Ammunition

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry John Elwes

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt sends Henry John Elwes copies of Science with his article on scientific terminology. He will look for the extra copy of the game report during his next visit to Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt feels he did all he could at the New York Police Department, especially since “the law under which we worked was utterly absurd in character.” He believes strongly in the American and British Navies and is glad to do such “thoroughly congenial” work. On a recent trip to his ranch, Roosevelt shot several antelope with his new Winchester rifle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-01

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Theodore Roosevelt

Alfred E. Pease received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and let his daughter Lavender Mary Pease read it. His children are now his primary source of happiness. He recently stayed with Edward Grey who recalled Roosevelt with affection. Pease is sending Roosevelt lots of reading material, including an article he wrote on firearm and ammunition testing. Depleted funds from caring for his family prevent him from traveling. He received a nice letter from Kermit Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-29

Letter from William Crozier to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of the War Department, General Crozier thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his report on “the action of the sharp-pointed service bullets” used during his African safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-04

Letter from A. Fauconnet to Jacob Friedenberg

A. Fauconnet explains to Jacob Friedenberg that on behalf of the American Consulate, he paid to have ammunition shipped from Naples, Italy, to British East Africa for Theodore Roosevelt. American Consul Casper S. Crowninshield repeatedly forgot to repay him, leaving no record of the debt upon his death. Fauconnet asks Friedenberg to settle the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-20

Letter from A. H. Fox to Theodore Roosevelt

A. H. Fox, a gun manufacturer, is delighted to know that President Roosevelt likes his gun. Fox also informs Roosevelt that the Winchester Repeating Arms Company recently released a new type of brass shell that can handle smokeless powder and be crimped. Because these new shells better fit Roosevelt’s requirements, Fox hurries to send some to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-17

Letter from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford knows that this is a busy time for President Roosevelt, and hopes that his letters do not seem “cocksure.” He advises Roosevelt to never send Kermit Roosevelt out hunting with only one gunbearer, because conditions can become dangerous very suddenly. Rainsford describes several life-threatening situations he faced in Africa, and offers advice on shooting techniques for both rifles and cameras. He would like to meet before Roosevelt’s departure, but his health will not permit this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-05

Letter from A. H. Fox to Theodore Roosevelt

A. H. Fox, president of the A. H. Fox Gun Company, is sending President Roosevelt’s gun today. He would like to know when the gun arrives, and if it satisfies Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton discusses the equipment and supplies he has sent to President Roosevelt in preparation for his upcoming African safari, including the proper guns, bullets, hats, and shoes. Buxton also discusses Winston Churchill’s remarks on quinine as a treatment for malaria. He asks Roosevelt if he will come dine with the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire, of which Buxton is a founding member, when Roosevelt visits England the following year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-09

Letter from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford will leave his guns in Africa for President Roosevelt to use. Rainsford offers recommendations on what kinds of guns and ammunition to use on Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa, cautions Roosevelt on the use and care of telescopes for the rifles, and provides advice on hunting and travel around Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-27

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

Caspar Whitney understands President Roosevelt’s decision to not write a feature about his upcoming safari, and resolved that he will not have anyone else write it. Whitney instead suggests that Collier’s publish an article on the guns Roosevelt will be taking with him to Africa and proposes Horace Kephart, an avid sportsman himself, to write it. However, if Roosevelt has another author in mind, Whitney will be glad for him to write it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-14

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton discusses President Roosevelt’s upcoming safari in Africa. He notes that Roosevelt’s head measurement was not in the envelope and calls Roosevelt’s attention to a letter written by Captain Clive of the Foreign Office Intelligence Department. He offers suggestions for the prevention and treatment of tropical diseases, which he directs specifically at Kermit Roosevelt, and advice for planning the days of the trip. Finally, he confirms Roosevelt’s ammunition order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-15

Letter from William Crozier to William Loeb

General Crozier, the Chief of Ordnance, sends William Loeb a bill for 200 ball cartridges for President Roosevelt to sign. Roosevelt had asked for twenty cartridges to be taken out of the package and given to him, but as the box was already sealed, Crozier decided it would be best to leave it as such, and instead sends Roosevelt twenty cartridges from the Frankford Arsenal. It is more convenient for him to not charge Roosevelt for these rounds, so he delivers them for “experimental use, hoping to ascertain from him the results of trying them upon living animals.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-06

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton discusses the supplies President Roosevelt will need on his upcoming safari. These items include rifles, cartridges, hats, nailed boots, and hunting glasses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

Letter from Percy C. Madeira to Theodore Roosevelt

Percy C. Madeira thanks President Roosevelt for his offer to provide an introduction to Alaska governor Wilford B. Hoggatt. He asks him to write the introduction and provide an autographed photograph if it is not too much trouble. Madeira invites Roosevelt and his son Kermit to Philadelphia to see his “African bag,” which has been mounted. Finally, Madeira suggests that Roosevelt get metal-covered ammunition for his trip and send his supplies to Africa a month in advance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-16

Letter from Percy C. Madeira to Theodore Roosevelt

Percy C. Madeira sends detailed notes about the people President Roosevelt should contact regarding his upcoming African Safari, and includes details on equipment, personnel, and the best routes to take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-24

Letter from Reginald Ronalds to Theodore Roosevelt

Reginald Ronalds wishes President Roosevelt a happy New Year and sends him a Ross rifle, from which he hopes Roosevelt will get much use. An invention created by his friend Charles Ross, the rifle has a trajectory that can use one sight for up to 300 yards. He sends wood powder ammunition, but hopes that if Roosevelt takes the rifle out West, he will get fresh ammunition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-27

Letter from Frank Edgar Evans to Charles M. Fahs

Frank Edgar Evans sends a report to Lieutenant Commander Fahs giving the results of a test of the “Corrector System,” which took place on the Marine Corps Rifle Range at Camp Admiral Harrington in November. Gunnery Sergeant Clark was thorough in his testing and determined that the corrector system eliminates eyestrain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-06

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

After speaking with Frank S. Cairns and Eugene Frederick Ladd, Secretary of War Taft believes the Cuban government under President Tomás Estrada Palma cannot continue. A small number of rurales and militia are spread around the island, with artillerymen and a few thousand municipal police concentrated in Havana. Insurgents are surrounding the city and also areas of Santa Clara, slowed by the arrival of United States troops on the Denver. Estrada Palma lacks support and is unprepared, and his office under Fernando Andrade is linked to abuses of power and election fraud. Without public support, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Taft cannot recommend supporting Estrada Palma, yet insurgents still need to be driven out to protect the Cuban government and its people. A meeting will be held today with liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as well as insurgent leaders. Forcible intervention on the part of the United States cannot be avoided and Roosevelt’s approval is sought to move forward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21

Telegram from Fred C. Ainsworth to William Loeb

Acting Secretary of War Ainsworth informs William Loeb about problems with the production and transfer of cartridges and ammunition between arsenals. There seems to have been a miscommunication or mistake on the part of the cartridge company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Telegram from Nelson P. Webster to William Loeb

Nelson P. Webster reports to William Loeb on an ammunition request by the Cuban government. Although General Fred C. Ainsworth says they have no evidence from the Cuban government or the firm of Hartley and Graham regarding the request, the Cuban chargé d’affaires reports that there was a dispatch to that end. Webster reviews the telegram that was sent in reply to this request outlining the terms upon which the ammunition would be delivered.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27