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President Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Kermit Roosevelt was chosen as captain of the seventh but fears he will fall behind in his studies. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is back home now and has brought Aunt Emily. Today was Quentin’s birthday.
1903-11-19
President Roosevelt reports on the family animals and how he has been acting as “vice-mother” while Edith is gone for nine days. He has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin. Roosevelt expresses his disappointment at Seth Low’s recent defeat. William Loeb inquires as to whether Kermit is receiving the Saturday Commercial Advertiser.
1903-11-15
President Roosevelt sketches scenes from family life and describes them: Mother on a horse, the white rabbit, the dog chasing the white rabbit and Ethel chasing the dog, and a pillow fight between Roosevelt, Archie, Quentin and Ethel.
1903-10-27
President Roosevelt is pleased that Kermit Roosevelt has been made captain of the third string football team. Roosevelt relates a story of horseback riding with Edith and Ethel and a pillow fight with Archie and Quentin. He also read the boys Uncle Remus.
1903-10-19
President Roosevelt reports that he is having a touch of the “Cuban fever” and is glad to be in the house with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. He reports on the family pets and that Quentin is learning to ride a pony. Edith is going to take the three children to Doctor Rixey’s farm. Roosevelt says he is working hard on his address to Congress.
1903-10-24
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that he is glad Kermit is playing football, but does not want him or Ted to devote more time to sports than studies. Roosevelt is glad to be President but overwhelmed with work, and takes comfort in reading about Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt also relates news on family pets.
1903-10-02
President Roosevelt says the house feels empty without Kermit and Ted and reports on the activities of the rest of the family. C. Grant La Farge and Owen Wister are coming to visit.
1903-09-23
President Roosevelt is happy to hear Kermit’s crew team won. Roosevelt says he cannot wait for Kermit to come home to divide all the treasures from his western trip between the children, but Kermit’s share will be set aside. Josiah the badger is “very good natured.” Roosevelt had a good trip but is tired and homesick.
1903-06-05
President Roosevelt reports that he is struggling to get his two treaties ratified by the Senate and has stopped his broad-sword and single-stick play in favor of riding and walking. He hopes that Billings will allow Kermit and Ted to start home Saturday evening since Roosevelt is leaving for his western tour right after the Senate adjourns.
1903-03-15
President Roosevelt reports on the snowy weather and riding the horses through Rock Creek Park. Edith traveled to Philadelphia, so Roosevelt told stories to Archie and Quentin. He had his last sitting with John Singer Sargent and likes Sargent’s portrait.
1903-02-19
President Roosevelt talks of horseback riding with Edith, and how he has been reading to Archie and Quentin while she is sick. Roosevelt attended the Army and Navy reception where Chief Joseph and seven other Nez Perce Indians came in full war dress. John Singer Sargent is staying at the White House and painting Roosevelt’s picture.
1903-02-15
President Roosevelt reports on one of the dogs, Edith’s beautiful dresses and her Friday musicals, and pillow fights with Archie and Quentin. Roosevelt adds that Chartran has been painting his picture but he does not like it.
1903-02-01
President Roosevelt writes to his son, Kermit, that he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have been riding regularly and have had many visitors, including the Grant La Farges, Winty Chanlers, John Fox, Procter and William Dudley Foulke. He says Senator Hanna enjoys playing with the kitten and Ethel had a friend over. Roosevelt also complains about the pain in his arm and says that Kermit and Ted should go to Harvard.
1903-01-25
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit he was melancholy after Kermit and Ted went back to school. He reports on the antics of the cats and one incident that involved the next Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon. Roosevelt adds that he has his hands full with presidential work, and Ethel reluctantly returned to boarding school.
1903-01-08
President Roosevelt informs his son Kermit how the family spent Thanksgiving Day riding horses with the Lodges, Robert Ferguson, and General Wood, eating and dancing. He also talks about the family pets.
1902-11-28
President Roosevelt reports to his son Kermit how he spent Election Day at Sagamore Hill with family and all six dogs.
1902-11-06
President Roosevelt is happy to hear that his son Kermit is doing well at school at Groton. Roosevelt wants to know how football is going and informs Kermit that Edith Roosevelt will give the dog Gem to Uncle Will.
1902-10-13
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit at Groton School about having to wheel around in a chair while meeting with Cabinet members. Roosevelt also mentions Edith Roosevelt’s excitement about improvements to the White House and her new dog.
1902-10-05
President Roosevelt relates family news from Sagamore Hill, including updates on the pets, to his son Kermit at Groton. Roosevelt misses his two boys but is very proud of them. He also says he will leave soon for a three week trip that will be nerve-wearing.
1902-09-18
President Roosevelt gives Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge an update on his life and family. He laments the end of summer and tells Lodge how each member of the family has spent it, remarking upon how his children are growing up. Roosevelt has been vacationing during the summer months and now looks to his work ahead. He wants to ensure that his plans for the Navy and Panama Canal cannot be undone by his successor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-20