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President Roosevelt reports that he is struggling to get his two treaties ratified by the Senate and has stopped his broad-sword and single-stick play in favor of riding and walking. He hopes that Billings will allow Kermit and Ted to start home Saturday evening since Roosevelt is leaving for his western tour right after the Senate adjourns.
1903-03-15
President Roosevelt reports to his son Kermit on playing single-stick with General Wood and chopping trees with James Rudolph Garfield and Gifford Pinchot. Roosevelt is having a terrific time trying to get things through Congress. Roosevelt also talks about playing with Archie and Quentin.
1903-01-17
President Roosevelt values Leonard Wood’s suggestions but is unsure how to convey them in a message to Congress. Additionally, he is not sure it is wise to ask for both a reorganization and enlargement of the army. Since becoming President, he gets enough exercise to stay healthy but is not in condition for hard work. Roosevelt will go easy in Africa and avoid mountaineering and similar activities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
President Roosevelt thanks his sister-in-law Emily Tyler Carow for the book that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt got him on her behalf. The Roosevelts have had their “usual type of Christmas,” though with fewer toys as the children get older. Soon they will go to the Pine Knot cabin with friends. Roosevelt has much to worry him in his work, but the incidents “will all go downstream.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-26
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit Roosevelt that he gave a speech at the Gridiron Club, wherein he emphasized he would not run for a third term. Roosevelt discusses his recent exercise habits, noting that he doesn’t give it up “because I think I would ultimately be worse off without it.” Roosevelt says his sons Archibald B. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt have built two fireplaces on the White House property, and have been cooking meals with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-09
George LeRoy Brown acknowledges receipt of Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and discusses the concept of compulsory versus voluntary arbitration. He quips that it’s just as important to “go-a-fishing” as it is to go to school. He also believes daily exercise is necessary for building character, but thinks convincing older army officers might be difficult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-18
Lawrence Godkin tells President Roosevelt of an exercise routine that he promises will take inches off of Roosevelt’s waist, and tells him to contact Professor Leonide Keating if he is interested in learning more. Godkin says that he is not touting for Keating and has no axe to grind, but only wants to give “more power to [Roosevelt’s] elbow to resist the office seekers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-18
President Roosevelt chops a large log labeled “the strenuous life” while a raccoon looks on, “He’s always gettin’ a hump on.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-03
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that there has been considerable grumbling over his order regarding physical exercise. In order to put a stop to it, Roosevelt decided to ride 90 miles in one day himself. He and three others rode from Washington, D.C., to Warrenton and back, a distance of 98 miles, beginning at 3:30 a.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m.
Congress feels they do not have to listen to the President since his term is nearly up and he expects fights over some veto messages he will send. He will start his libel suits against The World and the Indianapolis News. Roosevelt says he and Mother have enjoyed life at the White House but are ready to leave.
1909-01-14
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is glad Kermit liked his message. Roosevelt believes it will help Secretary of War Taft secure the Republican presidential nomination. He adds that he is sending Kermit a new edition of Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter because there is a picture of Kermit jumping a stone wall. Roosevelt talks about a visit from the Rector of Groton School and Mrs. Peabody. He closes by saying a Chippewa Indian gave him a council pipe and bead belt he will hold for Kermit.
1908-02-10
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about securing the Republican presidential nomination for Secretary of War Taft. Roosevelt adds that men hostile to him are trying to nominate New York Governor Hughes. He closes by saying it is the height of the social season, which is preventing him from exercising.
1908-01-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his heavy workload. He says he can hardly find time to exercise and finds himself delegating a lot of duties, leaving time to develop his really big policies. Roosevelt also says he feels his Cabinet is just about ideal. He closes by mentioning a visit by Owen Wister.
1907-05-04
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about plans to see Kermit, his thoughts on the books of Charles Lever, and exercise.
1907-02-20
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his speech to the Gridiron Club. Though Roosevelt has a lot of work to do, he does not want to give up his exercise. He closes with a story about Archie and Quentin building a brick fireplace to cook on outside. Kermit appears to have written on the back of the letter.
1906-12-09
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to report on his activities with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and other family members. He also mentions that Quentin wants to go to the Fay School, a boarding school, in the fall, which upsets Edith.
1906-09-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit Roosevelt about Ted’s studies. Roosevelt adds that he is happy with Kermit’s marks and glad Kermit gave up football. Roosevelt says he is very busy but he tries to get some exercise in the evening. Ethel, Archie, and Quentin have terrible colds and Emily Tyler Carow is visiting.
1905-11-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he will see him in February for Alice Roosevelt’s wedding. Roosevelt says January and February are the hardest months because of all the social obligations and no time for exercise. He has ridden with Edith and sometimes Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Secretary of State Elihu Root, and Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt ends by saying Keating, who he put in the Secret Service, went on one of his “sprees” and died of heart failure.
1906-01-08
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and tells him all the family is away at the moment. He speaks of all the birds he has seen and the walks and rides he has gone on. He also complains about a hard time with the Senate over the rate bill. Roosevelt says he is sorry Kermit did not do better in his studies last month.
1906-02-25
President Roosevelt has arranged for Kermit to come to the March 4 inauguration. Roosevelt has been playing tennis, riding, and scrambling with Ted, Matt and Granville Fortescue, then reading to Archie and Quentin in the evenings. Senator Lodge is staying at the White House now, and Corinne and Douglas Robinson will come down for Thanksgiving.
1904-11-22
President Roosevelt expresses his disappointment in Kermit Roosevelt being ranked 18th at school and wants him to focus more on his studies. The election is entering its final week and Roosevelt is keeping busy exercising.
1904-10-30