Uganda

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease

President Roosevelt received Alfred E. Pease’s letter on the same day as an invitation from William Northrup McMillan, and he has asked McMillan to contact Pease, Frederick Courteney Selous and Edward North Buxton for making arrangements. Sirdar F. R. Wingate has offered a boat in Gondokoro, and from there Roosevelt will hunt for white rhinoceros before tackling game from the exhaustive list of creatures Pease has said can be found on the Nile. Roosevelt is glad he will be able to restock supplies in Nairobi. At present Roosevelt’s time is consumed by the political campaigns in the United States. He hopes to see Harry Johnston soon, with whom he has an ongoing intellectual correspondence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Northrup McMillan

President Roosevelt thanks William Northrup McMillan for the invitation to stay at the farm in Nairobi, and says he will likely come after staying with Alfred E. Pease and before taking the trip McMillan suggested. Roosevelt will be joined by Kermit Roosevelt and General Edgar Alexander Mearns, and he will be shooting specimens for the National Museum. For further planning Roosevelt asks McMillan to be in contact with Edward North Buxton, Frederick Courteney Selous, and Pease. After going through British East Africa Roosevelt will go on to the Nile and meet Sirdar F. R. Wingate and Leigh S. J. Hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to F. R. Wingate

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for the interesting letter, especially for the insight on Newfoundland. He is interested in what Secretary of State of India John Morley says about India, and discusses the intricacies surrounding “the control of thickly peopled tropical regions by self-governing northern democracies.” Roosevelt hopes to speak with Morley after presenting the Romanes lecture at Oxford. He asks Reid to inquire of the British statesman, Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, about conditional hunting on the reserves. The Vermont elections went well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

Although initially reluctant, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he will hire a white hunter as advised by Frederick Courteney Selous. He agrees with Buxton about taking shorter trips, but he does want to go where J. H. Patterson went and see “scores” of diverse game. Roosevelt inquires if three months is enough time for the trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Lyman

Theodore Roosevelt will speak on Uganda and the White Nile as Theodore Lyman suggests. He asks if he can speak on December 12 instead of 13 and will gladly dine with Lyman before the meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Zakaria Kizito Kisingiri

Theodore Roosevelt is very glad that the Ugandan royalty and officials were able to attend the coronation of King George V of England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. M. Corwin

Theodore Roosevelt shares A. M. Corwin’s concerns about Carl Ethan Akeley, particularly as he has heard reports that Akeley was injured by an elephant and has been suffering from a fever. When he saw Akeley in Africa, Roosevelt tried to convince him to be satisfied with taking an elephant with tusks weighing sixty pounds each and to return home and have his specimen mounted. Akeley, however, would not consent to do so, wishing to travel on to Uganda to pursue gorilla.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leslie J. Tarlton

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-25

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

President Roosevelt discusses the various supplies, including food and drink, that he should bring on his safari. He tells Frederick Courteney Selous that he does not want the trip to be too luxurious, and does not want to bring very much alcohol. He also discusses the type of guns he should use and when he intends to leave for Africa. Selous’s friend Charles Sheldon recently visited Roosevelt and told about his hunting experiences in Alaska. Roosevelt has been invited to give the Romanes lecture in Oxford in 1910, and will be going to England after he leaves Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

After thinking it over, President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion and hire a white man to manage the caravan on his safari. Roosevelt is going on holiday and wants to devote his time and attention to hunting and natural history, rather than managing the party. Selous has recommended William C. Judd. He agrees with Buxton’s idea about taking several shorter hunting trips, and discusses where he would like to go.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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 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 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 J. H. Patterson

President Roosevelt hopes that J. H. Patterson’s health will improve so that he and his wife can visit the United States soon. He discusses his potential itineraries for his upcoming African safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt encloses several proposed itineraries for his upcoming African safari. He thinks it wise to wait to decide on an exact plan 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 Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous was able to hire R. J. Cunninghame to manage his upcoming safari. He agrees with Selous about how to engage Shikari guides, and thinks it wise to ship most of his supplies to Nairobi and leave logistics to Cunninghame’s judgment. Roosevelt tells Selous that he likely will not go straight to Nairobi when he arrives in Africa, as he wants to avoid press and public attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919