Manuscripts
George Forby letter to Elizabeth Dowd Forby
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George Horatio Derby letter to Martha Hitchcock
Manuscripts
In this letter to Mrs. Hitchcock, Derby apologizes for being unable to keep his promise to write sooner, owing to ill health. He writes of mutual acquaintances, and reports that his latest book will soon be published. Includes envelope.
mssHM 19338
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George Willing Clymer letter to Mary Willing Clymer
Manuscripts
Letter sent by George Clymer to his mother while he sailed on the Constellation for his first deployment as a US Navy apprentice surgeon. The Constellation set sail from New York on August 14, 1829, and arrived in the West Channel near Cowes, England, on September 11. Clymer begins by briefly recounting the "gloomy epistle of a landsman" that he had sent to his father regarding the difficult ocean crossing, and relating his excitement at finally spotting land off the Isle of Wight. Much of Clymer's detailed and eloquent letter is devoted to describing the scenery and towns he saw in England, along with historical anecdotes. After being allowed to go ashore he explored Cowes, which he noted was "different from the towns I had seen in America, and wears and air and aspect of a city." He was also struck by the "roast-beef and porter corporations, and the ruddy faces of the well-fed Englishmen," and widely praised the island's roads and means of transportation. He visited West Cowes Castle and the Royal Yacht Club and gives an extended description of attending afternoon tea at a hotel. After being denied permission to travel to London, Clymer returned to the Isle of Wight, seeing Carisbrooke Castle, Appuldurcombe Park and Mansion, Parkhurst Forest, the Albany Barracks, Newport, and Norris and East Cowes Castles. On a subsequent shore leave he briefly traveled to Portsmouth Harbor, Portsea, Portsmouth, and Southampton. On returning to his ship for the last time, he wrote that "I can now declare that I have passed [in England] fifty of the happiest hours of my life." He later cooled his opinion somewhat, lamenting the "extravagant beyond expectation" costs in England (which he recorded in some detail) compared to those in the United States, the "knaves" who charged higher prices to Americans, and the necessity of tipping servants. He concluded that he found the English "polite, but grossly ignorant of America." After being refused a gun salute by British naval officers, the Constellation circumnavigated the Isle of Wight and set sail south on September 21. Clymer compares the Spanish and African coasts, writes of being impressed by the town and fortress of Gibraltar, describes the Mediterranean Sea, and notes passing the islands of Formentera and Majorca. The Constellation approached Mahon Harbor in Minorca, where they were to meet the ship Delaware, on October 15, but a major storm blew the ship back out to sea. It finally reached the harbor on October 18, and Clymer concluded that "we had performed a voyage of 1500 miles in 28 days; the time we required in sailing twice that distance from New York to Cowes."
mssHM 79957
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George S. Patton letters to Eleanor Banning Macfarland and John Cobb Macfarland
Manuscripts
Two letters from General George S. Patton (1885-1945) to his cousin Eleanor Banning Macfarland and her husband John Cobb Macfarland. The letter to Eleanor is dated October 21, 1918, and was written while Patton was recovering from a leg wound he received in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during World War I. Patton congratulates Eleanor on the birth of her daughter, Anne Banning Macfarland Brown (who had been born in July), sends his best wishes to various relatives, and notes that "I will be out [of the hospital] in a week or so...and can get back in the show and have some fun" (Patton returned to duty on October 28 but saw no further action before the armistice of November 11). The letter to John Macfarland is dated October 8, 1940. Patton thanks Macfarland for his congratulations (probably on Patton's promotion to brigadier general on October 2). Patton writes that "if and when" the United States entered World War II, he hopes he will "have the guts to put my theories of personal leadership into action." He further notes that he feels that he is "better situated to be killed than most as I have had out of life about all there is to get." He also comments on missing the recently deceased Eleanor, who was "very like a sister" to him.
mssHM 78061-78062
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Last will and testament
Manuscripts
Ortega's will states where and how he would like his estate to be dispersed. He had five sons and five daughters. Witnessed and signed by Dámaso Rodriguez and Francisco Cota. In Spanish.
mssHM 16299
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George W. Goethals letter to William R. Scott
Manuscripts
Typed letter signed on Isthmian Canal Commission letterhead and marked "Personal" from George W. Goethals, chief engineer of the Panama Canal to William R. Scott, author of the soon to be published, Americans in Panama. The letter discusses the time table for the first ship to pass through the canal and what must be accomplished such as the completion of lock gates and the state of the Culebra Cut (also known as the Gaillard Cut). He estimates the approximate date for first passage as late September, 1913. Goethals goes on to run through the construction, labor and associated costs. He is still uncertain as to how far under the $375,000,000 estimate the Canal will ultimately cost as certain costs were not figured into the original estimates. The letter concludes with cost figures and estimates on excavation for the Culebra Cut. According to Goethals, the original estimate of 196,000,000 cubic yards to be removed will probably increase by 25,000,000 cubic yards.
mssHM 16528
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George Fitman letter to "dear uncle,"
Manuscripts
George Fitman writes to his otherwise unidentified uncle that he has recovered from a severe case of "tifoid fever" that came close to claiming his life. As a result, he is in a bad way, out of money and unable to work. He gives a description of San Francisco, and describes the plights and experiences of the gold miner.
mssHM 19476