Sanderson, Edward L. (Edward Lancelot), 1867-1939

President Roosevelt writes to Edward North Buxton about the shoes he plans to bring with him on his safari. Roosevelt is glad to have the input of Buxton, Frederick Courteney Selous, and Alfred E. Pease regarding his travel plans. Currently, Roosevelt plans to have a white man as a caravan manager and local shikaris to assist with the hunting. Roosevelt thanks Buxton for assisting with the money transfer, along with everything else, and looks forward to their meeting in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton for clarification about hunting guns and safari guides. Roosevelt would likely avoid hunting in the reserves, as the idea bothers him, and he would also like to avoid all press coverage and fanfare while out on Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He enjoys hearing of Edward North Buxton and Emily Digby Buxton’s life together, and writes that he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have spent time over the summer taking rides and going out on the water, while Ted Roosevelt gets ready to go into business. In a postscript, Roosevelt writes that he would like to avoid the reserves completely, but wonders if it would be possible to hunt one or two potentially restricted specimens outside the reserve, for the National Museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-10

President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if his letter to Alfred E. Pease was clear on specific points relating to his Africa trip. He has been advised to hire an Englishman but would rather have a native guide. Roosevelt continues to gather supplies and equipment, agreeing that footwear is too important to consider the expense. He shares his travel plans and ideas with Buxton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

President Roosevelt encloses the revised lists of supplies for Frederick Courteney Selous. He discusses his reasoning behind the revisions and provides Selous with his travel itinerary. Gerrit Forbes recently visited Roosevelt and recounted his recent hunt in Africa. Roosevelt is reluctant to hire a white man for the trip but will do so if Selous suggests it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-19

President Roosevelt thanks Percy C. Madeira for his kindness. If possible, he does not want to take any professional guide who is an Englishman. Edward L. Sanderson has suggested another man whom Roosevelt is willing to take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-18

Theodore Roosevelt hopes the enclosed suits W. Robert Foran. He is disappointed that William F. S. Edwards was not appointed Lieutenant Governor of Uganda. Roosevelt feels that Edward L. Sanderson and his wife, Helen M. Sanderson, will do better with a school in England than Nairobi. Kermit Roosevelt had two successful hunts. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-10

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed Helen M. Sanderson’s letter and is glad that she gets to stay near her sons while her husband, Edward L. Sanderson, takes over as headmaster of the school he attended. Although, they will still think of “strange Africa” and wish to return. Roosevelt feels too old to go back to Africa and would hate to leave Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and his home, unless there was a real need such as a war. However, Kermit Roosevelt longs to return. Roosevelt sends the kids his love and hopes Sanderson will continue her writing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-03

President Roosevelt discusses whether to employ locals or Englishmen as safari guides on his upcoming trip. He has started engaging shikaris, and notes that he would rather not employ white guides unless absolutely necessary. Roosevelt has amended the list of supplies that Frederick Courteney Selous suggested he bring, cutting down on alcohol and luxuries. He discuses the itinerary and logistics of the trip, particularly in relation to ensuring that he is able to shoot good specimens for the Smithsonian Institute, which can easily be transported.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-20

President Roosevelt questions Edward North Buxton about whether or not he should bring a gun for close-range shooting. He clarifies his decision to hire an Englishman to manage his caravan, and his choice of hunting guides for himself and his son Kermit. He hopes that he will be able to get permission to visit game reserves in British East Africa to shoot specimens for the National Museum, but he does not want special privileges that would not be extended to others. He plans to start his hunt at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, and wants to know if it will be possible to keep the press away. He notes that his son Ted will be starting his new job while he and Kermit are hunting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-10

President Roosevelt officially engages R. J. Cunninghame to lead the caravan on his upcoming safari. He gives Cunninghame the freedom to hire whomever he wishes, and to make whatever choices he thinks best.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

President Roosevelt places R. J. Cunninghame in charge of managing his safari caravan, and details his expectations for the trip. Roosevelt wants to begin hunting as quickly as possible after arriving in British East Africa and spending several weeks at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch to improve his physical fitness. Cunninghame should hire the necessary support staff and porters at his discretion. Roosevelt wants to hunt some of the “common game” near the railroad so that their skins can be easily transported, but he also hopes to kill big game and is willing to “go to any trouble” to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31