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Photograph shows hunter R. J. Cunninghame and Theodore Roosevelt inspecting a skull in front of a tent.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-04-04
![Cunningham[e], Kermit, Col. Roosevelt, Heller & Heatl[e]y at Buffalo Corner](https://theodorerooseveltcenter.s3.amazonaws.com/TRC/LCPP/thumbnails/Roosevelt%20Presidential%20File/36500/36541u.jpg)
Photograph shows hunter R. J. Cunninghame, Kermit Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Edmund Heller, and Hugh H. Heatley standing with African buffalo skulls in front of tent.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1919-05-14
Frederick Courteney Selous assures President Roosevelt that, in spite of the advice he has heard from Hubert Silberrad and Mr. Buchon, R. J. Cunninghame and William Northrup McMillan will be able to provide him with very good Somali hunters, trackers, and gunbearers for the trip. Buchon and Silberrad had suggested that Roosevelt should use natives who are familiar with the area, but Selous believes that the native tribes in British East Africa are not good hunters and trackers. Selous also suggests storing Roosevelt’s provisions and camp gear in Nairobi while he and Kermit are staying at Alfred Pease’s ranch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-03
Photos of Theodore Roosevelt (dressed in safari garb), J. Alden Loring “Naturalist”, Col. E. A. Mearns “U.S.A., retired, Surgeon,” and R. J. Cunninghame “Guide and Manager.” On reverse side is a description of the upcoming Smithsonian African Expedition.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1909
Theodore Roosevelt shares with Stewart Edward White the complimentary words that R. J. Cuninghame wrote about White. He hopes to see White’s wife, Elizabeth Colvert Grant White, the next time they come out East.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt expresses to Edmund Heller the need to quickly document big game specimens from Africa and urges him to return to Washington to finish his reports, sharing news from Frederick Selous and sending regards to friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Theodore Roosevelt is obliged to Edmund Heller for the interesting letter. Roosevelt discusses the hunting abilities and experience of Charles Jesse Jones, Paul James Rainey, and R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt also discusses his article Concealing and Revealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt sends William E. Coffin the list. However, he is confused by the question of guides and professional hunters. He describes how during the kills on his safari, he was usually alone or had another amateur, white hunter with him. The native gun-bearers typically found the game. As such, Roosevelt does not feel he deserves “high honor” in these cases. The same is mostly true for his American hunts, although sometimes he did have guides.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
President Roosevelt has asked his safari guide R. J. Cunninghame to engage Leslie J. Tarlton. Roosevelt is concerned about the growing expense of the trip but does not want to disregard Cunninghame’s suggestions. He is also reluctant to allow anyone other than himself to shoot big game. Roosevelt is very busy with work leading up to the end of his presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt requests the enclosed letter be given to R. J. Cunninghame, whom Frederick Courteney Selous has hired to manage his caravan in Africa. Cunninghame should be given anything he wants from Newland, Tarlton & Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
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 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
President Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous was able to hire R. J. Cunninghame to manage his upcoming safari. He agrees with Selous about how to engage Shikari guides, and thinks it wise to ship most of his supplies to Nairobi and leave logistics to Cunninghame’s judgment. Roosevelt tells Selous that he likely will not go straight to Nairobi when he arrives in Africa, as he wants to avoid press and public attention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
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 naturalists and taxidermists, including Edgar Alexander Mearns, who will accompany him on his African safari. He assures Edward North Buxton that he will make it clear that neither the white safari guide, nor the other white naturalists on the trip will do any hunting. He and Kermit will be the only two guns. He hopes that if they can get some samples close to the railway lines, the naturalists can take the trophies to Nairobi and preserve them there, while Roosevelt and Kermit take a longer trip, similar to J. H. Patterson’s, by themselves. Roosevelt is concerned that he will not be in good enough physical condition to have a successful trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-23
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 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 discusses various matters regarding provisions, hunting rifles, and ammunition for his upcoming African safari. He would like them to be sent to Mombasa and Alfred E. Pease’s ranch for him to pick up when he arrives. Roosevelt informs Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan; this will allow Roosevelt to focus on hunting and not on the logistics of the caravan. While Roosevelt and his son Kermit are staying with Pease, the manager and taxidermists and naturalists that are coming along can stay nearby. Roosevelt discusses the areas he would like to hunt and the animals that he hopes to shoot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt is happy to have Lawn & Alder outfit his entire safari and send the supplies to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He is particularly glad to hear that they can get certain provisions that he wanted, such as Boston baked beans. After much thought, he agrees with Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he should hire a white man to manage the caravan, and will take Selous’s suggestion of William C. Judd.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22