Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Frank M. Chapman for his letters, and writes about his African expedition and how his son, Kermit Roosevelt, defied his father’s advice and came out on top in the end.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs F. A. Clifford that William Northrup McMillan was the rancher that Roosevelt stayed with while in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt found R. J. Cuninghame’s recent letter “extremely interesting” and was particularly amused at the Swedish scientists’ decision to leave the elephants alone. The description of elephant behavior was intriguing. He is glad the Holland rifle worked and hopes Cuninghame likes Stewart Edward White. Edmund Heller recently wrote about Paul James Rainey’s success hunting lions with dogs and sent his pamphlet about white rhinoceros. However, Roosevelt is irritated that Heller did not describe the giant eland specimens. Roosevelt sends his pamphlet on animal coloration and expresses concern about Leslie J. Tarlton’s and V. M. Newland’s health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-11
Theodore Roosevelt has not heard from Frederick Courteney Selous for some time and wants to hear how his safari in the Lado Enclave went. He hopes Selous killed a giraffe as he is curious about what species is in the area and that he solved the questions of Mrs. Grey’s waterbuck. Roosevelt encourages Selous to write a book on his experiences and praises his previous works, especially as other hunter-naturalists’ books are “utterly dry.” He sends a copy of his pamphlet on protective coloration in animals and his follow-up article. Kermit Roosevelt misses Africa and is currently hunting in Mexico, with a trip to New Brunswick planned for September. Roosevelt wants Selous and his wife, Marie Catherine Gladys Selous, to visit him at Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt attempts to answer Henry V. D. Spicer’s questions about his safari, saying that he was in Africa for eleven months, but could only give the precise number of days by carefully going through his diary. His book, African Game Trails, gives a rough statement of all the specimens collected, but he recommends Spicer contact the Smithsonian Institute to find out if an exact catalog has been published yet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-13
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary recommends that James E. Konkle read Roosevelt’s book African Game Trails, and he notes that Roosevelt was “more than pleased” with Newland, Tarlton & Company that helped to make his trip a success. Roosevelt’s secretary suggests that Konkle contact D. T. Abercrombie who is the agent for that firm in the U.S.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-18
Theodore Roosevelt received Alfred E. Pease’s letter, as he had hoped. He is currently visiting Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt and comments that the happiness of his children is his greatest concern. He recounts hunting bongos with George Grey in Africa and bird watching with his brother, Edward Grey, in England. The news of George Grey’s death by a lion saddened him, and he considers the dangers of lion hunting. Roosevelt discusses his family and their recent trip. While happy at home, Roosevelt would consider another scientific expedition through Asia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-01
Theodore Roosevelt sends William E. Coffin the list. However, he is confused by the question of guides and professional hunters. He describes how during the kills on his safari, he was usually alone or had another amateur, white hunter with him. The native gun-bearers typically found the game. As such, Roosevelt does not feel he deserves “high honor” in these cases. The same is mostly true for his American hunts, although sometimes he did have guides.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt informs his “little friend” Donald B. Thomason that the descriptions of the animals he killed in Africa, as written in his book, are accurate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-25
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains to A. W. Lu that Roosevelt is not accepting engagements and does not plan to lecture on his African trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-16
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to May G. Quigley that while he wishes he could speak to the children about his African trip while in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he cannot accept another invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-13
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary quotes an editorial that Roosevelt wrote in The Outlook which stated the purpose of his African safari. It is a scientific expedition, and Roosevelt makes it clear that once he goes into the wilderness, any reports about his activities that come from outside his immediate party are false.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-06-15
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton to order boots for himself and his son Kermit. He expresses concern about whether the upcoming safari will be good for Kermit’s health. He is very interested in the letter from Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein and wonders if it would be possible for him to visit. Roosevelt would like to discuss hunting with him. Roosevelt increasingly believes that he will do most of his hunting in British East Africa and the Nile so that he can spend more time hunting and less time traveling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt hopes that Frederick Courteney Selous received the shoe he sent. He discusses various supplies he thinks he should bring on his upcoming safari, based on a book by J. H. Patterson and advice he got from Gerrit Forbes, who recently returned from hunting in Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-08
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 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
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if it is possible for the same firm that made his boots to make a pair of mosquito boots for himself and his son Kermit. Buxton should get a list of the provisions that Lawn and Alder are providing for Roosevelt, and has permission to make changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of his ranch is very tempting for Roosevelt, and he is excited to hunt there. Roosevelt is trying to minimize the loss of ammunition that he is having shipped for the hunt, and will try to think of the safari as a holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
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 provides Frederick John Jackson, lieutenant-governor of British East Africa, with details about the plans for his upcoming African safari. He will be hunting with his son Kermit, and bringing along field naturalists and taxidermists to collect samples for the National Museum. He asks Jackson’s advice on several proposed itineraries, including one from J. H. Patterson. Roosevelt also asks advice on the sort of formal wear he should bring for occasions when he may have to visit “civilization.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02