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Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle about his trip to the West Indies with Edith, specifically about spending time with William Beebe and three other naturalists. Roosevelt gives updates on the family and says he and Edith smile every time they think of Kermit, Belle, and baby Kermit.
1916-03-04
Edmund Heller spoke with Charles D. Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and decided at the last minute to join Paul James Rainey’s expedition to Africa on behalf of the National Museum. He did not realize that Theodore Roosevelt had intended to write to Walcott requesting that Heller not go so that he could focus on writing reports on the specimens collected from his own African expedition. Heller explains that no other qualified man is available to go, and lists the ways that this expedition will assist him in finishing his work with Roosevelt’s collection. The paper on the white rhinoceros will be published before Heller goes, and he assures Roosevelt of his dedication to the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Theodore Roosevelt looked up the Auk as Thomas Barbour suggested and was amused by Abbott Handerson Thayer’s allusion to Barbour and John C. Phillips. Thayer has likely seen Roosevelt’s pamphlet and is welcome to turn his wrath towards him. Roosevelt does not understand how naturalists continue to take Thayer seriously and hopes Barbour and Phillips will make a serious attack against him and his dishonesty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt informs Langdon Warner that there is no use talking to Abbott Handerson Thayer because he is unable to face the facts about protective coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated W. P. Pycraft’s letter and is embarrassed he did not acknowledge receipt of Pycraft’s book. Since returning from a trip to London, Roosevelt has read Pycraft’s book multiple times and was very impressed. Roosevelt questions why, in his previous letter, Pycraft was concerned Roosevelt would have objections to his book. Roosevelt is frustrated by “pretentious shame,” because he believes that anyone, not just trained scientists, can make important discoveries if they are curious and observant. And there are many scientists who would benefit from listening to these discoveries, including Alfred Russel Wallace. Roosevelt considers Wallace a great scientist, but found the argument of his most recent book completely ridiculous. Roosevelt explains the flaws in Wallace’s arguments about antelopes and rabbits. Roosevelt wants to impress upon all naturalists that observation is more valuable than collection. Roosevelt considers Pycraft’s book to be an excellent example of the importance of observation. Roosevelt invites Pycraft to visit his home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
Theodore Roosevelt notes that he and John Burroughs have fought side by side against diverse kinds of “nature fakers.” Roosevelt sends Burroughs an article that he wrote partly in response to Abbott Thayer’s article in Popular Science Monthly. Roosevelt believes that Thayer may be more dangerous than William J. Long, because Thayer is so much more plausible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt is working on the article, but is not sure if Henry Fairfield Osborn would care to publish it. Roosevelt is not doing much research in other books, because he would like it to be based on what he has observed. Roosevelt also believes there have been facts on the cougar that have been overlooked.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt gives Edmund Heller his blessing to go on another hunting expedition to Africa with Paul James Rainey. He strongly wishes that Heller could publish a pamphlet on the giant eland before he goes because he is worried that another naturalist will end up being first to publish about it. However, he wishes Heller luck on the trip and asks him to send his regards to Rainey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-10
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
Theodore Roosevelt tells Frank M. Chapman that he guesses the trunks of specimens arrived in good order. He is also greatly pleased by Theodore D. A. Cockerell’s review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt is fascinated by Frederick Courteney Selous’s stories about his trip and articles about “concealing coloration.” He hopes that Selous is able to go to the Upper Nile.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-03
Author Abel Chapman expresses his honor and pride in reading Theodore Roosevelt’s article on his book in The Outlook. Chapman, now in his seventh decade, shares his intentions in writing his books and what he has planned next.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-10
Theodore Roosevelt has had Edgar Alexander Mearns detailed from the army and under the direction of Charles D. Walcott of the Smithsonian Institution. Larger animals on the expedition will be shot by Theodore or Kermit Roosevelt. Roosevelt is interested in adding reptiles and freshwater fish to the specimens collected. The curing and transportation of the specimens will be paid for by the Smithsonian.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-03
If J. Alden Loring wishes to join the expedition to Africa, President Roosevelt will inform Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. However, he advises Loring that no member of the expedition party will be able to write about the trip until after Roosevelt has published his own articles and book as per his agreement with Scribner’s. The big game hunting will also only be done by Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-02
Theodore Roosevelt asks for Edgar Alexander Mearns’ feedback on the propositions regarding Mearns work as naturalist and medical advisor on the Africa expedition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-29
President Roosevelt tells General Wood about the plans for his African safari, and asks if Wood might release Edgar Alexander Mearns to go. Mearns is an army surgeon who promised to accompany Wood wherever he was posted, but Mearns’s skill as a surgeon and a naturalist would be great additions to the expedition. Roosevelt thinks Wood will have a friend in Secretary of War Luke E. Wright.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-16
President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Reid details about his plans for his African safari. Roosevelt discusses the timing and route of his trip, as well as his plans for hunting and gathering scientific specimens for the United States National Museum. Roosevelt is “delighted beyond all measure” that Sir F. R. Wingate has opened the reserves under his command to Roosevelt’s expedition. He assures Reid that he will not take too many trophies or slaughter game without cause. Roosevelt asks Reid to pass along this information to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes in the hopes that he will open the reserves in British East Africa, Uganda, and Sudan, as well as to relieve the minds of other East African provincial officials about the nature of Roosevelt’s trip. Roosevelt would also like to visit Italy, France, and England on the way home from his safari, but does not want to place undue burden on the governments of those nations. He does not wish for official state functions, but to visit old friends with his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-20
President Roosevelt is glad that Frederick Courteney Selous is going to publish Julius Fleischmann’s observation of a crocodile attacking a rhinoceros. Roosevelt thanks Selous for the books he sent, and looks forward to the receipt of other publications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-04
President Roosevelt approves the use of a portion of a manuscript by George Shiras about wolves for publication in The Outing Magazine. Roosevelt reminds Caspar Whitney to use the excerpt as a repudiation of William J. Long’s writings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-16
President Roosevelt provides details about his experience as a hunter and a naturalist for Caspar Whitney, editor of The Outing Magazine, for his upcoming article on the nature fakers controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-04