Safaris

Letter from Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville to Theodore Roosevelt

The Earl of Warwick has heard that President Roosevelt is planning a big game hunting trip to East Africa and would like to provide him with information about the shooting trip he took there two years ago. Warwick will be in the United States at the beginning of December and would be happy to travel to Washington to speak with Roosevelt about his experience.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-13

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, are happy that President Roosevelt appreciates their gift of the painting “Seats of the Mighty.” After being president for seven years, Lee believes a year-long African safari is the best curative. He outlines “a plan… for you to visit England without annoyance,” inviting Roosevelt to stay at either his London house or the one in the Highlands. Roosevelt’s reaction to the Olympic controversies delights Lee, who feels international games cause more friction than good feelings. Lee discusses British naval preparation and questions the German policies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-06

Letter from Ezra H. Fitch to William Loeb

Ezra H. Fitch sends William Loeb samples of three different weights of non-wool “Jaeger blankets” for inspection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-31

British East Africa

This travel magazine provides information about planning a trip to British East Africa, including booking a trip, scheduling shipments, game laws, transportation, and all other details associated with a trip to Africa. The magazine includes pictures from British East Africa and a list of game animals in the area.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07

Two sample labels from Abercrombie & Fitch

Two labled samples of material for bags sent by Abercrombie & Fitch. One reads, “heavy brown waterproof,” and the other, “pantasote duck on duck.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-10

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

Leonard Wood envies President Roosevelt’s trip to Africa. He suggests Roosevelt visit the Philippines on his return as “it would be of the greatest value to all concerned and of great use to you in the future.” Wood, his wife Louise Adriana Wood, and son Leonard R. Wood will reach New York the first week of November.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-28

Roosevelt’s African Outfit

As first reported in the Chronicle, President Roosevelt asked elephant hunter Frederick Courteney Selous to purchase and make arrangements for outfitting his African tour. Selous will buy the equipment in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank M. Chapman

President Roosevelt thanks Frank M. Chapman for the photographs, and thinks that Herbert Lang would be a perfect person to bring on his safari. Unfortunately, Roosevelt is going in service of the Smithsonian Institution, as he promised Charles D. Walcott, and guesses that the American Museum of Natural History would not care to lend Lang to the Smithsonian for this purpose. Roosevelt’s son, Kermit Roosevelt, will come visit soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edgar Alexander Mearns

President Roosevelt welcomes Edgar Alexander Mearns as the naturalist and medical advisor on his African Safari with “three cheers!” Roosevelt authorizes Mearns to requisition medical supplies from the Army and have them stored pending shipping to Africa, and outlines details of his travel and outfitting plans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-03

Letter from Eugene Thwing to Theodore Roosevelt

Eugene Thwing, president of The Circle Publishing Company, wishes to present an opportunity for his company to publish the book or books that he anticipates President Roosevelt will write during his proposed African hunting trip. He asks if he could visit Roosevelt to discuss this with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-10

Advertisement for Boma Trading Co.

A clipping advertising for the Boma Trading Company, which says that it will outfit safaris for scientific, sporting, and trading purposes. Interested persons should contact Captain George Hutton Riddell in Nairobi, or W. H. Hooker in London.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07

Letter from Armar D. Saunderson to Theodore Roosevelt

Armar D. Saunderson thanks President Roosevelt for the book. Saunderson has contacted Manuel A. Da Silva, a hunter he knows in Africa, and will let Roosevelt know when Da Silva replies to him. Saunderson is sure that if Roosevelt travels with Da Silva during his safari, he will be able to find a large variety of animals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-11

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton forwards President Roosevelt some letters from his cousins describing their experiences in British East Africa. He also advises Roosevelt about who the proper people would be to contact regarding his upcoming time in Africa, and predicts that they will all enthusiastically help Roosevelt gain access to the best places for hunting. Buxton acknowledges that the route Roosevelt takes will depend on the time of year that he is on his safari, and says he can give more advice once Roosevelt’s plans are firmer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton sends President Roosevelt some equipment for the trip he will take to Africa, along with some instructions for their use. He hopes that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will not worry, and trusts that Roosevelt has taken all due precautions. Buxton also writes to say that the supplies and provisions have been sent to Mombasa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-28

Theodore Roosevelt great scout

This motion picture dramatizes a visit of a troop of Boy Scouts to the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site. A young boy who is not a scout joins the troop for their visit, and they are all inspired by the way that the young Theodore Roosevelt improved his physical fitness, and later took on adventures that brought him around the world to Africa and South America.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association

Creation Date

Unknown

News magazine of the screen: America’s heritage

After a brief presentation of Theodore Roosevelt’s biography accompanied by photographs, this item presents video clips, provided by the News Magazine Library, of Theodore Roosevelt after leaving the presidency. These clips include scenes of traveling during his safari in Africa, making speeches during the first World War, and speaking at Sagamore Hill. Additionally, there is a brief walking tour of several rooms in Sagamore Hill, including the sitting room, nursery, dining room, trophy room, and library.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association

Creation Date

Unknown

Letter from Edward North Buxton to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward North Buxton informs President Roosevelt that the elephant rifle is ready, and that he hopes to send it to Roosevelt for any adjustments. Buxton has spoken with Ambassador Whitelaw Reid, who believes he will be able to send the gun as a foreign office parcel. He sends Roosevelt a list of the people who donated to have the gun made for Roosevelt, and says that they all wish Roosevelt a good time on safari in British East Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-20

Everybody’s Africa

In honor of President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, C. Bryson Taylor writes about the sights, conditions, hazards, and necessary supplies of a hunting trip in safari. Taylor details the guides, provisions, ammunition, and medicines travelers will need when embarking into the “dark and brooding heart” of Africa. Taylor also weaves in two fictional stories about previous hunting parties, which demonstrate the harshness of the expeditions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-09

List of books and articles

This note lists a number of books, letters, and topics that President Roosevelt has discussed and written about recently.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

Theodore Roosevelt informs George von Lengerke Meyer that the cartridges from the Winchester company are set to arrive soon by boat. Roosevelt thanks Marian Alice Appleton Meyer for the letter to himself and Edith Roosevelt. Roosevelt would like to visit Meyer after his trip to Africa to discuss matters relating to Meyer’s appointment as Secretary of Navy and the importance of avoiding blunders on the international front.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1909-03-18