Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt assures Frank M. Chapman that he will look for the camera lens in Kermit Roosevelt’s possession. Roosevelt thinks Kermit may have brought the lens to New Brunswick. Roosevelt forwarded Chapman’s letter to Kermit at Harvard. Roosevelt asks Chapman what dates he will be traveling for, because Roosevelt hopes to see Chapman before he departs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
President Roosevelt is pleased with the double barreled .450 Edward North Buxton sent him as a gift from a number of people. Roosevelt discusses the amount of cartridges he would need for hunting game in Africa, will try to take care of himself on the trip and asks if there is any way he could thank all the gun donors. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt declares that even Holland has not made a better rifle; it fits him exactly and he will personally take it to Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-27
President Roosevelt shall try to look into the actions of the honeybird, which John Burroughs also mentioned to him. Roosevelt wishes he had Charles Sheldon’s age and endurance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-18
President Roosevelt agrees that Abel Chapman’s book is interesting. Roosevelt hopes that John Burroughs’s prophecy about the big game herds being gone is wrong. Roosevelt does not expect to get lion and elephant while in Africa, but expects to get rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and antelope. Roosevelt anticipates telling Burroughs everything about his time in Africa upon his return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-12
President Roosevelt tells Alfred E. Pease that he will go to his ranch first upon arriving in Africa and afterward go to William Northrup McMillan’s. Roosevelt discusses Abel Chapman’s book on hunting and is concerned that he will have trouble getting wildebeest and hartebeest due to his poor skill at long-range shooting. He would also like to discuss with the Belgians the best locations for him to shoot a white rhinoceros.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-06
President Roosevelt is worried about what he hears from Governor of Kenya James Hayes Sadler about an event at a ballroom of 150 people. He tells Edward North Buxton that if it would not appear “churlish,” he would like to avoid public and formal events when he first arrives in Africa and go straight to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch from Mombasa. Abel Chapman’s book has made Roosevelt worried about his ability to shoot wildebeest, as well as the possibility of catching fever. He reflects on his time as president and says he will leave office “pleased and contented.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-08
Ernest Thompson Seton asks Theodore Roosevelt for his opinion of his two volumes of Life Histories of Northern Animals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-31
Ernest Thompson Seton was glad to receive the latest news from Theodore Roosevelt’s hunt in Africa. Seton’s book on North American mammals came out earlier in November and has received good reviews. A copy is waiting for Roosevelt in New York. He offers a discussion about the relationship between monogamy and sanitation practices among mammals. He believes that monogamy is more beneficial and asks if Roosevelt can pay attention to any evidence of polygamous ruminants with sanitary practices. He also points out that lions are believed to be monogamous and asks Roosevelt to keep signs of monogamy in mind while collecting information about them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-11-29
Edward North Buxton assures President Roosevelt that he will have a good experience hunting in Africa and will not struggle to get game as he fears after reading Abel Chapman’s book. He offers Roosevelt advice on scoping out game on Alfred Pease’s ranch and about testing his rifle before he travels. In a handwritten postscript, he assures Roosevelt that the press will understand his going straight to Pease’s ranch if he tells them he wants a quiet time. He also offers advice on mosquitos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-10
Anna Roosevelt Cowles wishes her brother, President Roosevelt, a happy birthday. Cowles wishes that she could see him for a “real talk.” She asks him if it would be possible for him to receive Joseph W. Alsop’s cousin, Mary Oliver Alsop Dabney Boreham, with Hubert D. Astley and his wife, Lady Sutton, when Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt can also be there. Astley is interested in birds. Cowles discusses the political situation in Connecticut, which is not very good. George L. Lilley was chosen in the caucus, but is having a hard time on the ticket, where he is challenged by A. Heaton Robertson. Alsop is struggling in the state senate race. She asks if Roosevelt can have William Loeb telephone her when he is sure about the result of the presidential vote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-27