Pease, Alfred E. (Alfred Edward), Sir, 1857-1939

In the “Book Notes” column, John A. Gable reviews Bully: An Adventure With Teddy Roosevelt which consists of the script of the play of the same name, complemented by eight pages of photographs. Gable quotes from a review of the play and from Theodore Roosevelt IV’s introduction to the book. Gable, as he did in the case of the play and film adaptation, praises the book and author Jerome Alden because he “does not tailor T.R. to fit current social or ideological fashions.”

Marvin R. Morrison reviews The End of the Game: The Last Word from Paradise which deals with the plight of the African elephant. Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting and his African safari of 1909 figure in the book and review. Morrison quotes Roosevelt, lists some of his fellow hunters, and argues that hunters are conservationists.  

Frederick Courteney Selous assures President Roosevelt that, in spite of the advice he has heard from Hubert Silberrad and Mr. Buchon, R. J. Cunninghame and William Northrup McMillan will be able to provide him with very good Somali hunters, trackers, and gunbearers for the trip. Buchon and Silberrad had suggested that Roosevelt should use natives who are familiar with the area, but Selous believes that the native tribes in British East Africa are not good hunters and trackers. Selous also suggests storing Roosevelt’s provisions and camp gear in Nairobi while he and Kermit are staying at Alfred Pease’s ranch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-03

Theodore Roosevelt would like a .22 rifle with a peep sight and 1,000 cartridges charged to his account, and sent to Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt has done well with the .405 against lions, giraffes, and other game. Includes handwritten original and typed copy.

Collection

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Creation Date

1909-05-12

Theodore Roosevelt would like a .22 automatic repeating rifle and 1000 cartridges charged to his account and sent to Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt has done well with the .405 on safari in Africa.

Collection

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Creation Date

1909-05-12

A postcard featuring an illustration of President Roosevelt and others standing near a train at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch in Africa near Kapiti. Pease was Roosevelt’s “first host in Africa” and a lot of game hunting occurred on Pease’s property. The message written on the postcard is addressed to Evelyn Taylor from “Aunt Hazel.”

Collection

Fritz R. Gordner Collection

Creation Date

1909-06-19

Theodore Roosevelt writes Anna Roosevelt Cowles to update her on the success of his hunt. He and Kermit Roosevelt are very comfortable and enjoying themselves completely. They are finding Africa to be extremely agreeable.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-05-19

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit from his Western speaking trip to say how much the family are enjoying themselves, though he cannot stand all the speaking and this is the last speaking trip he will take. He encloses letters from safari agency owner Leslie J. Tarlton and Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt is concerned at how sick Tarlton and his partner V. M. Newland were and he wants Kermit to write to Tarlton.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-04-01

President Roosevelt forwards to his son Kermit a letter from Harvard Dean Byron Hurlbut, and he wants Kermit to visit Hurlbut. Ted has an interview with Robert Perkins regarding working at his carpet works. Major Austin Wadsworth is visiting. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Alfred E. Pease regarding the Africa trip.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-09-05

Edward North Buxton gives President Roosevelt advice about his upcoming safari, including where he should go and what he should bring. Buxton encourages Roosevelt to pay close attention to the time tables of T. Broadwood Johnson, a missionary in Uganda, as well as follow the advice of Johnson and Alfred E. Pease, who are familiar with the area.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07

Theodore Roosevelt sends an enclosure to Earl Grey. He expresses his sympathy for the Earl’s cousin Edward Grey, Viscount of Fallodon, who was childless and lost his wife in a “really dreadful accident” and his brother.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-02

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-25

President Roosevelt gives R. J. Cunninghame permission to manage the caravan for his upcoming safari in whatever way he sees fit. However, he warns Cunninghame that he intends to do all of his own shooting, and does not want anyone to kill his game for him. Roosevelt discusses the animals he would like to shoot and some potential scheduling for the trip, but does not want to decide on details until he arrives in Mombasa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

President Roosevelt officially engages R. J. Cunninghame to lead the caravan on his upcoming safari. He gives Cunninghame the freedom to hire whomever he wishes, and to make whatever choices he thinks best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

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

President Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous was able to hire R. J. Cunninghame to manage his upcoming safari. He agrees with Selous about how to engage Shikari guides, and thinks it wise to ship most of his supplies to Nairobi and leave logistics to Cunninghame’s judgment. Roosevelt tells Selous that he likely will not go straight to Nairobi when he arrives in Africa, as he wants to avoid press and public attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for speaking to Lord Crewe. He accepts a special license for shooting and entering game reserves in Africa, which he will only use if it is unclear that he is on land belonging to a reserve. Roosevelt outlines his plans for procuring supplies for his safari. He makes passing references to the situation in the Balkans, and his thoughts on women’s suffrage. He is amused by a cartoon and article that Reid sent, and shares his feelings about caricatures. The one by Thomas Nast as “an absolute outrage.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-17

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

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

President Roosevelt has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his African safari, despite objections from Edward North Buxton. Roosevelt asks Selous to hire either R. J. Cunninghame or William C. Judd for the job if they are available. He provides a list of provisions that he would like to bring on the trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

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