Your TR Source
President Roosevelt appreciates Dr. Oscar Carrabine’s response, and he will let Endicott Peabody know the scheduling information. Roosevelt suggests a meeting with the local dentist, Dr. Irving J. Wetherbee, to discuss collaborating on Archie Roosevelt’s dental care.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-23
President Roosevelt informs Kermit Roosevelt that Edward North Buxton has sent the boots, and reminds Kermit that he absolutely must get back to Harvard by September 30. In Oyster Bay, Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt went for their last row and had the townspeople over for a nice afternoon. The Winchester rifles arrived with improper sights, and Roosevelt has responded with a harsh letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt informs Dr. Oscar Carrabine, the family dentist, that Endicott Peabody will not allow Archie Roosevelt to travel for his dental work. Carrabine will have to travel to the Groton School, and Roosevelt gives potential route advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
President Roosevelt found the letter that Cecil Spring Rice sent to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about safari dangers to be quite hilarious, as did she, in a morose way. Roosevelt felt it would not be right to stay on as President, and he is glad the Africa trip is ahead. Roosevelt expresses his interest in the complex political situation unfolding in Turkey and the surrounding countries. He hopes Spring Rice can come to England and discuss politics in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-17
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.
President Roosevelt thanks British Governor General of the Sudan Wingate for providing a boat in Gondokoro and offering assistance with guides and camp set up. He details his feelings regarding hunting in the reserves, and inquires about finding elephant, white rhinoceros, and giant eland. Roosevelt knows General George Wood Wingate and respects him as a soldier, and he is grateful that Lady Catherine Leslie Rundle Wingate will host Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt. S. J. Leigh Hunt has said that Reginald has accomplished a great deal in Sudan, which Roosevelt knows is a difficult feat.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt updates Kermit Roosevelt on preparations for their Safari and on family life. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has lately been exposed to commentary about the potential dangers of the trip, including letters from Cecil Spring Rice and an article in The Public Ledger. The Roosevelt family celebrated Ted Roosevelt’s birthday with a picnic, and Roosevelt feels strongly that Ted will be successful in his upcoming ventures. Soon Archie Roosevelt will be heading back to school and summer will give way to fall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt thanks Frederick Courteney Selous for the recent letter containing travel suggestions and details changes he has made in light of it. He compares his own past adventures and future safari to Selous’s travels. Roosevelt responds to Selous’s comments on potential safari guides, and asks if Selous will confer with Edward North Buxton on the topic and send back his suggestions. In a postscript, he asks for Selous’s opinion on taking William C. Judd with him, specifically as a caravan manager and guide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt agrees with Ambassador Reid’s assessment of the interviewing being done by Edward VII, King of England. He thanks Reid for the introduction to Phillip H. Percival. After conferring with Edward North Buxton, Roosevelt has decided not to shoot in the reserves, and rescinds his request to Lord Eyre Crowe. Instead he asks only for permission regarding restricted species. The Sirdar of Egypt, F. R. Wingate, has written to Roosevelt about Sudan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt thanks Edward North Buxton for the information on the game reserves and says he will plan to avoid going into them. He still hopes to be able to take one or two species from outside the reserves, which might otherwise be protected, for the museum. Roosevelt discusses the matter of taking a white man with him on his safari, with a quotation from Frederick Courteney Selous’s recent letter on the topic, and clarifies the role he hopes a guide will play in managing the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton about mosquito boots and requests that he review the supply list and make any needed changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of where to hunt lion and other game thoroughly excites Roosevelt. The Winchester Repeating Arms Company has arranged for shipping ammunition. Roosevelt intends to follow Buxton’s advice and “shall travel as comfortably as possible.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
President Roosevelt has received Alfred E. Pease’s letter, and has also heard from Edward North Buxton. As Pease suggested, he sent funds to Buxton and to Nairobi. A friend recently told him about the same lion country Pease mentioned, and Roosevelt thinks it is ideal. Currently, Roosevelt finds it “difficult to devote full attention to my Presidential work […] because I am looking forward so eagerly to my African trip!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-05
President Roosevelt tells William Wingate Sewall that if he were going to bring anyone, he would be pleased to have Sewall’s son accompany him to Africa. As it stands, however, he is only taking Kermit and two professional naturalists and field taxidermists. There would be nothing for the son to do as the natives provide the physical labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
President Roosevelt inquires if Edward North Buxton can go to Lawn and Alder and add additional supplies to his list as Buxton sees fit. Roosevelt describes his preferences for hunting rifles. He looks forward to visiting Buxton after his trip to Africa. There are several men he wants to meet when he travels to England to present the Romanes Lecture at the University of Oxford.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
President Roosevelt cannot give the endorsement John Hays Hammond requests, because if he gave one endorsement, he would be asked to endorse countless other organizations as well. If he were going to South Africa, he would hire Frederick Russell Burnham as a guide. Because he is going to East Africa, however, he needs someone with local knowledge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-29
President Roosevelt requests that Smith, MacKenzie & Company forward his shipment of goods to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt thanks Frederick Courteney Selous for helping him prepare for his African trip, and reviews the supplies that have been arranged. Although hesitant at first, Roosevelt agrees with Selous on hiring “a reliable white man to manage the caravan and the like.” He requests that Selous hire William C. Judd for the position. Arrangements have been made for shipping the ammunition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt thanks Alfred E. Pease for helping him prepare for his Africa trip. He will follow through with Pease’s suggestions. Regardless of the sizable game, Roosevelt does not want to visit the Congo Free State for fear of controversy. A lion is Roosevelt’s primary goal. Per Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice, Roosevelt will hire “a white man who knows the country.” William C. Judd has been recommended several times. Selous will order all of the equipment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt encloses a check for three hundred pounds and requests that it be put to his credit. Additionally, he asks that the necessary sum be disbursed to Captain Arthur A. Slatter to pay for certain horses which he is supposed to buy for Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt requests that Ambassador Reid explain to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes that his African trip is a scientific expedition to collect specimens for the National Museum, not “a game butchering trip.” However, if given the opportunity, Roosevelt may collect some trophies. The invitation from the chancellor of Oxford, George Nathaniel Curzon, to present the Romanes lecture gives Roosevelt a genuine reason to visit England on his return from Africa. He details his travel itinerary, plans for appropriate formal attire, and people to call upon. Roosevelt is interested in what the Japanese minister for foreign affairs Jutarō Komura says and includes his letter to Japanese ambassador Kogoro Takahira and the reply. Reid’s full statement on the incidents of the Olympics pleases Roosevelt, who believes intense international matches inevitably result in misunderstandings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20