Safaris

Letter from Ezra H. Fitch to William Loeb

Ezra H. Fitch of Abercrombie and Fitch has sent copies of his sporting goods catalog to William Loeb and President Roosevelt. Fitch gives advice and suggestions for preventing insect bites for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. He suggests contacting Richard Tjader and William T. Hornaday for authoritative knowledge and practical experience in African hunting and exploration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-22

Letter from Bernard Goldsmith to Theodore Roosevelt

Bernard Goldsmith urges President Roosevelt to consider visiting Ethiopia during his upcoming safari, and an invitation from Melenik II, Negus (Emperor) of Ethiopia, is coming. Goldsmith explains that his connection to the Emperor is through his friend Baron von Falkenegg, who has a substantial mineral concession in Ethiopia, and the Emperor wants the concession to be financed and controlled in America. Goldsmith discusses some reading he will be helpful for Roosevelt in planning his safari. In a post-script, Goldsmith mentions that an American diplomatic presence is lacking in Ethiopia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-22

Letter from Francis Reginald Wingate to Lewis Morris Iddings

Francis Reginald Wingate tells Lewis Morris Iddings that he and all British residents of Sudan look forward to President Roosevelt’s trip to Africa. Wingate discusses the plans he is making to host Roosevelt, including having a steam ship at his disposal at Gondokoro, and gaining the “necessary permissions to shoot whatever game he wishes.” Wingate has also spoken to Whitelaw Reid about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-22

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton sends information about Uganda and other matters relating to President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. Buxton has been to Lawn & Alder about boots and recommends Roosevelt let him get a trial pair “with proper rubber soles” for him. Buxton has found a second hand “bullet gun” for Roosevelt and asks for measurements for altering the stock.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-24

Letter from Percy C. Madeira to Theodore Roosevelt

Percy C. Madeira sends detailed notes about the people President Roosevelt should contact regarding his upcoming African Safari, and includes details on equipment, personnel, and the best routes to take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-24

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge returns some letters from Prescott F. Hall to President Roosevelt and reports on his findings regarding Hall’s allegations. Lodge’s Commision on Immigration found that appeal reversals did not increase under Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus. Lodge has found no proof that Leslie M. Shaw’s personal views have affected governmental operations. Lodge has visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and can find no evidence of what Hall alleges. Lodge found evidence of immigration enforcement corruption in California, but believes it has been remedied. In Chicago, Lodge found evidence of police corruption in enforcing laws against prostitution. In the southern states, Lodge has found problems with nepotism. Lodge emphasizes that it will take a great deal of time to collect evidence and create reports of his investigations. Lodge is pleased to hear of President Roosevelt’s African safari plans, but warns him to be careful of flies carrying sleeping sickness. He writes about the impressive dike engineering in the Netherlands, and of a book by Maurice Maeterlinck he believes the Roosevelts will enjoy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-26

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous apologises for the delay in answering President Roosevelt’s letter, but he has been preparing lists of equipment and supplies and will write more fully once he has heard from outfitters Lawn & Alder. Selous says the best rifles for hunting “very heavy game” are made in England and hopes to acquire one for Roosevelt and a smaller one for Kermit Roosevelt. Selous thanks Roosevelt for the copy of National Geographic magazine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-26

Letter from William G. Lee to William Loeb

William G. Lee, of Potbury & Lee, informs William Loeb about modifications to be made for a pair of boots for President Roosevelt. The boots will be sent as soon as they are finished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-27

Letter from Ezra H. Fitch to William Loeb

Ezra H. Fitch informs William Loeb that Abercrombie & Fitch has sent a metal flask for President Roosevelt as was discussed in a previous letter. Fitch confirms the details regarding a tent ordered by Roosevelt, including its construction and deployment, and says that the tent will be ready in about a week. Fitch offers to send any other items, such as sleeping bags or other camping equipment, for Roosevelt to inspect to ensure it is of good quality.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for the approval of his speech, which gave him deep gratification. Lodge is pleased Roosevelt accepted the offer to write about his upcoming African safari from Scribner’s, even though it was less than other publications had offered. Lodge had lunch with Ambassador Henry White and was very impressed with him. In a postscript, Lodge mentions he had a long talk with British Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour and was interested that he felt the same about a recent donation of an American flag to a British museum by William Waldorf Astor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Letter from J. H. Patterson to Theodore Roosevelt

