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President Roosevelt thanks Charles Sprague Smith for sending his book Barbizon Days. Sprague is more fit for Africa as Roosevelt “could not run five miles before breakfast to save my neck.” Roosevelt has publicly stated his belief that Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he has never used a peep sight for hunting, and describes the type of rifle sights he likes best, including a hand-drawn sketch. Roosevelt relays some details about the timing of travel for his upcoming African safari, saying he is pleased to be able to start the hard physical part of the trip by degrees at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. The president hopes to stop over in England on the return trip to see Buxton, Frederick Courteney Selous, and other friends. Roosevelt has ordered the books Buxton recommended, and thanks him for sending an interesting extract from a report by J. H. Patterson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt is unable to take any trip because of his physical condition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-19
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Johann Waldemar de Rehling Quistgaard for this courtesy and apologizes for not being able to see his portrait due to his physical limitations and his limited trips to New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-04
President Roosevelt also wishes that Captain McCoy could have joined him on the ride to Warrenton. It would not have been tiring for McCoy, as it was for Roosevelt and his current military aide, Captain Archibald Willingham Butt. Roosevelt has written to the War College about McCoy’s suggestion. He misses working with McCoy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt reiterates that R. J. Cunninghame has full authority over the caravan management for his safari. Roosevelt has already cabled about hiring Leslie J. Tarlton, but wonders if Tarlton could initially be hired for only the first part of the trip. Roosevelt knows himself to be an inexpert marksman, but he does not want others to kill the game for him. After updating Cunninghame on the permissions he recently received from the Belgian government, Roosevelt outlines his hunting goals and tentative schedule for his first few weeks in Africa. He encloses a paraphrased letter he just received from a “Boer sympathizer” who has made a potentially advantageous offer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt recounts the over ninety-eight mile horseback ride to and from the Warrenton, Virginia, that he took with Captain Butt on January 13. Roosevelt reviews the cities they passed through and the tough travel conditions they endured. The fact that he, Butt, and the rest of the party returned “in fine condition” has convinced Roosevelt that his new physical fitness requirements for the army and navy are not excessive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-15
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit Roosevelt on recent happenings as he concludes his presidency. Irritated by the negative reaction to his “moderate” physical exercise order, Roosevelt recounts his recent, one-day ninety mile ride out to Warrenton, Virginia, which he hoped “would put a stop to any grumbling.” He also discusses the state of his relationship with Congress, which has soured as he nears the end of his term. Roosevelt does not expect to pass any legislation this winter, and, as such, feels that Congress cannot do him much harm. To conclude, Roosevelt fondly reflects on his presidency, noting that he and his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, have enjoyed the White House “more than any President and his wife,” but are content and willing to leave it for a life of happiness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-14
After receiving the message from the YMCA boys who ran from New York to Washington, D.C., President Roosevelt gives Richard Cary Morse a message that he can use at any time. He reflects on the importance of exercise and physical fitness in the “after life” of the boys who delivered the message. Although “hardy and vigorous bodies” are important, it is important that the bodies be servants as the boys do “the work of the world.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-23
President Roosevelt sends a message about physical fitness, determination, and good sportsmanship to the children of Washington, D.C., in promotion of the public playgrounds made possible by Dr. Henry S. Curtis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-06
President Roosevelt was appalled by the physical fitness and horsemanship of some United States field officers, so he directs Secretary of War Taft to have United States Army candidates for promotion to field officer tested for “skill and endurance in riding.” He also wants an annual or biannual horsemanship test of all field officers and details the specifics of the test. Field officers who are the subject of General Orders No. 44 must “participate in all practice marches, encampments and field exercises.” Roosevelt believes that the officers of the Inspector General’s Department should report on the physical fitness of field officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-13
In a letter to General Bell, President Roosevelt communicates the need to get rid of “worthless” cavalry field officers and infantry field officers currently in the United States Army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-20
President Roosevelt confides in Cecil Andrew Lyon that he is “soft,” and unfamiliar with the terrain of their upcoming hunt, and is concerned it will poorly affect the outcome. Roosevelt thinks it would be better to have a successful hunt of peccaries than an unsuccessful bear hunt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-23
President Roosevelt praises Missouri Senator Cockrell as a public servant and offers him a position on either the Isthmian Canal Commission or the Interstate Commerce Commission. The president asks Cockrell to judge his physical abilities as to whether or not he can take the Isthmian Canal Commission position, and, if he cannot, Cockrell is welcome to a position on the Interstate Commerce Commission. In either case, Roosevelt asks Cockrell when he wants to start.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-16
Consul Mitchell notes that the post at Apia, Samoa, is not included in the bill currently before Congress regarding reorganizing the consular service. Personal reasons aside, he discusses why he believes this decision is unwise. He includes photographs of the takins he has presented to various museums. After turning fifty years old, Mitchell finds it important to exercise, especially in tropical climates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-31
Alfred E. Pease tells President Roosevelt it is a pleasure and an honor to help him with his trip to British East Africa and includes details and recommendations on several topics, including: depositing money into the National Bank of India in Nairobi to purchase horses and saddles; the best binoculars and telescopes; location and types of game; camping equipment, including baths and candles; and how to avoid mosquitoes. Pease assures Roosevelt he need not worry about being out of shape.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-11
President Roosevelt speaks on the value of exercise and athleticism, saying that it is “an aid to vigor of mind, and above all, to vigor of character,” but that it should not become an end unto itself. He reflects that he believes himself to be average in the areas of hunting, riding, and general exercise, but makes the point that he nevertheless chooses to do them. Roosevelt highlights that many other people could choose to do similar activities, but do not always do so, and says that making the choice to go out and do these sorts of ordinary activities “is the ordinary kind of success or kind of greatness” that anyone can achieve.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-01
Governor Roosevelt states that upon his return to Sagamore Hill he will promptly send his book on Oliver Cromwell to General Johnson and he suggests that the General read one of his favorite books, Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War by G. F. R. Henderson. Roosevelt regrets that due to his busy schedule he will not be able to visit the General until after he takes the office of the Vice President, but before doing so he hopes to visit Colorado for a hunting trip.
1900-12-04