Boots

President Roosevelt writes to Edward North Buxton about the shoes he plans to bring with him on his safari. Roosevelt is glad to have the input of Buxton, Frederick Courteney Selous, and Alfred E. Pease regarding his travel plans. Currently, Roosevelt plans to have a white man as a caravan manager and local shikaris to assist with the hunting. Roosevelt thanks Buxton for assisting with the money transfer, along with everything else, and looks forward to their meeting in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton about mosquito boots and requests that he review the supply list and make any needed changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of where to hunt lion and other game thoroughly excites Roosevelt. The Winchester Repeating Arms Company has arranged for shipping ammunition. Roosevelt intends to follow Buxton’s advice and “shall travel as comfortably as possible.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-07

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if his letter to Alfred E. Pease was clear on specific points relating to his Africa trip. He has been advised to hire an Englishman but would rather have a native guide. Roosevelt continues to gather supplies and equipment, agreeing that footwear is too important to consider the expense. He shares his travel plans and ideas with Buxton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

R. Sheridan shipped a pair of pumps, with adjustments, to the President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-13

R. Sheridan acknowledges he has the returned pumps, apologizes that the pumps were uncomfortable, and will make the necessary adjustments and send a new pair to the President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-06

R. Sheridan acknowledges receipt of the President’s order for evening dress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-20

To ease the tightness President Roosevelt feels in his new boots, R. Sheridan will send shoe forms.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-23

R. Sheridan acknowledges receipt of an order for two pairs of black walking shoes for President Roosevelt, and promises to follow directions and have them made with as much room as the last pair. Regarding the complaint William Loeb told him of, that the riding boots he made for Roosevelt were not as comfortable as his old ones, Sheridan suggests that it is because they are new and will will have to be broken in.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-31

Theodore Roosevelt asks his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles if calfskin boots were delivered her home in New York City and if so could she send them on to him in Washington.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-05-28

William Loeb informs Abercrombie & Fitch that President Roosevelt thinks the boots are satisfactory and will keep both pairs. He returns the bill with a check for $26.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-20

President Roosevelt thinks Ambassador Reid made the right call on not sending him the boots and shoes, as it would have violated a rule set out by the State Department. Because the rifle that had been sent to Roosevelt will be sent back immediately after he tests it, the circumstances surrounding it are different.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-09

President Roosevelt has already received two pairs of mosquito boots, so Edward North Buxton no longer needs to send him any more. Roosevelt intends to try out a gun which Whitelaw Reid has forwarded to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

President Roosevelt thanks Lewis Morris Iddings, the American Consul General in Cairo, Egypt, for the mosquito boots he sent for Roosevelt’s upcoming safari trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

President Roosevelt thanks Lewis Morris Iddings, American Consul General in Egypt, for what he has done in helping Roosevelt to prepare for his safari. Roosevelt is confident that the mosquito boots will be all right, but promises to inform Iddings if something is wrong with them. Roosevelt is “quite overcome by the kindness of all [his] friends, English and American.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

President Roosevelt agrees with Edward North Buxton regarding the cartridge size, and thinks Buxton is correct about sending him the rifle to try. Roosevelt sends Buxton his head measurements for a pith helmet, and asks him to order various other necessary supplies to have sent to Mombasa. Roosevelt recently spoke with Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville, Lord Warwick, who seemed to be “a good fellow.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

President Roosevelt sends Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville, the Earl of Warwick, some measurements for a pair of boots, and expresses his pleasure at having visited with him recently.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-13

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton several questions regarding boots, firearms, staff, and finances for his upcoming African safari. Roosevelt mentions that he is worried that his son Kermit Roosevelt might become ill with fever during the trip. Roosevelt asks Buxton to let him know if Count Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein, is able to visit him in Oyster Bay so he can show him his trophies and discuss the hunting trips Hoyos has written about. Roosevelt encloses some letters and asks Buxton about the status of the writers. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt expresses his excitement to see Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-01

President Roosevelt sends Edward North Buxton a pair of Kermit Roosevelt’s shoes to use as a pattern for new boots for the upcoming African safari. Roosevelt believes it would be good to accept Alfred E. Pease’s invitation to hunt at his ranch in Africa, unless Buxton advises otherwise. Roosevelt suggests a short one week trip to get himself and Kermit Roosevelt in shape and accustomed to the safari staff before the main hunt. Roosevelt appreciates the information on Uganda, but thinks if he can get the game he wants in Sudan or British East Africa, he will not visit Uganda. Roosevelt appreciates all that Buxton is doing for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-28

President Roosevelt finds fault with the shoe manufacturing company Potbury & Lee for the boots they have made, as they were much too small. Roosevelt will keep one pair for his son, Kermit Roosevelt, but has no use for the other and therefore returns it. He also sends Potbury & Lee a pair of shoes that he asks them to duplicate exactly. He admonishes them for making a mistake about the boots, as they have based them on a pair of his city shoes, which he does not wear with large socks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-15

Theodore Roosevelt sends an enclosure and asks Anna Roosevelt Cowles if she can find out if the calfskin lace boots were delivered and if they could be sent to him in Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-28