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Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to talk about the Progressive Party Convention and family members who are attending and helping with the campaign. He says there is little hope he will beat Governor Woodrow Wilson but hopes to do better than President William H. Taft and at least establish certain principles during the campaign.
1912-08-03
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to update him on plans for their trip to Africa and encloses letters from Frederick Selous, Edward Buxton, and Reginald Wingate. He talks of celebrating Ted’s birthday and spending time talking with him. He closes by saying Archie is back at school and Sagamore is being closed up for the season.
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to discuss a book of Augustine Birrell’s essays, which she sent him while she was away visiting their son, Kermit Roosevelt, at school. Roosevelt gives his wife updates on the other children and says he has continued to read A Legend of Montrose with them in her absence.
1906-03-15
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has her husband Theodore write a letter for her to their son Kermit because she is still too weak to hold a pen after having an operation. She says she loves Kermit’s letter and keeps it under her pillow. She adds that she knows he has been good with Mame and asks him to give his siblings, Ethel and Archie, a kiss for her.
1898-03-10
Governor Roosevelt writes to Kermit Roosevelt to describe a puppy he played with on the train. Roosevelt also asks how Archibald Roosevelt is doing at school.
1900-09-05
Governor Roosevelt writes to Kermit Roosevelt to discuss his Vice Presidential campaign trip, saying he is met at almost every town by boys dressed as Rough Riders. Roosevelt also says he is happy to hear Archibald Roosevelt is doing well in school and hopes he makes friends with the other boys.
1900-09-14
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that Eli the macaw does not like the carpenters working at the White House and had to be moved. There is a bull dog puppy where the family is now and he sees lots of young rabbits when he is out riding. Roosevelt says he took a walk with General Leonard Wood recently.
1902-06-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle to thank them for their Christmas present and describes the Christmas he spent with the children and grandchildren. Roosevelt encloses a letter from former Rough Rider Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt complains about a Thanksgiving address at Groton School by Guy Ayrault where he likened President Woodrow Wilson to Christ. Roosevelt closes by saying his horse rolled over on him but he suffered no injuries.
1915-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Archie’s experience with clubs at Harvard and his plans for the future. Roosevelt says his next two books, A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open and Fear God, and Take your own Part will be published in the spring. Roosevelt mentions house parties, dinners, and visiting the Davisons. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and believes the American people have been behind Wilson but are slowly waking up.
1916-01-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is not sure his letters are reaching him and he will have to stop writing now as he will soon leave for a five week trip to the West Indies. Roosevelt is working on the proofs for his book, Fear God, and Take your own Part and has had a lot of correspondence to attend to. Roosevelt says Quentin has the grippe, Archie has been accepted into the Pudding at Harvard, and Ted and Eleanor’s christening of their son Cornelius caused a disturbance in the family. He closes by commenting on how old he is and says he cannot wait for Kermit and Belle to return to New York once their baby is old enough.
1916-01-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he and Edith are about to leave on their trip to the West Indies, and he has sent Kermit a copy of his new book Fear God, Take your own Part. Roosevelt says the essays in it are the reason President Wilson finally began to speak out against Germany and for war preparedness. He also gives an update on Quentin.
1916-02-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes that he cannot wait until Kermit, Belle, and their new baby arrive in New York. He tells Kermit that Archie, Ted, and Quentin plan to go to the Plattsburg military training camp again this summer and he thinks Kermit should go too. Roosevelt fears that it will be difficult for Kermit to get a commission because he did not go last year. Roosevelt closes by describing his trip to the West Indies.
1916-02-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle about his trip to the West Indies with Edith, specifically about spending time with William Beebe and three other naturalists. Roosevelt gives updates on the family and says he and Edith smile every time they think of Kermit, Belle, and baby Kermit.
1916-03-04
Theodore Roosevelt reports on the achievements of Quentin, Archie, and Ted at the Plattsburgh military training camp, noting that they received good recommendations from their officers. To Roosevelt’s delight, Archie was placed in a position above Ted. Archie and Ted also traveled to Montreal, Quebec, to view the military preparations. The Plattsburgh camp has been very successful, and other camps are being formed across the country. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson for his policy toward Germany and Mexico.
1915-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his hunting trip north of Quebec, Canada, where he killed a caribou and two moose. He also details Archie’s disappointing hunting trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and his foreign policy toward Germany and Mexico and discusses the war in Europe. He also mentions that Ted is doing good business work, and Ted feels that Kermit has a real future with the bank.
1915-10-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a speech he gave entitled “Americanism” and rails against President Wilson and his foreign policy toward the World War and Mexico, unfavorably comparing Wilson to Thomas Jefferson. Roosevelt talks of how well Ted has done in business this year and discusses the army training camp at Plattsburgh, New York.
1915-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he will back him up in whatever decision he makes. He writes about Archie being elected into the Signet club at Harvard and Archie’s attitude toward college. Roosevelt makes reference to his writing for Metropolitan magazine and that he tells the American people what they need to hear even though they wish not to. He takes credit for President Wilson finally endorsing preparedness for war. Ethel had her appendix out, Ted’s wife Eleanor had a second boy, and Quentin wishes to be manager of the football team at Groton School.
1915-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle with updates on members of the family including Archie and his decisions regarding Harvard clubs. Roosevelt details his leisure time at Oyster Bay and says he will send a speech he made to the Knights of Columbus. Roosevelt says the public initially object to him and his opinions but then come around to his point of view. He criticizes President Wilson but says that Wilson has finally recognized that the country wants to be prepared for war.
1915-11-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie’s choice of Harvard Clubs and how Quentin is faring at Harvard. He also speaks of trouble in the Buenos Aires bank and a new bank venture he heard about. Roosevelt lists the recent visitors he has had and criticizes President Wilson. He add that the English were offended by a statement in Roosevelt’s last article for the Metropolitan.
1915-11-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Germany destroying American munitions plants and criticizes President Wilson’s response. He also remarks on the unhappy response of British Foreign Secretary Grey and other Englishmen to an allusion Roosevelt made to England in one of his articles. He says Archie does not have the right college attitude and that Edith is steadily growing stronger. Roosevelt also mentions some visitors he has had and whom he wishes to call on.
1915-11-26