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Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with how African Game Trails looks. He asks Robert Bridges for two copies of the library edition to send to Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton before he leaves. Upon his return, he will send copies of the Scribner edition to three naturalists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-08-15
President Roosevelt happily accepts the invitation to visit William Northrup McMillan on his African safari. First, he is going to stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, but he hopes to do shorter hunts on both Pease’s and McMillan’s properties before the rainy season ends and he leaves for longer trips. Roosevelt and his son Kermit hope to shoot a male and female of each of the big game animals for the Smithsonian Institution. He discusses several proposed itineraries, but will put off making final decisions until he arrives in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
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 the provisions, particularly alcohol and other drinks, that he intends to bring for his upcoming safari. Noting that Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton disagree on whether or not Roosevelt should hire a white man to manage his caravan, Roosevelt asks for Selous’s opinion. Roosevelt is considering hiring William C. Judd for the job. If he does hire Judd, Roosevelt wants it to be made clear that he will not be doing any hunting and will only be managing the caravan and serving as guide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt will be happy to accept F. R. Wingate’s offer of a boat and guide to take him up the Nile River to Khartoum. He clarifies that he would like permission to shoot in officers’ game reserves only if there are animals there that he cannot get anywhere else. He is particularly interested in shooting elephants and a white rhinoceros, and discusses the timing of trips that may allow him to get them. Roosevelt is also excited to visit the Congo to see Wingate’s administrative accomplishments there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt happily accepts the invitation to visit Willian Northrup McMillan’s house in Nairobi and to hunt on his farm. However, he has already promised to stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch when he first arrives, and asks if he can wait to name a time when he can visit McMillan. He discusses the proposed itinerary for his African safari, which includes time in British East Africa and Uganda before traveling up the Nile.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
When he is in Africa, President Roosevelt would like to hunt at William Northrup McMillan’s farm, as well as stay at Alfred E. Pease’s, but he will defer to Pease’s judgment on the matter. He is very excited by Pease’s description of all the animals he can shoot along the Nile. Roosevelt discusses when and where he will procure supplies along the way. He must now turn his attention to the presidential election in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt tells Alfred E. Pease that he intends to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan on his upcoming safari. Edward North Buxton disagrees with this decision, but Roosevelt feels that this will allow him more time to study the habits of animals and enjoy his holiday. The guide can arrange for the rest of the party, with taxidermists and naturalists, to camp nearby when Roosevelt and his son Kermit stay at Pease’s ranch. Roosevelt also might like to travel into German or Belgian territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his African safari, despite objections from Edward North Buxton. Roosevelt asks Selous to hire either R. J. Cunninghame or William C. Judd for the job if they are available. He provides a list of provisions that he would like to bring on the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt is sorry to hear that J. H. Patterson’s trip to the United States is delayed, and hopes that it is not because he is ill. The arrangements for Roosevelt’s African safari are being finalized. He has asked Frederick Courteney Selous to hire someone to manage the expedition so that he can spend his own time hunting and making notes. He would like to do a trip like one Patterson took, and asks where he went.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for speaking to Lord Crewe. He accepts a special license for shooting and entering game reserves in Africa, which he will only use if it is unclear that he is on land belonging to a reserve. Roosevelt outlines his plans for procuring supplies for his safari. He makes passing references to the situation in the Balkans, and his thoughts on women’s suffrage. He is amused by a cartoon and article that Reid sent, and shares his feelings about caricatures. The one by Thomas Nast as “an absolute outrage.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt provides Frederick Courteney Selous with an excerpt of a letter that Frederick John Jackson sent another American about Roosevelt’s upcoming safari. The letter included various recommendations about suppliers and itinerary. Roosevelt likes the itinerary, but is concerned about whether he can prevent the press from following his caravan. He asks if the government could refuse to issue them licenses to travel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-25
President Roosevelt informs F. R. Wingate of his plans to go on safari in the British territories in Africa. He lists the places he intends to visit and the animals he intends to shoot. Most of the specimens will be donated to the Smithsonian Institute, although Roosevelt and his son Kermit may keep a few trophies for themselves. Roosevelt assures Wingate that he intends to travel as a private citizen, and does not want the leaders of any of the territories making special arrangements for him. He adds that he is interested to see how Wingate and others have managed the British possessions in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-29
President Roosevelt informs Alfred E. Pease that he expects to be in Mombasa around April 22 and 23, and would like to accept the invitation to hunt on his ranch during the rainy season. Roosevelt is out of shape and hopes to become more fit at Pease’s ranch. He asks for advice about how much money to send for horses and supplies, which saddle to get, and which guns will be the best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
President Roosevelt apprises Frederick John Jackson, Lieutenant-Governor of British East Africa, of his upcoming safari. Roosevelt plans to spend at least six months there hunting, to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. While he does not want to be a bother, Roosevelt asks Jackson if he has any recommendations about where he should get porters, which stores he should use for supplies, and the best locations for shooting. He does not want any undue consideration or ceremony while he is in Africa, as he is traveling as a private citizen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-16
President Roosevelt thanks J. H. Patterson for the letter, saying that it told him exactly what he wanted to know. Roosevelt is very excited about his upcoming safari in Africa, and says he will follow Patterson’s advice to make his main trip British East Africa, and describes his plans there. Much of his hunting will be done for the Smithsonian Institution, with whom he is partnering for the trip, although he would like to take two or three trophies for his own use, if it is permitted. Roosevelt would be very glad if Patterson would be able to visit him at the White House before he leaves office, and describes a visit he had with some other people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-06
President Roosevelt is grateful for the assistance that Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton are providing in planning his African safari. Roosevelt hopes to leave the United States in early April, and will stay first at the ranch of Alfred E. Pease in Nairobi, British East Africa. Other tentative plans include hunting in Uganda and along Nile tributaries. Roosevelt thinks he will arrange to make the trip on behalf of the National Museum of Natural History and hopes he will be allowed certain privileges not granted to non-scientific sportsmen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-25
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that British Army Captain Frederick Courteney Selous is at the front. He compares Selous’s position as an older officer to General von Hindenberg, the most successful German general, who is over the age limit for generals. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Selous’s corp was treated poorly in East Africa. He encloses two articles he wrote supporting universal military service and rigorous application of military law. Roosevelt has been distressed at the misconduct of the United States and the activities of the “professional pacifists.” If Germany keeps sinking ships carrying Americans, the public may demand a declaration of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-28
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Bryce to thank Mr. Jones for the interesting volume on the Roman Empire, which Roosevelt genuinely enjoyed. He received the glass sent by Edward North Buxton, and thanks Bryce for the trouble he took to get it to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-10
President Roosevelt is concerned to hear about Lavender Mary Pease’s accident and hopes she is well again soon. Roosevelt has been reading Lord Alfred E. Pease’s volumes on his hunting and exploring in Africa, and has just received a double barreled rifle from Edward North Buxton.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20