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Richard Harding Davis offers his thoughts on the most important elements to bring along while hiking or marching long distances, backed up by his experiences as a war correspondent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is glad he went out for the football team and that he expects him to have hard times with his six courses. He also reports that duffel bags and shoes have arrived for their African trip and asks Kermit how many pairs of shoes he wants.
1908-10-06
President Roosevelt thanks the employees of the Winchester Repeating Arms company for all their work outfitting him for his safari. He believes any issues with his equipment will result from his own error, and plans to share his experiences with the company, so long as he does not already address them in his column with Scribner’s.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-28
President Roosevelt thanks Mary Tracy Scott for sending drinking cups and a bag, which he has sent to Oyster Bay to be included in his Africa travel equipment. He makes an appointment to visit her for tea with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-27
President Roosevelt thanks his aunt, Elizabeth Norris Emlen Roosevelt, for the portfolio, which will be perfect for his Africa trip. He plans to go see her very soon, when he gets back to New York after leaving office. Her son, William Emlen Roosevelt, has very kindly offered to arrange car transportation for them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that with the election of president-elect William H. Taft successfully concluded he can go abroad with “a clear conscience and an easy heart.” Roosevelt sends Buxton a copy of a letter he received, and asks for Buxton’s opinion on several matters raised by the author of the letter, primarily in reference to the sorts of guns and traveling supplies Roosevelt will bring with him on safari. Roosevelt asks Buxton to procure some of the mentioned supplies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton several questions regarding boots, firearms, staff, and finances for his upcoming African safari. Roosevelt mentions that he is worried that his son Kermit Roosevelt might become ill with fever during the trip. Roosevelt asks Buxton to let him know if Count Ernst Karl Hoyos-Sprinzenstein, is able to visit him in Oyster Bay so he can show him his trophies and discuss the hunting trips Hoyos has written about. Roosevelt encloses some letters and asks Buxton about the status of the writers. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt expresses his excitement to see Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
President Roosevelt heartily accepts Sir Alfred E. Pease’s invitation to stay at his ranch in Africa. Roosevelt gives many details and asks questions about his safari planning, including: his itinerary to Mombasa; game he would like to find; his lack of physical fitness and the necessity to start out slowly; how much money he should advance to various outfitters; pack horses and saddles; taxidermists and naturalists he plans to bring along; hunting rifles and ammunition for the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
N. C. Palmer, president of Palmer Liquid Coffee Company, offers to send condensed coffee to President Roosevelt for use on his African safari. Palmer explains that his version of condensed coffee cannot be found on the market and beats out other competitors due to its convenience and taste.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-23
Alfred Hodges gifts President Roosevelt a compass, aneroid barometer, and a thermometer for the upcoming safari. Hodges wishes Roosevelt a good trip and hopes for his safe return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-22
John T. Loomis thanks William Loeb for sending a copy of the address that President Roosevelt gave at the Conference of Governors. He will happily accept a copy of the full proceedings when it is issued. Loomis asks Loeb to inform Roosevelt that the book box for the Africa trip will be shipped to Washington, D.C., no later than February 12.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-08
President Roosevelt’s aunt, Elizabeth Norris Emlen Roosevelt, sends him a letter case that she hopes will prove useful on his trip to Africa. She wishes him luck.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-04
John T. Loomis updates William Loeb on the order status of the books and box for President Roosevelt’s safari. The books are ready, and their box should be finished and waterproofed by February 20. He inquires if this will be soon enough.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-04
Edward North Buxton informs President Roosevelt that he has sent him a single Zeiss glass. Buxton suggests Roosevelt carries it in a pocket bag across his chest and discusses other details and supplies about Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-28
J. Foster of the Army & Navy Cooperative Society confirms Edward North Buxton’s order of water bottles for President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari and notes that there will be room for additional food in the shipment. Foster assures that Roosevelt’s alterations will be accommodated and requests the date that North would like the goods to arrive in Mombasa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-15
Ezra H. Fitch updates William Loeb on President Roosevelt’s supply orders from Abercrombie & Fitch. He also encloses an article from the Sun, which he claims falsely quotes him, since he “refused to talk to the Sun man” Fitch sends the article so Loeb is aware that it is false in the case it is reprinted elsewhere.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-12
Ezra H. Fitch thanks William Loeb for sending the outline of President Roosevelt’s shoe, and emphasizes that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is anxious that Roosevelt be completely satisfied with the type of shoe that they make for him. Fitch asks several follow-up questions regarding the design of the shoe and Roosevelt’s preferences for its size and construction. Additionally, he mentions recent experiments by Professor Raymond Lee Ditmars regarding snake-proof leggings, and offers to send a pair for Roosevelt to inspect if he wishes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-28
Consul General Iddings is sending President Roosevelt two pairs of mosquito boots via London. Iddings instructs Roosevelt on how to use the boots, and emphasizes their importance in preventing mosquito bites at night. When Roosevelt is out hunting, his normal pants and boots should prevent mosquito bites well enough. If the boots do not fit, Roosevelt can send them back so they can be altered before he arrives. Iddings also forwards Roosevelt a letter from Sir Lee Stack, the chief Sudan official who is in Cairo, and who has been assisting Iddings. Iddings was pleased to hear of the Republican victory in the presidential election, and congratulates Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-05
Percy C. Madeira thanks President Roosevelt for his offer to provide an introduction to Alaska governor Wilford B. Hoggatt. He asks him to write the introduction and provide an autographed photograph if it is not too much trouble. Madeira invites Roosevelt and his son Kermit to Philadelphia to see his “African bag,” which has been mounted. Finally, Madeira suggests that Roosevelt get metal-covered ammunition for his trip and send his supplies to Africa a month in advance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
Lieutenant Walther Von Wiese und Kaiserswaldau of the Imperial Colonial Military in German East Africa details the best areas for hunting in the Victoria Nyanza, with a map appended. He outlines potential trips with supplies, routes, and bureaucratic details, with corresponding routes drawn on the map.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10