Manuscripts

Robert Newell letter to Medorem Crawford

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Description: Writing from Lewiston, Idaho, Newell writes of his duties as "Indian Agent," including the building of a mill, widespread repairs to existing buildings, and the construction of a school for the Indian children. He also reports of difficulties he has had with Washington (D. C.) concerning the Indian affairs.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1869, February 8.
Call number: mssHM 31275
Creator: Newell, Robert (1807-1869)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Fred Lockley, 1948, June 30.
Dimensions

Robert Newell collection of biographical materials, including his 1868 diary

Manuscripts

The volume includes transcripts of material about Robert Newell and the Nez Percé War of 1877. This material includes Newell's 1868 diary of his trip to Washington D.C. with several Nez Percé Indians including Lawyer, Jason, and Timothy, to negotiate a treaty. While in Washington, the group met with President Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Nathaniel G. Taylor. The diary also covers their overland trip back to Fort Lapwai, Idaho. There is also a typescript of a clipping regarding the unveiling of a bronze tablet dedicated to Robert Newell in 1931. Also present in the volume are typescripts of articles from the Lewiston Teller Extra from June 16-August 12, 1877, discussing the Nez Percé War

mssHM 66240

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John D. Crawford letter to Medorem Crawford

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother, John Crawford writes that he has just finished building a house for himself ten miles outside Georgetown, California. In addition, he has also built a public house at the head of Otter Creek, and hopes that it will do good business. Despite the varying success of mining in recent times, he considers his prospects for the next year to be looking well, and after that time, he hopes to settle somewhere in the west or south.

mssHM 16378

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Medorem Crawford letter to Samuel G. Crawford

Manuscripts

In this letter to his father, Medorem Crawford laments the war with the Cayuse Indians, which he describes as "truly a death blow to Oregon for several years unless the U.S. Govt. comes this summer & pays the expenses of the war." He does not think the provisional government of the territory will be able to continue much longer, and describes the effects on the people settled there. He also relates news of his own business and family.

mssHM 31272

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A.G. Henry letter to Medorem Crawford

Manuscripts

A. G. Henry discusses mutual business colleague Mr. Sparks, whom Crawford has claimed "has rendered himself too obnoxious to retain his position, and any effort to retain him will injure his friends." However, he also writes of a "wicked conspiracy" with the intent "of depreciating my character & influence both in the Territory and here in Washington." He goes on to say that he has found "letters and petitions charging me with dishonesty, incompetency, and Dysloyalty" that he claims are "officially endorsed" by "prominent Citizens."

mssHM 31273

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Medorem Crawford letter to "Dear Grandfather,"

Manuscripts

In this letter to his otherwise unnamed grandfather, Medorem Crawford writes about his experience aboard the military barque "Torrent" en route from Fort Vancouver "on which our Battery was embarked." The ship wrecked, and Crawford endeavored to "save as many of the one hundred and sixty people aboard as possible." Once gaining shore in Alaska at Fort Kodiak, Crawford writes that "we are about as poor as poverty can make us" and that "this is a miserably poor country fit for nothing but the furs which abound here." In addition, he writes that "one of the greatest objections I have to the country is that there are from ten to a dozen earthquakes here every year. Caused by two active volcanoes which are within a hundred & fifty miles of here."

mssHM 31268

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Charles E. (Charles Edward) Pickett letter to Medorem Crawford

Manuscripts

Mr. Pickett informs Mr. Crawford that he will be arriving soon, and wishes his horses to not be disposed of, especially the mare. He also asks for potatoes and a few bushels of oats. Corner of letter missing.

mssHM 16376

Robert Newell letter to Medorem Crawford

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Robert Newell collection of biographical materials, including his 1868 diary

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Charles E. (Charles Edward) Pickett letter to Medorem Crawford