Tarlton, Leslie J. (Leslie Jefferis), 1877-1951

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit from his Western speaking trip to say how much the family are enjoying themselves, though he cannot stand all the speaking and this is the last speaking trip he will take. He encloses letters from safari agency owner Leslie J. Tarlton and Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt is concerned at how sick Tarlton and his partner V. M. Newland were and he wants Kermit to write to Tarlton.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-04-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

Theodore Roosevelt sends Alfred E. Pease a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals, which he also sent to Frederick Courteney Selous, C. H. Stigand, and Edward North Buxton. “Homesick for the wilderness,” Kermit is out hunting in the Mexican desert and will soon finish his course at Harvard. Edmund Heller wrote Roosevelt about Paul James Rainey’s lion hunt using bear hounds. Unfortunately, Leslie J. Tarlton and V. M. Newland are in poor health. Roosevelt has “settled down into a perfectly quiet life” and does not “intend ever again to go away from Sagamore Hill.” He shares his recent rowing trip with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cuninghame

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. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmund Heller

Theodore Roosevelt is obliged to Edmund Heller for the interesting letter. Roosevelt discusses the hunting abilities and experience of Charles Jesse Jones, Paul James Rainey, and R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt also discusses his article Concealing and Revealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmund Heller

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Edmund Heller that he and Kermit Roosevelt read everything with great interest, but he is concerned that the two pamphlets have not come. He worries that Richard Lydekker or someone else will use Frederick Courteney Selous’s specimens for a similar publication, which would allow the British Museum to publish first “simply because they worked it up and we did not.” He asks that the pamphlets be sent now. Roosevelt will begin working on the life histories of big game for Heller’s book and he may use or reject them at will. He will also send Heller the article on concealing coloration when it is completed. Roosevelt mentions that he has received an interesting letter from R. J. Cuninghame and one from Leslie J. Tarlton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt has asked his safari guide R. J. Cunninghame to engage Leslie J. Tarlton. Roosevelt is concerned about the growing expense of the trip but does not want to disregard Cunninghame’s suggestions. He is also reluctant to allow anyone other than himself to shoot big game. Roosevelt is very busy with work leading up to the end of his presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

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 Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Carl Ethan Akeley

President Roosevelt thanks Carl Ethan Akeley for letting him know that R. J. Cunninghame is alright. He is immensely pleased.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

Discussing his upcoming African safari, President Roosevelt would like to get buffalo in a spot accessible to the railroad, as he wants to ship the skins back to the United States National Museum. Roosevelt is glad that R. J. Cunninghame was able to engage Leslie J. Tarlton, and discusses proper arrangements for gun-bearers, horses, and mules. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Hugh H. Heatley inviting him to hunt on his ranch in Nairobi.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Jay White

President Roosevelt thanks John Jay White for the letter and advice about his upcoming Africa trip. Reverend W. S. Rainsford wrote to him along similar lines. Roosevelt has directed R. J. Cunninghame to hire the necessary support staff, and he mentioned the names White suggested. He hopes to begin the hunting expedition very soon after arriving in Africa, and will travel during the rainy season if at all possible. He invites White to come see him in Washington on his return from Richmond.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt received Frederick Courteney Selous’s letters, and the letter from R. J. Cunninghame. Roosevelt has directed Cunninghame to hire Leslie J. Tarlton, but he might reduce the expedition size later in the trip. It is becoming more expensive than he had anticipated. However, Roosevelt does not want to immediately disregard Cunninghame’s experience and advice. The end of his presidency is keeping Roosevelt very busy, and he looks forward to seeing Selous in April.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

President Roosevelt reiterates that R. J. Cunninghame has full authority over the caravan management for his safari. Roosevelt has already cabled about hiring Leslie J. Tarlton, but wonders if Tarlton could initially be hired for only the first part of the trip. Roosevelt knows himself to be an inexpert marksman, but he does not want others to kill the game for him. After updating Cunninghame on the permissions he recently received from the Belgian government, Roosevelt outlines his hunting goals and tentative schedule for his first few weeks in Africa. He encloses a paraphrased letter he just received from a “Boer sympathizer” who has made a potentially advantageous offer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

President Roosevelt authorizes R. J. Cunninghame to employ Leslie J. Tarlton. The message is crossed out in pen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

President Roosevelt authorizes R. J. Cunninghame to employ Leslie J. Tarlton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt provides Frederick Courteney Selous with an excerpt of a letter from Governor Frederick John Jackson which outlines a potential itinerary for his African safari. Jackson suggests starting at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch and staying close to Nairobi before going further afield. Roosevelt plans to amend the itinerary to make a loop into hunting grounds where J. H. Patterson hunted. Roosevelt expresses concern that reporters might try to arrange a caravan to follow him on his trip, and wonders if Jackson can prevent them from doing so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from R. J. Cuninghame to Theodore Roosevelt

R. J. Cuninghame thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter and pamphlet on animal coloration. He reports the success of several safaris and gives updates on some of their friends and fellow hunters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-26

Creator(s)

Cuninghame, R. J.

Letter from Edmund Heller to Theodore Roosevelt

Edmund Heller discusses Paul James Rainey and his offer to collect specimens in British East Africa for the Smithsonian. Museum officials urge Heller to accompany Painey, but he feels responsible for completing the work on Roosevelt’s collection. He asks Roosevelt’s opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Creator(s)

Heller, Edmund, 1875-1939

Telegram from R. J. Cunninghame to Theodore Roosevelt

R. J. Cunninghame informs President Roosevelt that Leslie J. Tarlton has accepted the appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

Creator(s)

Cunninghame, R. J. (Richard John), 1871-1925