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Theodore Roosevelt discusses John Buchan’s review of Roosevelt’s book in The Spectator and invites Buchan to visit him in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-13
Theodore Roosevelt gives Edmund Heller his blessing to go on another hunting expedition to Africa with Paul James Rainey. He strongly wishes that Heller could publish a pamphlet on the giant eland before he goes because he is worried that another naturalist will end up being first to publish about it. However, he wishes Heller luck on the trip and asks him to send his regards to Rainey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
Theodore Roosevelt believes that Edmund Heller should go on the hunting trip to northern British East Africa, unless he feels strongly that he should not. (Heller had been reluctant to go because it would delay a report on mammals that he is writing following Roosevelt’s 1909 safari.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
Theodore Roosevelt sends a memento made from the skin of a rhinoceros he shot in Africa to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt jokes about skunks suffering from hydrophobia in Arizona and New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt informs his “little friend” Donald B. Thomason that the descriptions of the animals he killed in Africa, as written in his book, are accurate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-25
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Edmund Heller to discuss big game hunting in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-20
Theodore Roosevelt provides a satisfactory report on the short pointed army bullets that William Crozier had asked Roosevelt to try on his hunting trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt tells Edmund Heller that he was the man on the expedition responsible for the most valuable contributions to the collection. Roosevelt and his son Kermit grew very fond of him as well. It was a shame Heller could not join another expedition, as the big game was taken care of but nothing could be done about the smaller animals. Heller’s pamphlet on insectivores is interesting and Roosevelt is honored to have a new genus named after him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-05
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-22
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from Herbert de H. Haag. His last letter was short because of the “incredible number of letters” he receives. He answers Haag’s questions about the firearm and ammunition he used during his safari at length.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-11-07
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton to order boots for himself and his son Kermit. He expresses concern about whether the upcoming safari will be good for Kermit’s health. He is very interested in the letter from Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein and wonders if it would be possible for him to visit. Roosevelt would like to discuss hunting with him. Roosevelt increasingly believes that he will do most of his hunting in British East Africa and the Nile so that he can spend more time hunting and less time traveling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt discusses which gun sights he prefers with Edward North Buxton. He also confirms the dates when he expects to arrive in Africa. Citing concern about his being “an exceedingly soft individual,” Roosevelt intends to “break in” his body at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch before the main hunt. He recently spoke to Gerrit Forbes about the hunting trip in Africa that he just returned from.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
President Roosevelt hopes that Frederick Courteney Selous received the shoe he sent. He discusses various supplies he thinks he should bring on his upcoming safari, based on a book by J. H. Patterson and advice he got from Gerrit Forbes, who recently returned from hunting in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt discusses whether to employ locals or Englishmen as safari guides on his upcoming trip. He has started engaging shikaris, and notes that he would rather not employ white guides unless absolutely necessary. Roosevelt has amended the list of supplies that Frederick Courteney Selous suggested he bring, cutting down on alcohol and luxuries. He discuses the itinerary and logistics of the trip, particularly in relation to ensuring that he is able to shoot good specimens for the Smithsonian Institute, which can easily be transported.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt clarifies for Ambassador Reid that on his African safari, he intends only to shoot specimens for the National Museum, with the exception of half a dozen trophies for himself, if he is able to shoot extras under his license. He discusses at length is plans for traveling through Europe following the safari. He accepts that he will have to see various heads of state in the countries he visits, and informs Reid that he will be delivering the Romanes lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt approves of the Japanese plan to postpone their international exposition until 1917 and wants to help them “put a good face” on the situation. He agrees with Reid’s assessment of various incidents at the Olympic games. However, Roosevelt stresses that all public statements about the Olympics should be positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt updates Alfred E. Pease on his thoughts about various supplies that he needs for his upcoming safari. He explains that he only wants to hunt in British East Africa and Nyanza, and then travel from Gondokoro to Khartoum. The animal he wants to get the most is a lion. He has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan so that he is free to enjoy his trip. He intends to hire William C. Judd unless Pease objects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if it is possible for the same firm that made his boots to make a pair of mosquito boots for himself and his son Kermit. Buxton should get a list of the provisions that Lawn and Alder are providing for Roosevelt, and has permission to make changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of his ranch is very tempting for Roosevelt, and he is excited to hunt there. Roosevelt is trying to minimize the loss of ammunition that he is having shipped for the hunt, and will try to think of the safari as a holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
President Roosevelt questions Edward North Buxton about whether or not he should bring a gun for close-range shooting. He clarifies his decision to hire an Englishman to manage his caravan, and his choice of hunting guides for himself and his son Kermit. He hopes that he will be able to get permission to visit game reserves in British East Africa to shoot specimens for the National Museum, but he does not want special privileges that would not be extended to others. He plans to start his hunt at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, and wants to know if it will be possible to keep the press away. He notes that his son Ted will be starting his new job while he and Kermit are hunting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-10
Now that President Roosevelt understands the situation regarding the reserves in Africa, he tells Edward North Buxton that he does not intend to go into them unless other public officers are allowed. He does wonder if he would be allowed to shoot certain protected specimens for the National Museum. He discusses the timeline of his trip through British East Africa and up the Nile. Finally, Roosevelt further ponders Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he hire a white man like William C. Judd to manage his caravan while he hunts. He asks Buxton to speak with Selous about it and then provide his thoughts on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12