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President Roosevelt tells Carl Ethan Akeley that he is thinking of hiring an Englishman named Judd to manage his caravan for the African safari, but that if he does not, he may hire R. J. Cunninghame. He asks for Akeley’s opinion of Cunninghame.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-06
President Roosevelt thanks Armar D. Saunderson for his assistance. Roosevelt has asked William Northrup McMillan and others to help arrange the caravan, but he will ask Manuel A. Da Silva for assistance in accompanying Kermit Roosevelt around the big game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-05
President Roosevelt sends Edward North Buxton a copy of a letter from William Northrup McMillan. Roosevelt hopes to visit McMillan’s farm, but has asked that he contact Buxton when making arrangements. Roosevelt discusses potential guides for the Safari, and Alfred E. Pease has strongly suggested William C. Judd. For the hunting boots, Roosevelt does not want to bother Sirdar F. R. Wingate, and he has asked Frederick Courteney Selous to add them to the supplies. Until the presidential campaign is over, Roosevelt’s attention is on helping to elect William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt thanks Frederick Courteney Selous for the recent letter containing travel suggestions and details changes he has made in light of it. He compares his own past adventures and future safari to Selous’s travels. Roosevelt responds to Selous’s comments on potential safari guides, and asks if Selous will confer with Edward North Buxton on the topic and send back his suggestions. In a postscript, he asks for Selous’s opinion on taking William C. Judd with him, specifically as a caravan manager and guide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt thanks Edward North Buxton for the information on the game reserves and says he will plan to avoid going into them. He still hopes to be able to take one or two species from outside the reserves, which might otherwise be protected, for the museum. Roosevelt discusses the matter of taking a white man with him on his safari, with a quotation from Frederick Courteney Selous’s recent letter on the topic, and clarifies the role he hopes a guide will play in managing the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton for clarification about hunting guns and safari guides. Roosevelt would likely avoid hunting in the reserves, as the idea bothers him, and he would also like to avoid all press coverage and fanfare while out on Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He enjoys hearing of Edward North Buxton and Emily Digby Buxton’s life together, and writes that he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have spent time over the summer taking rides and going out on the water, while Ted Roosevelt gets ready to go into business. In a postscript, Roosevelt writes that he would like to avoid the reserves completely, but wonders if it would be possible to hunt one or two potentially restricted specimens outside the reserve, for the National Museum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-10
Although initially reluctant, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he will hire a white hunter as advised by Frederick Courteney Selous. He agrees with Buxton about taking shorter trips, but he does want to go where J. H. Patterson went and see “scores” of diverse game. Roosevelt inquires if three months is enough time for the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
President Roosevelt thanks Alfred E. Pease for helping him prepare for his Africa trip. He will follow through with Pease’s suggestions. Regardless of the sizable game, Roosevelt does not want to visit the Congo Free State for fear of controversy. A lion is Roosevelt’s primary goal. Per Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice, Roosevelt will hire “a white man who knows the country.” William C. Judd has been recommended several times. Selous will order all of the equipment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
The secretary of Theodore Roosevelt tells Ora R. Evans that Roosevelt’s book was published by Charles Scribners’ Sons, and is titled “African Game Trails.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-06
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt discusses whether to employ locals or Englishmen as safari guides on his upcoming trip. He has started engaging shikaris, and notes that he would rather not employ white guides unless absolutely necessary. Roosevelt has amended the list of supplies that Frederick Courteney Selous suggested he bring, cutting down on alcohol and luxuries. He discuses the itinerary and logistics of the trip, particularly in relation to ensuring that he is able to shoot good specimens for the Smithsonian Institute, which can easily be transported.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
President Roosevelt updates Alfred E. Pease on his thoughts about various supplies that he needs for his upcoming safari. He explains that he only wants to hunt in British East Africa and Nyanza, and then travel from Gondokoro to Khartoum. The animal he wants to get the most is a lion. He has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan so that he is free to enjoy his trip. He intends to hire William C. Judd unless Pease objects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt is happy to have Lawn & Alder outfit his entire safari and send the supplies to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He is particularly glad to hear that they can get certain provisions that he wanted, such as Boston baked beans. After much thought, he agrees with Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he should hire a white man to manage the caravan, and will take Selous’s suggestion of William C. Judd.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
After thinking it over, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his safari. Roosevelt is going on holiday and wants to devote his time and attention to hunting and natural history, rather than managing the party. Selous has recommended William C. Judd. He agrees with Buxton’s idea about taking several shorter hunting trips, and discusses where he would like to go.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
President Roosevelt questions Edward North Buxton about whether or not he should bring a gun for close-range shooting. He clarifies his decision to hire an Englishman to manage his caravan, and his choice of hunting guides for himself and his son Kermit. He hopes that he will be able to get permission to visit game reserves in British East Africa to shoot specimens for the National Museum, but he does not want special privileges that would not be extended to others. He plans to start his hunt at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, and wants to know if it will be possible to keep the press away. He notes that his son Ted will be starting his new job while he and Kermit are hunting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-10
Now that President Roosevelt understands the situation regarding the reserves in Africa, he tells Edward North Buxton that he does not intend to go into them unless other public officers are allowed. He does wonder if he would be allowed to shoot certain protected specimens for the National Museum. He discusses the timeline of his trip through British East Africa and up the Nile. Finally, Roosevelt further ponders Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he hire a white man like William C. Judd to manage his caravan while he hunts. He asks Buxton to speak with Selous about it and then provide his thoughts on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt discusses the provisions, particularly alcohol and other drinks, that he intends to bring for his upcoming safari. Noting that Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton disagree on whether or not Roosevelt should hire a white man to manage his caravan, Roosevelt asks for Selous’s opinion. Roosevelt is considering hiring William C. Judd for the job. If he does hire Judd, Roosevelt wants it to be made clear that he will not be doing any hunting and will only be managing the caravan and serving as guide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he intends to visit Sir William Northrup McMillan’s farm in Africa, but will first visit and stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. Gerrit Forbes, a young Harvard man who just returned from a hunting trip in Africa, would like to go with Roosevelt to help manage his caravan. However, Roosevelt believes he will go with the more experienced William C. Judd. Pease suggested that F. R. Wingate could provide Roosevelt with leather stockings. Roosevelt must now turn most of his attention to helping William H. Taft win the presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt tells Alfred E. Pease that he intends to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan on his upcoming safari. Edward North Buxton disagrees with this decision, but Roosevelt feels that this will allow him more time to study the habits of animals and enjoy his holiday. The guide can arrange for the rest of the party, with taxidermists and naturalists, to camp nearby when Roosevelt and his son Kermit stay at Pease’s ranch. Roosevelt also might like to travel into German or Belgian territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12