there are arguments for him to run for another term as president, but believes that the arguments against are stronger. Roosevelt is proud that while in the presidency he has fully used the powers available to him and acted as a strong central executive, and is gratified by the love that the population has for him. Once he leaves the presidency, Roosevelt plans to go on safari in Africa. He would like to visit England and see his friends there if he could do so as a private citizen without being forced to attend to diplomatic affairs, but if this is not possible he might just return to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-19
President Roosevelt thanks Colonel Younghusband for sending him a copy of his book The Story of the Guides. He looks forward to reading it. He observes that just before the note and book came, he had been speaking about Younghusband’s belief that with good lancers in the Boer War, he could have done more damage than with the mounted riflemen he had. Roosevelt also believes in the power of cavalry, and says that if there is another war, he would like to raise a division of horse riflemen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-04
President Roosevelt agrees with Earl Grey and hopes that the parties in South Africa can leave their racial prejudices behind them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-29
President Roosevelt would like to know if Earl Grey has any insider information on affairs in South Africa. Roosevelt hopes that the situation in Africa will settle down because he believes that the British and Boers will eventually “tend to amalgamate.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-22
President Roosevelt thanks Pieter G. Steyn for the psalm book and fondly remembers their dinner together. Roosevelt recounts that he recently defeated Wilhelm Snyman and Joubert Reitz in a shooting contest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-02
President Roosevelt is looking forward to John St. Loe Strachey’s visit to Washington, D.C. Roosevelt has been occupied over an Alaskan boundary dispute with Canada and is not inclined to compromise since he believes that the Canadians do not have a “leg to stand on.” Roosevelt also met with some Boer prisoners with whom he sympathized, describing the men as “admirable stock out of which to make a nation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-18
Edward Reeve Merritt encloses a $750 check from an unnamed committee where he serves as treasurer. The money is for Boer victims of the South African War and is to be distributed by President Roosevelt. Merritt requests that most of the money go towards relief in the Orange Free State, the often forgotten ally of the South African Republic (Transvaal).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-14
A. B. Spencer is editing a story of life among the Boers in which a character dies. An accompanying note instructs that a fitting headstone inscription be added. She asks Theodore Roosevelt for information on what would be a suitable inscription.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-01
H. Rider Haggard shares with Roosevelt his critiques of the Anglosphere, particularly their love of pleasure and wealth. He then discusses his investments in the African continent, how insider trading is tampering with said investments, and how he believes that the love of nature “seems to be the privilege of the highly educated.” Haggard also predicts that the “white people” living in Africa will be removed within the coming generations, and that overall the “white races” are in noticeable decline.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Secretary of State Hay informs President Roosevelt that the Boer representatives will return with the letter shortly and present themselves at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-05
Earl Grey is traveling across southern Africa and finds that tensions remain strained between Briton and Boer, especially in Cape Colony. He mentions that Dr. Parkin will be visiting the U.S. in regard to the new Rhodes Scholarships. He also requests President Roosevelt’s support for the American Episcopal Methodist Mission in Rhodesia. The mission has received a large land donation from Cecil Rhodes and is sending a young American back to the United States to examine the latest tobacco growing techniques and processes. As a postscript, Grey mentions that he found Dr. Jameson reading Roosevelt’s The Strenuous Life in preparation for a speech. Original and typed copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-24
Montagu White wishes President Roosevelt a quick recovery from his accident and congratulates him on the settlement of the Anthracite Coal Strike. White’s main concern is the aftermath of the South African War and the difficulties faced by the Afrikaners under the peace settlement. He hopes that President Roosevelt can help mitigate the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-18
Wilhelm Snyman defends himself from accusations by Thomas Alfred Beddy regarding embezzlement of funds collected for the benefit of Boer women and orphans affected by the South African War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-11
Thomas Alfred Beddy claims that Wilhelm Snyman, who has been touring the country collecting money for the Boer Relief Fund, has not turned any of the money over to the Fund’s trustees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-05
William R. Bigham forwards a letter from Marie Koopmans-de Wet to President Roosevelt thanking him for his sympathy with the people in the concentration camps.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-23