Patterson, J. H. (John Henry), 1867-1947

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous thanks President Roosevelt for the generosity of writing a foreword for his new book, African Nature Notes and Reminiscences, especially considering Roosevelt’s other important duties. Selous wishes he could get J. H. Patterson to contribute a chapter about his experiences with the man-eating lions of Tsavo, but Patterson has just written his own book on the topic. Selous discusses his dealings with the publishing industry and his recent works, A Hunter’s Wanderings in Africa and Recent Hunting Trips in British North America. Selous has had to cancel his hunting trips this year due to losses in many of his investments. Recently Selous was in Turkey, but had to leave because it was unsafe. Selous thanks Roosevelt for the photographs of him on his horse Roswell, noting that “he must be a splendid animal to carry a man of your weight over a brush hurdle.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit regarding arrangements for their hunting trip to Africa. He talked with Carl Ethan Akeley and Colonel J. H. Patterson on the matter. He also mentions the Harvard-Yale football game, Kaiser Wilhelm II angering the German people, and finishing two speeches.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-11-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Goethals

Letter of introduction for Colonel J. H. Patterson of the British Army. Patterson distinguished himself in South Africa and wrote “the very best book on lion hunting.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

Letter of introduction for Colonel J. H. Patterson of the British Army. Patterson distinguished himself in South Africa and wrote “the very best book on lion hunting.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Abbott Handerson Thayer

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Abbott Handerson Thayer’s experiments while in New York City during the first week of December. However, he wishes Thayer would view his experiments from the practical standpoint that depending on the weather to prove them is contrary to what animals do. Additionally, animal coloration and concealment theories cannot go against established behavior patterns. Roosevelt elaborates on these and other points in his pamphlet. Thayer is welcome to visit Roosevelt at Oyster Bay. Record contains two copies of the letter, the final one and the original with edits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to C. H. Stigand

Theodore Roosevelt sends C. H. Stigand a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals. He hopes Stigand enjoyed his trip with Frederick Courteney Selous and that the latter got good specimens of the giant eland. He discusses the differences between the ordinary eland and the giant eland and contemplates the coloration of Mrs. Gray’s waterbuck. Roosevelt makes “a special plea” to Stigand, asking him to write another book that includes his personal experiences, such as the time a lion mauled him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-15

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 Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt encloses several proposed itineraries for his upcoming African safari. He thinks it wise to wait to decide on an exact plan until he arrives in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

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 John Jackson

President Roosevelt provides Frederick John Jackson, lieutenant-governor of British East Africa, with details about the plans for his upcoming African safari. He will be hunting with his son Kermit, and bringing along field naturalists and taxidermists to collect samples for the National Museum. He asks Jackson’s advice on several proposed itineraries, including one from J. H. Patterson. Roosevelt also asks advice on the sort of formal wear he should bring for occasions when he may have to visit “civilization.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

After thinking it over, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his safari. Roosevelt is going on holiday and wants to devote his time and attention to hunting and natural history, rather than managing the party. Selous has recommended William C. Judd. He agrees with Buxton’s idea about taking several shorter hunting trips, and discusses where he would like to go.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt discusses whether to employ locals or Englishmen as safari guides on his upcoming trip. He has started engaging shikaris, and notes that he would rather not employ white guides unless absolutely necessary. Roosevelt has amended the list of supplies that Frederick Courteney Selous suggested he bring, cutting down on alcohol and luxuries. He discuses the itinerary and logistics of the trip, particularly in relation to ensuring that he is able to shoot good specimens for the Smithsonian Institute, which can easily be transported.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt hopes that Frederick Courteney Selous received the shoe he sent. He discusses various supplies he thinks he should bring on his upcoming safari, based on a book by J. H. Patterson and advice he got from Gerrit Forbes, who recently returned from hunting in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt discusses which gun sights he prefers with Edward North Buxton. He also confirms the dates when he expects to arrive in Africa. Citing concern about his being “an exceedingly soft individual,” Roosevelt intends to “break in” his body at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch before the main hunt. He recently spoke to Gerrit Forbes about the hunting trip in Africa that he just returned from.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

President Roosevelt informs Alfred E. Pease that he expects to be in Mombasa around April 22 and 23, and would like to accept the invitation to hunt on his ranch during the rainy season. Roosevelt is out of shape and hopes to become more fit at Pease’s ranch. He asks for advice about how much money to send for horses and supplies, which saddle to get, and which guns will be the best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that his son Kermit wants the same shoes that Buxton ordered for him. He also asks Buxton to forward an enclosed unsealed letter to Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt discusses travel plans for his upcoming safari. He is debating whether to start at Pease’s ranch, or to take a trip into the desert. Although he appreciates Buxton’s suggestions, he believes he will not go to Uganda.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-28