Edward Clymer journal of an expedition in the Wyoming Territory

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  Manuscript account of George Clymer

  Manuscripts

  The first 13 pages of Clymer's manuscript contain notes from his journals, with random observations, about his time in Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Monterey. Clymer talks about the people he sees, their clothes, customs, dwellings, etc. He also describes California's weather, landscape, agriculture and crops. The remaining 83 pages are written in a narrative style and concern Clymer's time in South America, including Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Clymer also briefly discusses the political history of the area, touching on the Peru-Bolivian Confederation in the late 1830s, and mentioning the lengthy string of wars fought in Peru and elsewhere since independence from Spain; as well as, the effects of civil war in Bolivia. He also talks about his voyage in the Pacific, the sea creatures he sees, the calmness of the Pacific Ocean, etc. The manuscript has numerous corrections and additions, indicating that Clymer perhaps intended it for publication, or at least for a more personal public audience.

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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."

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  Diary of Daniel H. McAllister [microform] : 1876-1877

  Manuscripts

  Microfilm of the diary of Daniel H. McAllister, kept from 1876-1877 while he was traveling between Utah and Arizona. The volume opens with a brief autobiography, including McAllister's decision to travel to Arizona in 1876. He records in detail his journey from Salt Lake City to Pima County. Once in Arizona his entries focus on daily activities such as digging ditches, cutting timber, agricultural work, and attending meetings. Later entries also cover his 1877 visit to Utah, including stops in Salt Lake City and St. George.

  MSS MFilm 00258

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  Autograph letter of Doctor George Clymer

  Manuscripts

  The Cyane was launched in 1837 and served in the Pacific from November 1841 to October 1844, sailing again for the Pacific in August 1845 and serving in that theatre during the Mexican-American War. On July 7, 1846, her commanding officer, Captain William Mervine, led a detachment of Marines and sailors from Commodore John D. Sloat's squadron ashore at Monterey, California, hoisting the American flag at the Customs House and claiming possession of the city and all of present day California.

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  Diary of William Nelson [microform] : 1877-1900

  Manuscripts

  Microfilm of the diary of William Nelson, kept in St. George from 1877-1900. The first several frames contain a family record for William's grandparents, James Nelson and Sarah Alcock, and a biography of his father Aaron Nelson (1823-1908) and his second wife Selina Palfreyman Nelson (1843-1930). The biography describes Aaron and William's journey to the United States, their work in Salt Lake City, and Aaron's involvement in the Black Hawk Indian War in Sanpete County. William Nelson's diary includes very brief daily entries made from February 1877 to October 1900. He writes of his work shoemaking and of traveling around Cedar Ridge and Parowan playing music, often with his father. Most of the entries focus on his daily activities such as digging ditches and attending choir practice at the St. George Temple, the weather, and news about various family members and acquaintances. The final page of the diary includes notes on William's children.

  MSS MFilm 00086

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  Thomas W. Thompson journal

  Manuscripts

  The diary that Thompson began upon his graduation from Harvard in July 1786 and kept throughout the year. Detailed, candid entries record the busy social life of the young Harvard graduate in Byfield and Franklin. Included are records of frequent trips to Newburyport, Wrentham, Boston, and Providence, R.I. The latter accompanied by a sketch of Brown University. In his diary Thompson recaps sermons and public lectures by Nathanael Emmons, David Sanford, Samuel Spring, and others, including Noah Webster's lectures on the English language and education; a "Lafayette evening," and other social and political events. The journal contains lively records of his encounters and conversations with Theophilus Bradbury, Theophilus Parsons, Nathanael Emmons, Samuel Spring, and other notables; many entries contain snippets of dialogue such as lively exchange on the "the manners of Virginians" including George Washington. The diary also reflects Thompson's thoughts on his reading and studies, his religious views, reflections on the nature of religion, Deism, and "natural philosophy," political opinions, and his considerable anxiety about his future.

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