Safari guides

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

In spite of Edward North Buxton’s assertion that it is a “fearful instance of effeminacy,” President Roosevelt has decided to follow the advice of Frederick Courteney Selous and hire a man to manage his caravan on his African safari. Roosevelt tells Sir Alfred E. Pease that he would like to hire R. J. Cunninghame or William Judd. Roosevelt explains that he would like to hire someone because he wants to devote his time to hunting and studying animals, and because it would make things easier for him. Roosevelt also discusses where he would like to hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton several questions regarding boots, firearms, staff, and finances for his upcoming African safari. Roosevelt mentions that he is worried that his son Kermit Roosevelt might become ill with fever during the trip. Roosevelt asks Buxton to let him know if Count Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein, is able to visit him in Oyster Bay so he can show him his trophies and discuss the hunting trips Hoyos has written about. Roosevelt encloses some letters and asks Buxton about the status of the writers. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt expresses his excitement to see Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-01

Telegram from R. J. Cunninghame to Theodore Roosevelt

R. J. Cunninghame informs President Roosevelt that Leslie J. Tarlton has accepted the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

Letter from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford knows that this is a busy time for President Roosevelt, and hopes that his letters do not seem “cocksure.” He advises Roosevelt to never send Kermit Roosevelt out hunting with only one gunbearer, because conditions can become dangerous very suddenly. Rainsford describes several life-threatening situations he faced in Africa, and offers advice on shooting techniques for both rifles and cameras. He would like to meet before Roosevelt’s departure, but his health will not permit this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-05

Letter from John Jay White to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-03

Letter from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford will leave his guns in Africa for President Roosevelt to use. Rainsford offers recommendations on what kinds of guns and ammunition to use on Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa, cautions Roosevelt on the use and care of telescopes for the rifles, and provides advice on hunting and travel around Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-27

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courtney Selous discusses concerns about President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa. Selous gives his opinions on the provisions, safari guides, equipment porters, and the hunting of big game animals. Selous includes a postscript informing Roosevelt that everything has been shipped and should arrive in Nairobi by early March.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-25

Letter from R. J. Cunninghame to Frederick Courteney Selous

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-25

Letter from Percy C. Madeira to Theodore Roosevelt

Percy C. Madeira encloses a letter from Frederick John Jackson detailing President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa. He feels that Roosevelt will have a very good trip. Madeira hopes that Jackson is wrong, and that Roosevelt has secured R. J. Cunninghame’s services. He also says that the .350 magazine Jackson writes about is a good one. He asks Roosevelt to return Jackson’s letter when he is done with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-23

Letter from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford offers President Roosevelt advice about his upcoming trip to Africa. In particular, he advises Roosevelt not to engage William C. Judd as a guide for his son Kermit. Rainsford had a bad experience with Judd as his guide. He also advises Roosevelt about good hunting rifles and the precautions to take in hot weather. He tells Roosevelt to follow the advice of Frederick John Jackson, lieutenant-governor of British East Africa. Item includes a handwritten letter and a typed transcription.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-19

Telegram from W. S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

W. S. Rainsford advises President Roosevelt not to engage William C. Judd. He is writing with more details.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-19

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton tells President Roosevelt that he need not say more about his decision regarding the use of an English head man for his safari, as Buxton was merely providing his opinion. He tells Roosevelt that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt might consider meeting him further upriver than Khartoum, so that she can travel further in luxury. Buxton discusses the arrangements he is making with different supplies, rifles, and shells. Frederick Courteney Selous will be seeing William Northrup McMillan soon and can discuss Roosevelt taking an English head man with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-26

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton assures President Roosevelt that he enjoys planning Roosevelt’s trip to Africa, and that there is no need to thank him. He discusses the supplies, including boots, that he is arranging for Roosevelt. Buxton has nothing more to say about Roosevelt’s decision to hire a white man to lead his trip, although he expresses his concerns about having too many white men in the party. He also suggests limiting the number of guns and shooters to two. He discusses which native guides Roosevelt should hire, and the merits of Roosevelt hiring them himself, rather than delegating it to his head man.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton discusses the merits of using Somali shikaris as gunbearers during President Roosevelt’s upcoming safari. He also writes about the advisability of carrying money on the trip and provides his knowledge of R. J. Cunninghame and William C. Judd, two white hunters who have been mentioned as potential guides. This item includes a typewritten transcript of the handwritten letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-07

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Edward North Buxton

Alfred E. Pease writes to Edward North Buxton that Frederick Courteney Selous suggests William C. Judd would be a good choice for President Roosevelt’s safari, and that the native headmen are “poor creatures.” Pease sends Roosevelt’s letter with instructions about the money. He has guests visiting and the weather is characteristically rainy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-21

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Theodore Roosevelt

Alfred E. Pease writes to President Roosevelt that he hopes the involvement of himself, Frederick Courteney Selous, and Edward North Buxton in making arrangements will not cause Roosevelt stress. Buxton seems to be advising against bringing William C. Judd along on Roosevelt’s travels, but the news Pease has heard makes him sound like he would be a fine choice. Pease responds to Roosevelt’s inquiries about locations, timing, species, and supplies for hunting on his Safari. Specifically, he warns him to dress in anticipation of mosquitoes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-13

Letter from William Northrup McMillan to Theodore Roosevelt

William Northrup McMillan introduces himself to President Roosevelt and invites him to stay with him at Juga Farm and his townhouse in Nairobi, Kenya, on Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. McMillan mentions that he is the nephew of Senator James McMillan and offers the names of two other men who can attest to his connections and African experience. Juga Farm is home to many species of game and is close to other hunting grounds, including rhino and elephants. McMillan also offers the services of his safari guides, who are excellent lion trackers. McMillan will soon depart Kenya for London and gives his contact information there. The first four pages of this record are handwritten, accompanied by a typewritten copy of two pages.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-12

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton provides President Roosevelt with extensive details and advice regarding his upcoming African safari, including: boots, rifle stocks, and rifle and sights Buxton is ordering; the logistical benefits of using Alfred E. Pease’s farm as a base from which to make smaller excursions; routes and timings for various side trips; the logistical benefits of two six-week excursions over one long three month excursion from Pease’s farm; the different types of country and where different types of game may be found; shipping and suppliers; opening a line of credit with Smith, Mackenzie & Co Ltd to purchase necessities in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-09

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous visited the offices of Lawn & Alder after receiving President Roosevelt’s last letter, and reports on the details of the visit, as well as other preparations for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. Selous gives details and advice on several topics, including: types of preserved food to bring; tents; the hiring and pay of “native” porters; medical supplies and health concerns; sun protection; climate; where to store gear during expeditions; and shipping. Selous advises Roosevelt to allow Lawn & Alder to take care of every detail, so that the trip is more of a holiday for him than a chore, and recommends William C. Judd as a manager for the “native” guides and porters. Finally, Selous reports that Edward North Buxton is seeing Lord Crewe about any other assistance Roosevelt might need.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton sends an extract from a report by J. H. Patterson to President Roosevelt, noting that Patterson is ill and unlikely to return to British East Africa. Buxton asks Roosevelt what type of rifle sight he favors, offering advice on the type of sight that could be used on Roosevelt’s African safari. Buxton will see Alfred E. Pease soon and will discuss more details of the trip with him. Buxton lists several books that might interest Roosevelt in preparation for his trip. Buxton has tested a stool and includes a sketch of one of its uses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08