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Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary asks Messrs. Rowland, Ward & Co. if they have published and English translation of In Africa’s Wilkammern by Dr. Berger. He also requests a list of books about big game hunting published in the last year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt has enjoyed hearing about Ben Lilly’s recent hunting trips. Congress may mount some specimens from Roosevelt’s Africa trip. Roosevelt is envious of Lilly’s experience hunting grizzly bears, wolves, turkeys, and cougars. Roosevelt compares the game in Africa and America. Roosevelt suggests Lilly submit his hunting photographs and article to Field and Stream.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-23
Theodore Roosevelt expresses to Edmund Heller the need to quickly document big game specimens from Africa and urges him to return to Washington to finish his reports, sharing news from Frederick Selous and sending regards to friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Theodore Roosevelt expresses to Frederick Courteney Selous his sympathy for the poor treatment Selous received during a scientific expedition, including health issues and bureaucratic obstacles. Roosevelt defends Selous’s integrity and scientific value, criticizes British officials for their lack of support, and reflects on his own African experiences. He praises Selous’s field observations and urges him to continue his contributions to natural history despite age and physical limitations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Theodore Roosevelt sends Alfred E. Pease a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals, which he also sent to Frederick Courteney Selous, C. H. Stigand, and Edward North Buxton. “Homesick for the wilderness,” Kermit is out hunting in the Mexican desert and will soon finish his course at Harvard. Edmund Heller wrote Roosevelt about Paul James Rainey’s lion hunt using bear hounds. Unfortunately, Leslie J. Tarlton and V. M. Newland are in poor health. Roosevelt has “settled down into a perfectly quiet life” and does not “intend ever again to go away from Sagamore Hill.” He shares his recent rowing trip with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt has not heard from Frederick Courteney Selous for some time and wants to hear how his safari in the Lado Enclave went. He hopes Selous killed a giraffe as he is curious about what species is in the area and that he solved the questions of Mrs. Grey’s waterbuck. Roosevelt encourages Selous to write a book on his experiences and praises his previous works, especially as other hunter-naturalists’ books are “utterly dry.” He sends a copy of his pamphlet on protective coloration in animals and his follow-up article. Kermit Roosevelt misses Africa and is currently hunting in Mexico, with a trip to New Brunswick planned for September. Roosevelt wants Selous and his wife, Marie Catherine Gladys Selous, to visit him at Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt sends C. H. Stigand a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals. He hopes Stigand enjoyed his trip with Frederick Courteney Selous and that the latter got good specimens of the giant eland. He discusses the differences between the ordinary eland and the giant eland and contemplates the coloration of Mrs. Gray’s waterbuck. Roosevelt makes “a special plea” to Stigand, asking him to write another book that includes his personal experiences, such as the time a lion mauled him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt was delighted to receive Abel Chapman’s book, and praises it as highlighting Chapman’s work both as a big game hunter and as a naturalist. He especially remarks on the photographs included present in the book, and reflects that he has kept few of his own trophies. He hopes Chapman will come hunt in Alaska or Newfoundland sometime, which will allow him to visit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-04
Theodore Roosevelt is obliged to Edmund Heller for the interesting letter. Roosevelt discusses the hunting abilities and experience of Charles Jesse Jones, Paul James Rainey, and R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt also discusses his article Concealing and Revealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.
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 tells Leslie J. Tarlton that D. T. Abercrombie will attend to the cartridges and send him some from Tritton. Tarlton is to let Roosevelt know if they are satisfactory, as he experienced some issues with the Holland and Springfield cartridges on his African trip. Roosevelt has just written to Kermit who is at Harvard and will be interested to know what Karitura’s language was. He believes Kermit is homesick but growing up at Harvard. They speak often of the Africa trip, and Roosevelt would like to face another big-maned lion. He is irritated with William Bailey Howland for not going to England as it was fair to no one. Roosevelt sympathizes with Tarlton for having so many shooting parties to attend at once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-28
Theodore Roosevelt attempts to answer Henry V. D. Spicer’s questions about his safari, saying that he was in Africa for eleven months, but could only give the precise number of days by carefully going through his diary. His book, African Game Trails, gives a rough statement of all the specimens collected, but he recommends Spicer contact the Smithsonian Institute to find out if an exact catalog has been published yet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-13
Theodore Roosevelt was very interested to read Alfred E. Pease’s account of George Grey’s death, and has forwarded it to Earl Grey. He reflects on his own luck in having Pease instruct him in lion hunting, and comments that he did not think lions could attack as quickly as Pease said. Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Pease sometime, and sends greetings from his son, Kermit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-06
Theodore Roosevelt sends to Charles D. Walcott a hippo foot ink stand as a reminder of his trip to Africa with Walcott as his “chief.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-21
Theodore Roosevelt sends William E. Coffin the list. However, he is confused by the question of guides and professional hunters. He describes how during the kills on his safari, he was usually alone or had another amateur, white hunter with him. The native gun-bearers typically found the game. As such, Roosevelt does not feel he deserves “high honor” in these cases. The same is mostly true for his American hunts, although sometimes he did have guides.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt noticed Kermit Roosevelt’s “delicate hint” in his question about Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt and the Pudding and, therefore, sends a check for sixty dollars. He agrees with Kermit about the foolishness of the Camp Fire Club’s hunting honor list. Roosevelt tries to avoid joining clubs but still pays membership fees for many without returns in pleasure or profit. Unfortunately, Roosevelt’s library is too full of books like A. D. Melvin’s. While he is pleased Kermit ran the races, Roosevelt is glad he is finished with training. Quentin Roosevelt enjoyed Kermit’s visit to Groton School. Roosevelt dreads being overworked on his trips and wants to enjoy time with family and visit the Grand Canyon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-02
Theodore Roosevelt needles William E. Coffin for thinking he would not remember him. He is glad Coffin liked his book and is amused at its effects regarding Coffin’s views of foreign missions. Numerous other demands prevent Roosevelt from attending the Camp Fire Field Day in June. He encloses the requested list of game animals and their values of “honor” and “high honor,” but questions some of his choices.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-28
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Cornelius A. Harper on prohibiting automatic shotguns for game hunting. As a conservationist and sportsman, he believes in well-administered and enforced game laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
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