Your TR Source
Overton W. Price sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of the book he wrote, The Land We Live In, to tell the story of conservation to boys. Price hopes Roosevelt will join several others in praising the book because a line from Roosevelt will be very effective in getting the book read and supporting the movement for the conservation of our natural resources.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
Vice President Roosevelt asks his sister to add Dr. Rainsford to the list of people for lunch.
1901-04-15
President Roosevelt requests the enclosed letter be given to R. J. Cunninghame, whom Frederick Courteney Selous has hired to manage his caravan in Africa. Cunninghame should be given anything he wants from Newland, Tarlton & Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
President Roosevelt thanks John Jay White for the letter and advice about his upcoming Africa trip. Reverend W. S. Rainsford wrote to him along similar lines. Roosevelt has directed R. J. Cunninghame to hire the necessary support staff, and he mentioned the names White suggested. He hopes to begin the hunting expedition very soon after arriving in Africa, and will travel during the rainy season if at all possible. He invites White to come see him in Washington on his return from Richmond.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-04
President Roosevelt tells his son, Kermit Roosevelt, that he has tried the double-barreled Holland elephant rifle and is very impressed. However, the rifle’s recoil is powerful and he wants Kermit to practice shooting it in Africa before they begin hunting. It will be the best weapon for large game. W. S. Rainsford has warned him that hunting lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos is particularly dangerous and they should “take every precaution.” Roosevelt takes this advice seriously.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
President Roosevelt requests that Newland, Tarlton & Company deliver the enclosed letter to his caravan manager, R. J. Cunninghame, who has instructions to buy supplies from them. Roosevelt will bring six rifles to supplement those that W. S. Rainsford left for him, and he has already sent two lots of ammunition ahead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
President Roosevelt places R. J. Cunninghame in charge of managing his safari caravan, and details his expectations for the trip. Roosevelt wants to begin hunting as quickly as possible after arriving in British East Africa and spending several weeks at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch to improve his physical fitness. Cunninghame should hire the necessary support staff and porters at his discretion. Roosevelt wants to hunt some of the “common game” near the railroad so that their skins can be easily transported, but he also hopes to kill big game and is willing to “go to any trouble” to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-31
President Roosevelt encloses a telegram from W. S. Rainsford, a New York sportsman staying with Frederick John Jackson, the lieutenant-governor of British East Africa. Roosevelt believes Rainsford’s view also represents how Jackson feels. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that it appears they were wise to hire R. J. Cunninghame as the guide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-19
President Roosevelt thanks Lieutenant-Governor Jackson for his letter and advice on which outfitters to use on his trip to Africa. Roosevelt outlines his initial travel plans, and encloses an itinerary from a German officer, on which he asks Jackson’s opinion. He discusses the many kinds of animals that he and his son Kermit Roosevelt would like to shoot, and assures Jackson that the majority of the trophies will be for the National Museum. Roosevelt asks advice on the types of formal clothes to bring to Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
President Roosevelt discusses with his son Kermit which cameras he should bring on their trip to Africa. He believes that Kermit should definitely bring a Kodak, and plan on taking a lot of pictures to be sure there are good ones to choose from. Roosevelt is pleased with Kermit’s plan to take two trips to Geneseo to hunt and ride. He also is happy about his son’s efforts in the two-mile run. For his birthday, Roosevelt intends to go riding without Edith and take his horse Roswell over many jumps. Roosevelt discusses the rifles that W. S. Rainsford has offered to loan he and Kermit in Africa. In a postscript, Roosevelt thanks his son for the birthday wishes, and tells him about his day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-27
President Roosevelt writes to Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge about Jane Addams’s book. He criticizes her stance against militarism. Roosevelt compares Addams to Leo Tolstoy in their similar actions in speaking out against war and industrialism, but being ultimately misguided in their argument that because there are hardships that result from these, they should be entirely abandoned, rather than acknowledging the positives and working to alleviate the negatives. It is just as bad, Roosevelt says, to preach unrighteous peace as to preach unrighteous war, and even more foolish.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-13
President Roosevelt’s Secretary William Loeb sends The Outlook’s European editor Elbert F. Baldwin a foreword for a book by W.S. Rainsford on behalf of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-11
Writing on behalf of Reverend W. S. Rainsford, John Jay White offers President Roosevelt advice about his upcoming safari. Both White and Rainsford disagree with Roosevelt’s plan to delay the hunting portion of his trip until after the rainy season. In White’s experience, May is the best time to hunt elephant and lion. White recommends several guides, and shares tips for making the safari more comfortable. He would happily talk in person soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-03
R. J. Cunninghame has recently returned from being on safari, and wishes to clarify a few points from his last letter to Frederick Courteney Selous now that he has the opportunity. Cunninghame discourages the hiring of Somali porters for President Roosevelt’s safari, as they will not be native to the country they are traveling through. While they are expert guides in their own country, bringing them on Roosevelt’s proposed route, Cunninghame says, will likely just result in increased expense for services that could be better done by other people. Additionally, Cunninghame believes strongly that Roosevelt should hire Leslie J. Tarlton as an additional safari guide. He suggests the importance of having another very competent person help manage the safari and be able to accompany Roosevelt or his son, Kermit Roosevelt, when they are out hunting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-25
Percy C. Madeira advises President Roosevelt on some of the clothing he thinks may be necessary for Roosevelt to bring along with him on his upcoming African safari. Madeira advises bringing a number of pairs of khaki pants with reinforced knees, and speaks on the advisability of having mosquito boots, as well as protection for hands and knees. He also suggests that in spite of the high temperatures, Roosevelt may wish to have a sweater or similar garment because of the wind and cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings. If Roosevelt has any questions, Madeira encourages him to write again, and mentions as well the name of George L. Harrison, who has been on several safaris and may be able to help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-17
Lieutenant Governor Frederick John Jackson, of British East Africa, gives President Roosevelt advice on his upcoming safari. He recommends V. M. Newland and Leslie J. Tarlton to outfit and supply Roosevelt, and after speaking with W. S. Rainsford, he recommends Roosevelt take a white man to run the caravan, such as Tarlton or R. J. Cunninghame. To hunt as many specimens as possible, Jackson maps out a route from Alfred E. Pease’s ranch in the Kapiti plains to William Northrup McMillan’s property in Doinya Sabuk, and then to the Vasin Gisha plateau. Jackson would be glad to receive Roosevelt in Nairobi upon arrival if the governor is unavailable. A list of game is included.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
Elbert F. Baldwin would like to discuss the foreword to a book about Reverend W. S. Rainsford with President Roosevelt. Baldwin feels that it does not adequately introduce the book. He requests that Roosevelt write a preface to the book.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-03
President Roosevelt speaks on the importance of the Christian church being “the church of the plain people,” and praises W. S. Rainsford for his work in helping make this a reality. Rainsford has had a long and fruitful career within the church, and Roosevelt regrets his retirement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-07
Elbert F. Baldwin encloses this German poem in a letter to President Roosevelt, asking him to write the preface for a book about the life and work of Reverend W. S. Rainsford of St. George’s Church of New York, New York. (President Roosevelt did write the preface and included this poem.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-03