J. H. Patterson explains to President Roosevelt that while the rains might not be over by May 1, they should not be inconvenient for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, as there is always fine weather at some part of the day, and there would be no worry about finding water. Patterson believes Roosevelt should be able to gather all the specimens and personal trophies he previously described. He recommends that Roosevelt travel in comfort, start slow, and gradually build up the endurance the safari will require. Patterson thanks Roosevelt for the invitation to the White House and if he comes, will bring some slides to show.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Letter from Percy C. Madeira to Theodore Roosevelt

Percy C. Madeira sends President Roosevelt details related to his upcoming African safari, answering many of his previous questions. Madeira mentions several books for Roosevelt to read, and recommends the best sources for maps of the region. He also outlines some short trips for Roosevelt to start out with after arriving in Mombasa, with Roosevelt’s goal of shooting various types of gazelles in mind. Madeira says that four or five months is ample time for his main safari. Madeira makes suggestions for Roosevelt’s Nile trip, including contacts for outfitters, recommendations for shipping equipment, and notes about climate and servants. Finally, Madeira warns Roosevelt that due to his status, he might be quoted very high prices by various vendors, and offers to keep his name secret to get better prices.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-30

Letter from Presley Marion Rixey to Theodore Roosevelt

Presley Marion Rixey has just returned from the Naval Training station in Chicago and the tubercular hospital in Colorado, and thanks President Roosevelt for giving the old fort to the Navy for such a purpose. Rixey has planned a one day fox hunt for Roosevelt and his daughter Ethel Roosevelt and hopes Roosevelt will not say no. Rixey asks Roosevelt to intercede in the case of West Point Cadet William J. Nalle, who was suspended from West Point for hazing, but only to do “what you consistently can.” Rixey wishes he could accompany Roosevelt on his upcoming African Safari, but fears he would be a hindrance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-30

Letter from Robert J. Collier to Theodore Roosevelt

Robert J. Collier asks President Roosevelt again if he would consider writing about his trip to Africa in Collier’s Weekly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

Leonard Wood expresses his satisfaction that President Roosevelt will take Edgar Alexander Mearns with him on his upcoming African safari. In a postscript, Wood describes a ride he recently took and his weight loss since May.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-03

Letter from Frederick Courteney Selous to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick Courteney Selous is sending President Roosevelt a list of provisions compiled by Lawn and Alder. Selous has been informed that Lawn and Alder can not only supply the provisions but can also arrange passage from Europe to Mombasa for Roosevelt and his son, Kermit. Selous also passes on information from other naturalists and hunters regarding equipment and supplies to take, and the animals which can be hunted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-05

Letter from Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein to Edward North Buxton

Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein hopes to see Edward North Buxton before traveling. He has heard from Frederick Courteney Selous about President Roosevelt’s plans to visit British East Africa on a safari after leaving office, and is sure he will enjoy it. Hoyos relates some of what he knows of Roosevelt’s proposed route, and talks about some of his own time hunting game in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-29

Letter from S. S. McClure to Theodore Roosevelt

S. S. McClure modifies his offer to hire President Roosevelt to write journal articles while on his African safari. McClure offers Roosevelt $60,000 for twelve articles, or $100,000 for twenty articles if Roosevelt visited other countries around the world after completing his safari. McClure is also interested in publishing a book by Roosevelt, and would offer royalties of 20% for the first five thousand copies, and 22 1/2% for sales beyond that. McClure says that he needs these articles more than others, and compares the situation to a conversation between General Daniel Edgar Sickles and President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He would like to talk to Roosevelt in person, if possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-01

Letter from Frank M. Chapman to Theodore Roosevelt

Frank M. Chapman sends President Roosevelt a book of photographs that Herbert Lang took in the region of British East Africa that Roosevelt is planning to visit on his safari. Chapman says that Lang, in addition to being a skilled photographer, is also well-trained in field taxidermy, and says that if Roosevelt would like to add him to his staff, the American Museum of Natural History would be glad to detail Lang to assist.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-03

Letter from Cyrus Adler to Theodore Roosevelt

Cyrus Adler, acting secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, informs President Roosevelt that his letter has been forwarded to Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Adler also assures Roosevelt that his understanding that no one will write anything about the safari until after Roosevelt’s own articles are published is acceptable, and that anyone who accompanies him will be given instructions to that effect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06