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President Roosevelt sends Kermit Roosevelt a kind letter from Seth Bullock. Roosevelt reminds Kermit that if he becomes ill in Africa he will be sent home. Manuel A. Da Silva has been hired to be Kermit’s guide, and Roosevelt has been discussing the trip with his English friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-05
President Roosevelt is pleased that Manuel A. Da Silva will be able to attend the safari to assist Kermit Roosevelt with big game. William Northrup McMillan has already arranged the porters, so Da Silva should not have to do anything about them. Roosevelt plans to arrive in Mombasa in April.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-05
President Roosevelt writes to Edward North Buxton about the shoes he plans to bring with him on his safari. Roosevelt is glad to have the input of Buxton, Frederick Courteney Selous, and Alfred E. Pease regarding his travel plans. Currently, Roosevelt plans to have a white man as a caravan manager and local shikaris to assist with the hunting. Roosevelt thanks Buxton for assisting with the money transfer, along with everything else, and looks forward to their meeting in England.
President Roosevelt cannot give the endorsement John Hays Hammond requests, because if he gave one endorsement, he would be asked to endorse countless other organizations as well. If he were going to South Africa, he would hire Frederick Russell Burnham as a guide. Because he is going to East Africa, however, he needs someone with local knowledge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt thanks Frederick Courteney Selous for helping him prepare for his African trip, and reviews the supplies that have been arranged. Although hesitant at first, Roosevelt agrees with Selous on hiring “a reliable white man to manage the caravan and the like.” He requests that Selous hire William C. Judd for the position. Arrangements have been made for shipping the ammunition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if his letter to Alfred E. Pease was clear on specific points relating to his Africa trip. He has been advised to hire an Englishman but would rather have a native guide. Roosevelt continues to gather supplies and equipment, agreeing that footwear is too important to consider the expense. He shares his travel plans and ideas with Buxton.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt encloses the revised lists of supplies for Frederick Courteney Selous. He discusses his reasoning behind the revisions and provides Selous with his travel itinerary. Gerrit Forbes recently visited Roosevelt and recounted his recent hunt in Africa. Roosevelt is reluctant to hire a white man for the trip but will do so if Selous suggests it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt thanks Percy C. Madeira for his kindness. If possible, he does not want to take any professional guide who is an Englishman. Edward L. Sanderson has suggested another man whom Roosevelt is willing to take.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
Jacob Edward Borah advertises his mountain lion, bobcat, wolf, and coyote hunts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906
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
Theodore Roosevelt would like to take a trip to Alaska with his son, Archibald B. Roosevelt. Roosevelt would like to give the younger Roosevelt a chance to kill giant moose, big bear, white sheep, and caribou, and asks E. Marshall Scull for his advice on whom Roosevelt should contact to help set up the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-08
President Roosevelt has heard from John Jay White that William C. Judd is an “admirable man in every way.” Roosevelt tells Frederick Courteney Selous that White believes that Roosevelt could trust his son Kermit to Judd on their African safari. He encloses copies of notes by Hubert Silberrad, including his thoughts on Judd and R. J. Cunninghame.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is glad that Frederick Courteney Selous enjoyed his hunting trip, but is melancholy to realize that the United States has lost so much of its hunting grounds. Roosevelt recalls a few of his own hunting experiences: “I was just in time to see the last of the real wilderness life and real wilderness hunting.” Roosevelt also recommends several books to Selous and provides information about his experience ranching in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-11-30
A. Blayney Percival is happy to assist President Roosevelt in getting the game he wants on his trip to Africa. He advises Roosevelt to bring a pair of rubber boots for the rainy season, and a pair of “real strong boots” for the rougher parts of the country. He will write again if he thinks of any other advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-30
Alfred E. Pease is forwarding President Roosevelt’s letter regarding the money to Edward North Buxton. Pease hears good things about William C. Judd and thinks he would be a fine man to take on the Safari trip, even if Buxton is negative about a white “head man.” Pease can prepare the mules when Roosevelt arrives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-20
Reverend Rainsford assures President Roosevelt that Lieutenant-Governor of the East African Protectorate Frederick John Jackson will be an excellent source of information during Roosevelt’s safari. Rainsford advises Roosevelt on rifle types and hunting guides, and offers to be of service if Roosevelt needs assistance with additional supplies. Includes both handwritten and typed copies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-17
Edward North Buxton writes to President Roosevelt about potential food and beverage supplies, gives updates on rifle suggestions, and cautions against going with the mosquito boots made by Flacks. He sends a detailed map of the reserve boundaries and Alfred E. Pease’s camp, with a letter from Pease and a reminder that Pease’s camp is too small for a large group. Buxton suggests Roosevelt wait to hear more on William C. Judd before selecting a “head man” for his safari, and informs Roosevelt that the Somali shikari are the best hunters. In order to get a variety of experiences, Buxton suggests potential timelines and routes for Roosevelt while he travels through Sudan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
Ambassador Reid’s acquaintance Cyril A. Ward went hunting in Africa two years ago. Reid will send President Roosevelt a copy of the book documenting the trip. Ward directs that African Game Ranger Blaney Percival is a useful contact and will give Reid a copy of his supply list. Reid discusses the controversy over King Edward VII’s recent interviews with sovereigns and prime ministers conducted without proper governmental supervision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
Percy C. Madeira reminds President Roosevelt of his recommendation of R. J. Cuninghame as an experienced guide for his Africa trip. Madeira’s friend likewise endorses Cuninghame as he speaks the languages, is familiar with social customs, knows animals, is acquainted with the region’s geography, and is both charming and knowledgeable. As a result, his services are in high demand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-17
Frederick Courteney Selous describes hunting trips in a game reserve south of the Zambezi River in Africa, in particular the types and behavior of the game animals in the reserve.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903