Selous, Frederick Courteney, 1851-1917

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Northrup McMillan

President Roosevelt happily accepts the invitation to visit Willian Northrup McMillan’s house in Nairobi and to hunt on his farm. However, he has already promised to stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch when he first arrives, and asks if he can wait to name a time when he can visit McMillan. He discusses the proposed itinerary for his African safari, which includes time in British East Africa and Uganda before traveling up the Nile.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Alfred E. Pease to Theodore Roosevelt

When he is in Africa, President Roosevelt would like to hunt at William Northrup McMillan’s farm, as well as stay at Alfred E. Pease’s, but he will defer to Pease’s judgment on the matter. He is very excited by Pease’s description of all the animals he can shoot along the Nile. Roosevelt discusses when and where he will procure supplies along the way. He must now turn his attention to the presidential election in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt discusses various matters regarding provisions, hunting rifles, and ammunition for his upcoming African safari. He would like them to be sent to Mombasa and Alfred E. Pease’s ranch for him to pick up when he arrives. Roosevelt informs Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan; this will allow Roosevelt to focus on hunting and not on the logistics of the caravan. While Roosevelt and his son Kermit are staying with Pease, the manager and taxidermists and naturalists that are coming along can stay nearby. Roosevelt discusses the areas he would like to hunt and the animals that he hopes to shoot.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. H. Patterson

President Roosevelt is sorry to hear that J. H. Patterson’s trip to the United States is delayed, and hopes that it is not because he is ill. The arrangements for Roosevelt’s African safari are being finalized. He has asked Frederick Courteney Selous to hire someone to manage the expedition so that he can spend his own time hunting and making notes. He would like to do a trip like one Patterson took, and asks where he went.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

President Roosevelt tells Alfred E. Pease that he intends to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan on his upcoming safari. Edward North Buxton disagrees with this decision, but Roosevelt feels that this will allow him more time to study the habits of animals and enjoy his holiday. The guide can arrange for the rest of the party, with taxidermists and naturalists, to camp nearby when Roosevelt and his son Kermit stay at Pease’s ranch. Roosevelt also might like to travel into German or Belgian territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt discusses the naturalists and taxidermists, including Edgar Alexander Mearns, who will accompany him on his African safari. He assures Edward North Buxton that he will make it clear that neither the white safari guide, nor the other white naturalists on the trip will do any hunting. He and Kermit will be the only two guns. He hopes that if they can get some samples close to the railway lines, the naturalists can take the trophies to Nairobi and preserve them there, while Roosevelt and Kermit take a longer trip, similar to J. H. Patterson’s, by themselves. Roosevelt is concerned that he will not be in good enough physical condition to have a successful trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick John Jackson

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Northrup McMillan

President Roosevelt happily accepts the invitation to visit William Northrup McMillan on his African safari. First, he is going to stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, but he hopes to do shorter hunts on both Pease’s and McMillan’s properties before the rainy season ends and he leaves for longer trips. Roosevelt and his son Kermit hope to shoot a male and female of each of the big game animals for the Smithsonian Institution. He discusses several proposed itineraries, but will put off making final decisions until he arrives in Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for speaking to Lord Crewe. He accepts a special license for shooting and entering game reserves in Africa, which he will only use if it is unclear that he is on land belonging to a reserve. Roosevelt outlines his plans for procuring supplies for his safari. He makes passing references to the situation in the Balkans, and his thoughts on women’s suffrage. He is amused by a cartoon and article that Reid sent, and shares his feelings about caricatures. The one by Thomas Nast as “an absolute outrage.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt compares his opinions on hunting rifles and ammunition with opinions previously expressed by Edward North Buxton. Roosevelt sends measurements of his head so that Buxton can order a pith helmet, asks for Zeiss glass, and thanks Buxton for ordering canvas camp shoes directly to Mombasa. He mentions his mosquito boots being too small but intends to keep them and order two more pairs for longer feet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Newland, Tarlton & Company

President Roosevelt requests the enclosed letter be given to R. J. Cunninghame, whom Frederick Courteney Selous has hired to manage his caravan in Africa. Cunninghame should be given anything he wants from Newland, Tarlton & Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

President Roosevelt gives R. J. Cunninghame permission to manage the caravan for his upcoming safari in whatever way he sees fit. However, he warns Cunninghame that he intends to do all of his own shooting, and does not want anyone to kill his game for him. Roosevelt discusses the animals he would like to shoot and some potential scheduling for the trip, but does not want to decide on details until he arrives in Mombasa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. H. Patterson

President Roosevelt tells J. H. Patterson that he will likely be able to make the hunting trip in Africa. He describes the guns he hopes to bring, outlines tentative travel plans, and discusses the game he would like to shoot. He asks Patterson to advise him “in rough fashion” about his plan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

President Roosevelt writes to Edward North Buxton about his upcoming safari, including details about the outfitting of his trip, as well as his travel plans. Roosevelt will accept Alfred E. Pease’s invitation to visit his ranch to begin his journey and get acclimated. He then plans to make several trips from the railway to get into good game-country. Roosevelt plans to get Kermit Roosevelt a camera to do photography on the trip, and hopes to have a couple field taxidermists accompany him as well, as the trip will have a naturalist purpose behind it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. H. Patterson

President Roosevelt thanks J. H. Patterson for the letter, saying that it told him exactly what he wanted to know. Roosevelt is very excited about his upcoming safari in Africa, and says he will follow Patterson’s advice to make his main trip British East Africa, and describes his plans there. Much of his hunting will be done for the Smithsonian Institution, with whom he is partnering for the trip, although he would like to take two or three trophies for his own use, if it is permitted. Roosevelt would be very glad if Patterson would be able to visit him at the White House before he leaves office, and describes a visit he had with some other people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick John Jackson

President Roosevelt apprises Frederick John Jackson, Lieutenant-Governor of British East Africa, of his upcoming safari. Roosevelt plans to spend at least six months there hunting, to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. While he does not want to be a bother, Roosevelt asks Jackson if he has any recommendations about where he should get porters, which stores he should use for supplies, and the best locations for shooting. He does not want any undue consideration or ceremony while he is in Africa, as he is traveling as a private citizen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson

In the years before the war, Great Britain was led by men like President Wilson and William H. Taft. Consequently, the British have been unable to use their strength like the other allies. The United States would perform even worse then the British. Robert Harry Munro Ferguson should not attempt to serve as he will not be sent to the front. Theodore Roosevelt’s friends Frederick Courteney Selous and R. J. Cuninghame are physically fit for their age but were refused front line service. If the United States entered the war, Roosevelt would serve with the expectation that he would eventually “break down.” He concludes with brief updates on the Roosevelt children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leslie J. Tarlton

Theodore Roosevelt did not criticize the government of East Africa in African Game Trails as he did not think it would do any good. Any government will have disagreeable aspects and these are best pointed out by a fellow countryman. Roosevelt asks if Leslie J. Tarlton has seen Frederick Courteney Selous. He would have sent Selous to the front with the frontiersmen, despite Selous’s age, as he would have provided “first-class service.” If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to serve with his four sons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Sheldon

Theodore Roosevelt returns Frederick Courteney Selous’s letter to Charles Sheldon, and writes that it was very interesting and similar to another letter he received. Selous’s life work has been hunting. Roosevelt suggests that Sheldon utilize Selous in war. While Roosevelt understands that Selous is over the maximum age list for service, he suggests waiving the rule in this case, and hopes that Secretary Horatio Herbert Kitchener will do so, despite Kitchener’s prejudice. Roosevelt enjoyed dining with Sheldon, and would love to see Sheldon’s big game library.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919