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President Roosevelt inquires if Annie Montague Alexander will allow Edmund Heller to accompany him on his African safari. Roosevelt intends to make the trip a scientific one and collect samples for the United States National Museum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-08
Edmund Heller spoke with Charles D. Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and decided at the last minute to join Paul James Rainey’s expedition to Africa on behalf of the National Museum. He did not realize that Theodore Roosevelt had intended to write to Walcott requesting that Heller not go so that he could focus on writing reports on the specimens collected from his own African expedition. Heller explains that no other qualified man is available to go, and lists the ways that this expedition will assist him in finishing his work with Roosevelt’s collection. The paper on the white rhinoceros will be published before Heller goes, and he assures Roosevelt of his dedication to the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Edgar Alexander Mearns writes to Theodore Roosevelt to request his help in obtaining a permit for the collection of moose, caribou, and beaver for the U.S. National Museum. Kermit Roosevelt will obtain the specimens while he is in New Brunswick.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-1919
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Beniamino Mastrocinque and explains he has no hunting specimens left, as they were sent to the National Museum, and suggests contacting the museum instead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Theodore Roosevelt expresses to Frederick Courteney Selous his sympathy for the poor treatment Selous received during a scientific expedition, including health issues and bureaucratic obstacles. Roosevelt defends Selous’s integrity and scientific value, criticizes British officials for their lack of support, and reflects on his own African experiences. He praises Selous’s field observations and urges him to continue his contributions to natural history despite age and physical limitations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to New Brunswick Surveyor-General W. C. H. Grimmer to petition that his son, Kermit Roosevelt, be granted a permit to collect specimens of moose, caribou, and beaver for the United States National Museum. Kermit was asked to take on this task by the National Museum because of his work collecting specimens in East Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt approves of Dr. Ales Hrdlicka of the National Museum taking measurements and to come over for lunch or dinner if he is ever in New York City.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-13
President Roosevelt accepts Hugh H. Heatley’s invitation to hunt on his ranch in Nairobi. Roosevelt particularly wants to get buffalo and have the skins sent to the United States National Museum. He will not abuse Heatley’s courtesy and only try to get animals he has not gotten elsewhere. Roosevelt has sent Heatley’s letter to R. J. Cunninghame, who will be in charge of the safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
President Roosevelt was pleased to learn from Frederick Courteney Selous that R. J. Cunninghame had been hired to lead his upcoming African safari. He explains his current plans for the trip, hunting through East Africa for eight or nine months and then meeting boats at Gondokoro and traveling down the Nile River. Roosevelt hopes to hunt some big game to be given as specimens to the National Museum, but does not wish to indiscriminately slaughter animals while he is there. He would also like to avoid hunting in the vicinity of Nairobi, as there are sure to be newspapermen, and instead plans to head to the ranches of Sir Alfred E. Pease and Sir William Northrup McMillan at first. Roosevelt asks Cunninghame to communicate with Smith, Mackenzie & Co., and Newland, Tarlton & Co. to find out when his supplies reach Africa, and to make any arrangements necessary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-26
President Roosevelt tells F. R. Wingate, British Governor General of the Sudan, that he is very interested in F. A. Dickinson’s report concerning where to find white rhinoceros. He will try hunting at both locations that Dickinson advises. Roosevelt maintains that he has never been a lucky hunter, but eventually gets game by allowing plenty of time to find it. He does not want to “make a record bag,” but would like to hunt a variety of species to get examples to donate to the National Museum in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-07
President Roosevelt attempts to assuage F. R. Wingate’s embarrassment about previously addressing him by the wrong title, saying that “not one in ten” Americans know his proper title. Roosevelt is touched by the effort so many English people have made to help with preparations for his safari, both his friends and also various officials he is not acquainted with. He sympathizes with Wingate’s feeling about the lack of development in the Sudan, comparing it to American improvements in the Philippines, where ambitions were high, but a lack of funds disrupted the projects. Roosevelt will communicate with Wingate from Nairobi, and relates his plans for traveling and hunting. Roosevelt reflects that he “ought to feel melancholy over leaving the Presidency,” but the excitement of his upcoming safari dwarfs any such feelings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt was very interested in John St. Loe Strachey’s article about American ex-Presidents, although he is not sure if he entirely agrees with him about his own particular position. After leaving the presidency Roosevelt is looking forward to being an entirely private citizen once more, and says it would be “an unpleasant thing to be pensioned and given some honorary position.” He plans to go on a hunting safari in Africa, write for The Outlook, and, in the case of war, would like to serve in another volunteer cavalry division if he is still physically fit. Roosevelt does acknowledge, however, that his position is somewhat unique, and that the issue of how to support ex-presidents still stands in the abstract. He hopes to see Strachey sometime when he visits England, as well as Evelyn Baring Cromer and Frederick Courteney Selous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-28
President Roosevelt asks C. Ward Crampton to wait until he returns from his Africa trip before asking him to answer his letter. He thinks it will probably not be possible to grant the request, as he will be shooting for the National Museum. He does not think he will be able to bring any trophies back other than the ones for that institution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-26
President Roosevelt was glad to have Theodore Lyman at the White House. He supposes he will have to wear a helmet in Africa, but says that he hates to do it. Regarding Lyman’s request for extra specimens from the safari for the Cambridge Museum, Roosevelt reminds him that the National Museum is sending naturalists along with him. He does not think it is right to expect them to work for another museum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
President Roosevelt thanks John T. Spring for sending him the albino robin specimen, which will be preserved in the United States National Museum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-07
President Roosevelt thanks Sir William Northrup McMillan for his letter, and the invitation to stay at his ranch while on safari in British East Africa. Roosevelt outlines his initial travel plans and arrangements, and believes he will stay with McMillan after he visits Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. He discusses the different types of big game he would like himself and his son Kermit to shoot, but clarifies that his intent is to collect specimens for the National Museum, rather than to butcher game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
President Roosevelt thanks Lieutenant-Governor Jackson for his letter and advice on which outfitters to use on his trip to Africa. Roosevelt outlines his initial travel plans, and encloses an itinerary from a German officer, on which he asks Jackson’s opinion. He discusses the many kinds of animals that he and his son Kermit Roosevelt would like to shoot, and assures Jackson that the majority of the trophies will be for the National Museum. Roosevelt asks advice on the types of formal clothes to bring to Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Reid details about his plans for his African safari. Roosevelt discusses the timing and route of his trip, as well as his plans for hunting and gathering scientific specimens for the United States National Museum. Roosevelt is “delighted beyond all measure” that Sir F. R. Wingate has opened the reserves under his command to Roosevelt’s expedition. He assures Reid that he will not take too many trophies or slaughter game without cause. Roosevelt asks Reid to pass along this information to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes in the hopes that he will open the reserves in British East Africa, Uganda, and Sudan, as well as to relieve the minds of other East African provincial officials about the nature of Roosevelt’s trip. Roosevelt would also like to visit Italy, France, and England on the way home from his safari, but does not want to place undue burden on the governments of those nations. He does not wish for official state functions, but to visit old friends with his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-20
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Charles D. Walcott of a portion of a bill which empowers him to request that Walcott and Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson allow space in the National Museum and Agriculture buildings for the International Tuberculosis Congress for meetings and exhibits. In accordance with the bill, Roosevelt directs Walcott to prepare for these, and authorizes him to spend funds in order to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-03