Safaris

Letter from George S. Mackenzie to G. C. Napier

George S. Mackenzie encloses a letter which Harry Johnston has written from Washington. Mackenzie understands that the Boma Trading Company is doing the outfitting for President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa, and does not want to interfere. He thinks it is better if G. C. Napier and the Boma Trading Company deal with Roosevelt directly regarding the horses he wants from India. Mackenzie asks Napier to advise Roosevelt about Boma’s receipt of the letter and to explain why and whether they will be the ones undertaking the business.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-20

Letter from Leslie Simson to Theodore Roosevelt

Leslie Simson, Superintending Engineer of the Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa, has experience hunting big game in Africa, and offers President Roosevelt advice on the merits of various rifles. He also suggests other gear and supplies that Roosevelt should bring on his trip to British East Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-31

Letter from Edmund Heller to Theodore Roosevelt

Edmund Heller is happy to be asked to accompany President Roosevelt on his trip to Africa. Roosevelt’s route will allow the party to first collect the more common game, with the opportunity for discoveries coming later when they travel through Uganda and on the Nile. Heller’s past experience on in Africa was with Carl Ethan Akeley’s Field Museum expedition, where he was in charge of salting the skins of the game. He was not involved in outfitting the expedition. Heller regrets that he cannot immediately be of help to Roosevelt in the planning and organization of the trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-31

General information about hunting expeditions in the German territory of Victoria Nyanza

Lieutenant Walther Von Wiese und Kaiserswaldau of the Imperial Colonial Military in German East Africa details the best areas for hunting in the Victoria Nyanza, with a map appended. He outlines potential trips with supplies, routes, and bureaucratic details, with corresponding routes drawn on the map.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10

Letter from James J. Harrison to Frederick Courteney Selous

James J. Harrison offers Frederick Courteney Selous planning advice for President Roosevelt’s forthcoming African expedition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-01

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous informs President Roosevelt that he has secured R. J. Cunninghame as head man for Roosevelt’s safari. He has spoken to several men connected to East Africa, who all agree that Cunninghame is the right man for the job. Sir William Northrup McMillan has advised Selous about the provisions and supplies Roosevelt will need, and where he will be able to restock if necessary. Selous also discusses people like Lieutenant Governor Frederick John Jackson, who will help Roosevelt on his trip, and places where Roosevelt will have good hunting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-28

Letter from J. H. Patterson to Theodore Roosevelt

J. H. Patterson’s doctor has informed him that he is not strong enough to travel yet, but he hopes to be able to see President Roosevelt in Washington in the spring. Patterson tells Roosevelt about a doctor who has been in Africa for eleven years and would like to accompany him on his safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Theodore Roosevelt

Alfred E. Pease informs President Roosevelt about what it would cost Captain George Hutton Riddell to supply his party in Nairobi. He also hopes that Roosevelt will not allow his having committed to stay with him prevent him from staying with William Northrup McMillan, who Pease believes has better resources at his disposal. Pease assures Roosevelt that if he does stay with him, he will provide him with good hunting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-24

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 W.S. Rainsford to Theodore Roosevelt

Reverend Rainsford assures President Roosevelt that Lieutenant-Governor of the East African Protectorate Frederick John Jackson will be an excellent source of information during Roosevelt’s safari. Rainsford advises Roosevelt on rifle types and hunting guides, and offers to be of service if Roosevelt needs assistance with additional supplies. Includes both handwritten and typed copies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

Alfred E. Pease is forwarding President Roosevelt’s letter regarding the money to Edward North Buxton. Pease hears good things about William C. Judd and thinks he would be a fine man to take on the Safari trip, even if Buxton is negative about a white “head man.” Pease can prepare the mules when Roosevelt arrives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-20

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton is glad that President Roosevelt agrees on the subject of hunting in the reserves. There is tension locally over support and opposition to the reserves, but Roosevelt will not miss out on any game by avoiding them. Buxton asks for clarification on the recent check, which he sent to Nairobi. Buxton agrees, with Roosevelt that Kermit Roosevelt should not shoot at dangerous game until he has a little more experience, but is sure that Kermit’s nerve will stiffen up with experience. He comments that Roosevelt’s son Ted Roosevelt, will also be going through a similar process of growth at home, but in a different way. Buxton suggests speaking to Colonel J. H. Patterson or Lieutenant-Governor Frederick John Jackson, and sends Alfred E. Pease’s last letter mentioning William C. Judd. If it is solidly made, Buxton thinks Roosevelt’s 18 bore gun will suffice, and he offers his continued assistance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-22

Letter from Frederick John Jackson to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Letter from William Northrup McMillan to Theodore Roosevelt

William Northrup McMillan had written a letter upon hearing that President Roosevelt would be in British East Africa, but the publications from St. Louis purporting to have information from McMillan about Roosevelt’s travels were not legitimate and he has reached out to The New York Herald to rectify the situation. If it is convenient, McMillan hopes Roosevelt will visit and utilize any of his staff. McMillan details the locations one can likely find various types of game and clarifies his upcoming travel plans so that Roosevelt can reach him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-29

Letter from Edgar Huidekoper Wells to Theodore Roosevelt

Edgar Huidekoper Wells updates President Roosevelt on Kermit Roosevelt’s course schedule and explains that splitting up the Greek course over two years would need to be approved by the administrative board. Wells thinks Roosevelt might like to know that Theodore Lyman had a successful hunting trip in British East Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-05

Letter from Edward Buxton North to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton continues to help President Roosevelt gather equipment and supplies for his Africa trip. Buxton will make more inquiries into mosquito boots, and requests Roosevelt send measurements for himself and Kermit Roosevelt. The sample boots from Flack and Smith are ready, and Buxton suggests a good pair of socks to aid in absorbing perspiration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-25

Letter from Thomas Spencer Jerome to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting on the suggestion of his friend, Charles Lang Freer, Thomas Spencer Jerome contacts President Roosevelt about meeting again upon his return to America. Jerome would like to revisit their previous discussion “as to the nature of the human game in general.” However, he understands if Roosevelt does not have time to spare. If Roosevelt passes through Naples on his Africa trip, Jerome would gladly receive him at his villa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-28

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid’s acquaintance Cyril A. Ward went hunting in Africa two years ago. Reid will send President Roosevelt a copy of the book documenting the trip. Ward directs that African Game Ranger Blaney Percival is a useful contact and will give Reid a copy of his supply list. Reid discusses the controversy over King Edward VII’s recent interviews with sovereigns and prime ministers conducted without proper governmental supervision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31

Letter from F. R. Wingate to Theodore Roosevelt

British Governor-General of the Sudan Wingate excitedly welcomes President Roosevelt to visit Sudan and promises to do all he can to make the trip successful. “Fully understand[ing] the scope and object of your expedition,” Wingate will allow Roosevelt’s party to hunt in wildlife preserves. He lists locations where Roosevelt can find different game animals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-31

Letter from George Nathaniel Curzon to Theodore Roosevelt

George Nathaniel Curzon, Chancellor of Oxford, rejoices that President Roosevelt agreed to present the Romanes lecture. Roosevelt can expect a reception “as no other living man has met.” Although the issue of wildlife reserves is complex, Curzon knows Roosevelt will enjoy his African safari. He sends his sympathies for the death of Ambassador Herman Speck von Sternburg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-01