Manuscripts
Electus Backus diaries and letters
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Electus Backus manuscript and letters
Manuscripts
The manuscript relates Backus' experiences with the First Infantry Regiment during the Mexican War, from his departure from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in May 1846, until he left Vera Cruz in July 1848 to return home to the United States. Backus describes in detail his regiment's march; their occupations of Burita, Reinoso, Veracruz and Mexico City; the Battle of Monterrey; his time in charge of the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa; and the violence which continued after the official end of the war. Backus specifically mentions Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, Mariano Arista, Antonio Canales, and Antonio López de Santa Anna. At the end of the manuscript are several newspaper clippings regarding Electus Backus and the Mexican War. Accompanying the manuscript are two letters written by Backus further describing his experience in the Mexican War. The letters are addressed to Senator Alpheus Felch and to Backus' father-in-law, General Hugh Brady. The manuscript and letters may have been written by Backus to support his request for a promotion. There are also several sketches of Monterrey, which are drawn by Backus.
mssHM 66663-66666
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Electus Backus diary
Manuscripts
The diary (48 pages), which covers November 23, 1851-April 18, 1852, details Backus's experience as commander of Fort Defiance, Arizona, and particularly the army's interactions with the Navajo, the Hopi, and the Apache Indians, including the Indians coming to the fort to trade and buy supplies, Backus's relationships with various Navajo chiefs, and failed treaty negotiations with the Navajo by Edwin Sumner and Territorial Governor James S. Calhoun. Backus also describes his frustration with late supply shipments, his fear that his troops will starve, and the various problems brought on with the winter weather including the death of cattle and horses. Backus also mentions gold and "jewel" mines in the area
mssHM 66248
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Richard C. Backus travel diary
Manuscripts
The travel diary documents Richard C. Backus' road trip from New York to Los Angeles with typewritten notes and labeled photographs. The diary includes details regarding their trip and the various people and places they visited along the way through Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The typewritten notes include details about miles driven, car trouble and repairs (the group traveled in three vehicles), and road and weather conditions. The diary also includes a hand-drawn map of the group's driving route.
mssHM 84014
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Diary of His Expedition to Northern California
Manuscripts
The manuscript diary signed twice by Esteban José Martínez, the officer commanding the expedition to San Lorenzo de Nuca, which he undertook by order of the Viceroy of New Spain. This manuscript diary was written from his own rough notes jotted down during his voyage, as he states at the end of this manuscript. Text in Spanish. Included is a vocabulary in the Hawaiian language.
mssHM 529
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W. Frederick Mayes diary
Manuscripts
This diary, kept by W. Frederick Mayes, begins on November 22, 1869 and continues to November 27, 1870. Mayes kept this diary while he was in Honduras building a railroad. He talks about the railroad, his fellow employees, the local people, the villages he comes to, the weather, the geography, etc. He specifically talks about Chamelecón, the Chamelecón River, and the villages of El Chapparo and El Espino, Honduras. Mayes drew several sketches in his diary. These sketches include scenery, villages and people.
mssHM 52253
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Samuel Breck diary
Manuscripts
This diary, kept by Samuel Breck from 1841 to 1846, includes almost daily entries by Breck. In it, he talks about his personal life and family, businesses, philanthropy, the financial conditions in Pennsylvania and the United States, and bank closures, as well as local and federal politics. He talks about the government of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. He makes several comments regarding President John Tyler and his policies, Washington D.C., and Congress; he also talks about the funeral of President William Henry Harrison shortly after he was elected. The majority of the diary, however, is filled with writing regarding various miscellaneous topics such as astronomy, science, geology, religion, music, history, etc. He also talks about Daniel Webster, a friend of Breck's, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. There are also several hand-drawn sketches by Breck in the diary. One sketch entitled "A Gerrymander," shows an animal and a map of several counties in Ohio; on the same page, Breck talks about gerrymandering going on in Ohio at the time. The volume has newspaper clippings and various other items glued into it.
mssHM 75113