Manuscripts

J.L. Morrison letters to Medorem Crawford

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Description: In these two letters, which Morrison wrote from San Andreas and Marysville, California, he discusses money that is owed to him, a letter he is expecting from Crawford, and his intention to return to Oregon.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1855-1856.
Call number: mssHM 67958-67959
Creator: Morrison, J. L(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Gift of Fred Lockley, June 3, 1947.
Associated people: Crawford, Medorem, (1819-1891,)
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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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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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Ronald Crawford letter to Medorem Crawford

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother Medorem, Ronald Crawford writes of his struggles searching for gold. Incomplete; only first three pages of letter.

mssHM 31269

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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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John D. Crawford letter to Medorem Crawford

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother, John D. Crawford asks for as many blankets as possible to be sent to California, for they are sorely needed, and also includes a few details of other business and debts.

mssHM 31266

J.L. Morrison letters to Medorem Crawford

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Medorem Crawford letter to "Dear Grandfather,"

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