Cunninghame, R. J. (Richard John), 1871-1925

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Northrup McMillan

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Newland, Tarlton & Company

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Carl Ethan Akeley

President Roosevelt thanks Carl Ethan Akeley for letting him know that R. J. Cunninghame is alright. He is immensely pleased.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. Barton Hepburn

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned about what A. Barton Hepburn says of R. J. Cunninghame, and asks for news of other friends. Much of the letter is illegible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edgar Alexander Mearns

Theodore Roosevelt has undertaken a libel suit against a Michigan editor who publicly accused Roosevelt of being a “habitual drinker.” Roosevelt would like Edgar Alexander Mearns to testify to the fact that Roosevelt “practically drank nothing during our African trip.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-02-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmund Heller

Theodore Roosevelt asks Edmund Heller to testify at his libel trial against George A. Newett about Roosevelt’s lack of alcohol usage while on safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Beach Needham

President Roosevelt returns Henry Beach Needham’s article. Needham must not quote Roosevelt in any way, as Roosevelt would consider it cheap speaking in that way for publication. Roosevelt also points out phrases Needham attributes to Roosevelt that he has never said. He would rather that Needham not write the article at all.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugh H. Heatley

President Roosevelt accepts Hugh H. Heatley’s invitation to hunt on his ranch in Nairobi. Roosevelt particularly wants to get buffalo and have the skins sent to the United States National Museum. He will not abuse Heatley’s courtesy and only try to get animals he has not gotten elsewhere. Roosevelt has sent Heatley’s letter to R. J. Cunninghame, who will be in charge of the safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt received Frederick Courteney Selous’s letters, and the letter from R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt has directed Cunninghame to hire Leslie J. Tarlton, but he might reduce the expedition size later in the trip. It is becoming more expensive than he had anticipated. However, Roosevelt does not want to immediately disregard Cunninghame’s experience and advice. The end of his presidency is keeping Roosevelt very busy, and he looks forward to seeing Selous in April.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Jay White

President Roosevelt thanks John Jay White for the letter and advice about his upcoming Africa trip. Reverend W. S. Rainsford wrote to him along similar lines. Roosevelt has directed R. J. Cunninghame to hire the necessary support staff, and he mentioned the names White suggested. He hopes to begin the hunting expedition very soon after arriving in Africa, and will travel during the rainy season if at all possible. He invites White to come see him in Washington on his return from Richmond.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt updates Frederick Courteney Selous on the preparations for his Africa trip. He is giving caravan manager R. J. Cunninghame the “power commensurate with his responsibility,” and has directed him to hire support staff. Roosevelt wants to pay his bills before leaving for Africa, and asks Selous to request that they be sent over. He likes the double-barreled Holland rifle, and looks forward to seeing Selous on the steamer at Naples. In a postscript, he wonders if Selous could arrange for pipe tobacco to be sent to Nairobi for Kermit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Friedrich Bronsart von Schellendorf

President Roosevelt thanks Friedrich Bronsart von Schellendorf for the letter. He will gladly accept a copy of Schellendorf’s book, and hopes to visit his farm in Africa. Schellendorf should contact Roosevelt’s caravan manager, R. J. Cunninghame, about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Newland, Tarlton & Company

President Roosevelt requests that Newland, Tarlton & Company deliver the enclosed letter to his caravan manager, R. J. Cunninghame, who has instructions to buy supplies from them. Roosevelt will bring six rifles to supplement those that W. S. Rainsford left for him, and he has already sent two lots of ammunition ahead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Smith, Mackenzie & Company

President Roosevelt asks Smith, Mackenzie & Company to forward his goods to Newland, Tarlton & Company, rather than to the ranch of Alfred E. Pease. R. J. Cunningham, who will manage Roosevelt’s safari, may call upon Smith, Mackenzie & Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is very pleased to hear that Frederick Courteney Selous will be going hunting in Africa, but jokes that Selous should leave him at least one lion to hunt while he is on safari. He asks Selous to forward a letter to R. J. Cunninghame after reading it and adding any details he thinks are necessary. Roosevelt also shares his current traveling plans for his safari regarding where he hopes to hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

President Roosevelt has spoken with a number of people about his upcoming African safari, and informs Alfred E. Pease of his plans as they now stand.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Newland, Tarlton & Company

President Roosevelt informs Newland, Tarlton & Company that he has asked Smith, Mackenzie & Company to forward an outfit, and asks that they store it until it is needed. He has also arranged for R. J. Cunninghame to make additional purchases, as he will be managing Roosevelt’s safari. Roosevelt plans to stay in Nairobi for only a day before leaving for Sir Alfred Pease’s ranch, and hopes that Newland, Tarlton & Company will be occasionally able to store some of his gear.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Northrup McMillan

President Roosevelt hopes that by sending this letter care of Frederick Courteney Selous it will reach William Northrup McMillan, as he fears the ones sent to McMillan’s London address have not reached him. Roosevelt would be very pleased to visit McMillan’s ranch after he leaves Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He asks McMillan to communicate with R. J. Cunninghame about the need for shikaris for the caravan, as he will be managing that for Roosevelt. Roosevelt recently had lunch with Sir John L. Harrington and Lady Amy McMillan Harrington. Roosevelt would like for McMillan to come spend a night at the White House before he leaves for Africa, if that is at all possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26