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Lewis Morris Iddings forwards a letter from Sir F. R. Wingate to President Roosevelt regarding Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-03
A memorandum calls for the creation of a new file called “Special African Trip.” The enclosed letter from F. R. Wingate should be placed into this file.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-17
The Earl of Selborne invites President Roosevelt to stay with him, should the reports of his making a hunting trip to South Africa be true. Edward North Buxton outlines an itinerary that Roosevelt could follow for his hunting trip in Africa, and states that he believes that 12 months is too long to spend in the wilderness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-01
Edward North Buxton forwards President Roosevelt some letters from his cousins describing their experiences in British East Africa. He also advises Roosevelt about who the proper people would be to contact regarding his upcoming time in Africa, and predicts that they will all enthusiastically help Roosevelt gain access to the best places for hunting. Buxton acknowledges that the route Roosevelt takes will depend on the time of year that he is on his safari, and says he can give more advice once Roosevelt’s plans are firmer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04
This note lists a number of books, letters, and topics that President Roosevelt has discussed and written about recently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12
Kermit Roosevelt will continue to write to Robert Harry Munro and Isabella Ferguson although he has not received a reply yet. Roosevelt recounts his hunting exploits, interactions with the indigenous peoples, and his hopes of visiting the Fergusons at Saranac after returning from Africa.
1909-12-26
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to update him on plans for their trip to Africa and encloses letters from Frederick Selous, Edward Buxton, and Reginald Wingate. He talks of celebrating Ted’s birthday and spending time talking with him. He closes by saying Archie is back at school and Sagamore is being closed up for the season.
1908-09-14
Edward North Buxton gives President Roosevelt advice about his upcoming safari, including where he should go and what he should bring. Buxton encourages Roosevelt to pay close attention to the time tables of T. Broadwood Johnson, a missionary in Uganda, as well as follow the advice of Johnson and Alfred E. Pease, who are familiar with the area.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07
President Roosevelt is determined to shoot a white rhinoceros on his African safari, and would like Ambassador Reid to speak with Lord Crewe about his obtaining permission to hunt in the same places in Uganda as Winston Churchill did. He would like Reid to inquire if the British Museum would like a white rhinoceros specimen if he is lucky enough to shoot three; the first two are promised to the Smithsonian Institution. He discusses a number of international events including the situation in India, and the ongoing controversy between the United States and England that arose during the summer Olympics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-27
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-12
When he is in Africa, President Roosevelt would like to hunt at William Northrup McMillan’s farm, as well as stay at Alfred E. Pease’s, but he will defer to Pease’s judgment on the matter. He is very excited by Pease’s description of all the animals he can shoot along the Nile. Roosevelt discusses when and where he will procure supplies along the way. He must now turn his attention to the presidential election in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that he intends to visit Sir William Northrup McMillan’s farm in Africa, but will first visit and stay at Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. Gerrit Forbes, a young Harvard man who just returned from a hunting trip in Africa, would like to go with Roosevelt to help manage his caravan. However, Roosevelt believes he will go with the more experienced William C. Judd. Pease suggested that F. R. Wingate could provide Roosevelt with leather stockings. Roosevelt must now turn most of his attention to helping William H. Taft win the presidency.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-25
Now that President Roosevelt understands the situation regarding the reserves in Africa, he tells Edward North Buxton that he does not intend to go into them unless other public officers are allowed. He does wonder if he would be allowed to shoot certain protected specimens for the National Museum. He discusses the timeline of his trip through British East Africa and up the Nile. Finally, Roosevelt further ponders Frederick Courteney Selous’s suggestion that he hire a white man like William C. Judd to manage his caravan while he hunts. He asks Buxton to speak with Selous about it and then provide his thoughts on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12
President Roosevelt asks Edward North Buxton if it is possible for the same firm that made his boots to make a pair of mosquito boots for himself and his son Kermit. Buxton should get a list of the provisions that Lawn and Alder are providing for Roosevelt, and has permission to make changes. Alfred E. Pease’s description of his ranch is very tempting for Roosevelt, and he is excited to hunt there. Roosevelt is trying to minimize the loss of ammunition that he is having shipped for the hunt, and will try to think of the safari as a holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
President Roosevelt updates Alfred E. Pease on his thoughts about various supplies that he needs for his upcoming safari. He explains that he only wants to hunt in British East Africa and Nyanza, and then travel from Gondokoro to Khartoum. The animal he wants to get the most is a lion. He has decided to take Frederick Courteney Selous’s advice and hire a white man to manage his caravan so that he is free to enjoy his trip. He intends to hire William C. Judd unless Pease objects.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
President Roosevelt clarifies for Ambassador Reid that on his African safari, he intends only to shoot specimens for the National Museum, with the exception of half a dozen trophies for himself, if he is able to shoot extras under his license. He discusses at length is plans for traveling through Europe following the safari. He accepts that he will have to see various heads of state in the countries he visits, and informs Reid that he will be delivering the Romanes lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt approves of the Japanese plan to postpone their international exposition until 1917 and wants to help them “put a good face” on the situation. He agrees with Reid’s assessment of various incidents at the Olympic games. However, Roosevelt stresses that all public statements about the Olympics should be positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-19
President Roosevelt tells Edward North Buxton that his son Kermit wants the same shoes that Buxton ordered for him. He also asks Buxton to forward an enclosed unsealed letter to Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt discusses travel plans for his upcoming safari. He is debating whether to start at Pease’s ranch, or to take a trip into the desert. Although he appreciates Buxton’s suggestions, he believes he will not go to Uganda.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
President Roosevelt outlines his travel plans and schedule for his upcoming safari in Africa for Ambassador Reid. He wants Reid to make clear that he only intends to shoot specimens for the Smithsonian Institution, and perhaps a few extra trophies for himself and his son Kermit. He does not want special treatment in any of the countries he will pass through, although he would appreciate any game reserves being opened for him if possible. If it is not possible for him to travel through Europe without fanfare during the months following the safari, Roosevelt will likely return straight home to America. If he does travel through Europe with his family, he would like the American diplomats to make it clear that he is traveling as a former president and does not want to meet heads of governments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-20