Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt agrees with Ambassador Reid’s assessment of the interviewing being done by Edward VII, King of England. He thanks Reid for the introduction to Phillip H. Percival. After conferring with Edward North Buxton, Roosevelt has decided not to shoot in the reserves, and rescinds his request to Lord Eyre Crowe. Instead he asks only for permission regarding restricted species. The Sirdar of Egypt, F. R. Wingate, has written to Roosevelt about Sudan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton for clarification about hunting guns and safari guides. Roosevelt would likely avoid hunting in the reserves, as the idea bothers him, and he would also like to avoid all press coverage and fanfare while out on Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He enjoys hearing of Edward North Buxton and Emily Digby Buxton’s life together, and writes that he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have spent time over the summer taking rides and going out on the water, while Ted Roosevelt gets ready to go into business. In a postscript, Roosevelt writes that he would like to avoid the reserves completely, but wonders if it would be possible to hunt one or two potentially restricted specimens outside the reserve, for the National Museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt requests that Ambassador Reid explain to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes that his African trip is a scientific expedition to collect specimens for the National Museum, not “a game butchering trip.” However, if given the opportunity, Roosevelt may collect some trophies. The invitation from the chancellor of Oxford, George Nathaniel Curzon, to present the Romanes lecture gives Roosevelt a genuine reason to visit England on his return from Africa. He details his travel itinerary, plans for appropriate formal attire, and people to call upon. Roosevelt is interested in what the Japanese minister for foreign affairs Jutarō Komura says and includes his letter to Japanese ambassador Kogoro Takahira and the reply. Reid’s full statement on the incidents of the Olympics pleases Roosevelt, who believes intense international matches inevitably result in misunderstandings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to Great Britain Reid updates President Roosevelt on various matters, including poet Algernon Charles Swinburne and his “suppressed” poem, the Newfoundland modus vivendi, and happenings in Parliament. Reid also details how he “warded off…the offer of some brand-new territory and responsibilities” in Nicaragua.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-28

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Elizabeth Towne

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary is unaware of quotations from Henry Labouchère regarding Roosevelt. He will be unable to provide the other opinions on Roosevelt requested by Elizabeth Towne, as they do not keep clippings which reference Roosevelt. The secretary suggests numerous people whom Towne could contact for these opinions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-03

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to F. R. Wingate

President Roosevelt sympathizes with the concerns that F. R. Wingate, Governor General of the Sudan, has about not getting the necessary money for developments. He is grateful for the work that Wingate and other Englishmen are doing to help him organize his safari. Roosevelt is desperate for a chance to shoot a white rhinoceros, and wants the same permissions that Winston Churchill did on his hunt. Although the first pair of white rhinoceros he shoots are promised to the Smithsonian Institution, Roosevelt wants Ambassador Whitelaw Reid to ask if the British Museum wants a second pair, should he be lucky enough to shoot one.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt is determined to shoot a white rhinoceros on his African safari, and would like Ambassador Reid to speak with Lord Crewe about his obtaining permission to hunt in the same places in Uganda as Winston Churchill did. He would like Reid to inquire if the British Museum would like a white rhinoceros specimen if he is lucky enough to shoot three; the first two are promised to the Smithsonian Institution. He discusses a number of international events including the situation in India, and the ongoing controversy between the United States and England that arose during the summer Olympics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Upton Sinclair

Theodore Roosevelt will be unable to write an introduction for Upton Sinclair’s book because he is too busy at the moment and does not have enough time. Roosevelt suggests asking Winston Churchill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt is glad the furor over the results of some of the Olympic games is dying down, and specifically remarks on the results of the marathon. Additionally, Roosevelt explains to Ambassador Reid the situation surrounding a newspaper interview with German Emperor William II. William Bayard Hale petitioned the White House to help with gaining admission to the Kaiser, which was refused, but persisted in getting access. The resulting interview spoke on a number of sensitive matters and “lookt like a pipe dream,” and while Roosevelt believed it was accurate, advised the New York Times not to publish it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to F. R. Wingate

President Roosevelt attempts to assuage F. R. Wingate’s embarrassment about previously addressing him by the wrong title, saying that “not one in ten” Americans know his proper title. Roosevelt is touched by the effort so many English people have made to help with preparations for his safari, both his friends and also various officials he is not acquainted with. He sympathizes with Wingate’s feeling about the lack of development in the Sudan, comparing it to American improvements in the Philippines, where ambitions were high, but a lack of funds disrupted the projects. Roosevelt will communicate with Wingate from Nairobi, and relates his plans for traveling and hunting. Roosevelt reflects that he “ought to feel melancholy over leaving the Presidency,” but the excitement of his upcoming safari dwarfs any such feelings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Reid if he would be able to petition Lord Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes to write to officials in Uganda that Roosevelt would appreciate being given a guide and information that would allow him to hunt a white rhinoceros or elephant. The current unrest in India concerns Roosevelt, and asks what the feelings of British officials are towards it. Roosevelt also remarks briefly on his plans to leave immediately after William H. Taft’s inauguration as president, and comments on a controversy that arose at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, which is still fostering some resentment between the two nations. If Roosevelt can secure a third specimen of the white rhinoceros, he would be happy to send it to the British Museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

President Roosevelt reflects to his friend George Otto Trevelyan on the result of his election, his presidency, and his feelings on leaving office. He feels good about his accomplishments in office and is confident about leaving William H. Taft as his successor. Although he enjoyed, as always, the new edition of Trevelyan’s Life of Macaulay, he takes exception to Trevelyan including a quote from Archibald Philip Primrose Rosebery which called Macaulay’s marginalia “sublime.” Finally, Roosevelt discusses the reading habits of his sons, Ted and Kermit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt expresses pride and sadness that his son Ted, at twenty-one, is making up his mind about what he wants to do next fall. He encourages Ted to focus on hard work and remember the fun he had as a boy. Roosevelt also discusses the books he has been reading and offers his thought on Winston Churchill’s book about his father. He tells Ted about riding with David Gray.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt agrees with Senator Lodge about wanting an appointee who follows the tenants of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall. He is pleased with the outcome in Maine given the previous harm caused by the issue of temperance and liquor laws. Roosevelt shares how he took “solid satisfaction” in taking a shot at journalist Norman Hapgood. Reading Winston Churchill’s biography of his father, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, reaffirmed Roosevelt’s dislike of both father and son.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton discusses the equipment and supplies he has sent to President Roosevelt in preparation for his upcoming African safari, including the proper guns, bullets, hats, and shoes. Buxton also discusses Winston Churchill’s remarks on quinine as a treatment for malaria. He asks Roosevelt if he will come dine with the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire, of which Buxton is a founding member, when Roosevelt visits England the following year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-09

Creator(s)

Buxton, Edward North, 1840-1924

Letter from Edward North to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton informs President Roosevelt that he has sent him a single Zeiss glass. Buxton suggests Roosevelt carries it in a pocket bag across his chest and discusses other details and supplies about Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-28

Creator(s)

Buxton, Edward North, 1840-1924

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Winston Churchill gave Whitelaw Reid a copy of his book to send to President Roosevelt just before the diplomatic pouch was sealed, which Reid now sends to Roosevelt. Churchill additionally pledges assistance should Roosevelt need any regarding his upcoming safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-23

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912