Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
William Hone letter to J. Drake, Jr., concerning a transcript of part of Holinshed's Chronicles
Image not available
Manuscripts
Image not available
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
This letter by William Halley, which is on letterhead for The sun printing and publishing company, is written to Canadian author Henry J. Morgan. In it, Halley mentions his book Hand-Book of the California Legislature and asks Morgan for a copy of his most recent handbook publication. Halley also talks about the California Constitutional Convention planned for the fall of 1878. He says "I think there are many things in the Canadian system that could be introduced here with advantage...." He also asks Morgan to send him a copy of the statutes of Canada "if they do not cost too much." Halley also states "I believe Canada is far ahead of California in the possession of just and equitable laws."
mssHM 72877
Image not available
Manuscripts
The four letters that Draper wrote to Benson J. Lossing in 1855 (Jan. 9, Feb. 28, May 7, and June 20) discuss the affairs of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and its at times tense relationship with the state legislature, the goings on in Madison, Draper's research for his book on Daniel Boone. The latter portion lists many interviews he had conducted, including his attempts to contact the family of J.J. Audubon. The letter of April 18, 1864 mentions a proposal to publish a childrens' edition of biography of Daniel Boone ("about the size of Mayer's 'Pioneer Boy & How he became President'), intended to alleviate Draper's financial circumstances, discusses his literary plans, and acquistion of the papers of Daniel Drake (1785-1852).
mssHM 70871-70875
Image not available
Manuscripts
An autograph, signed letter from David Wood, a member of the West Virginia 1st Cavalry Regiment; he is writing to a former member of the regiment, William J. Hiles. The letter is written from Camp Russell, Virginia, and contains news of many fellow soldiers in the regiment, some of whom have had horses shot out from under them or had been wounded in various battles; Wood also mentions some who have been ill and left the Army or have deserted. The letter is beginning to tear along the folds and there is an old repair along the top of the letter. Enclosed with the letter is the back only of a pictorial envelope.
mssHM 84102
Image not available
Manuscripts
William writes that his plans to bring Edward to California have been delayed, as William has not yet had a chance to purchase a tract of land for farming and cattle. Nonetheless, he writes, "in a short time Sonoro & Chihuahua will belong to the U.S." and so there will be plenty of opportunity for surveying; William recommends that Edward "follow the study in its higher branches." He also recommends drafting and that Edward "be a more skillful penman."
mssHM 4217
Image not available
Manuscripts
Harrison sends instructions to McArthur during the War of 1812 for the transport of troops, ammunition and supplies from Fort Meigs across Lake Erie. Harrison mentions that he wants to get across the lake as soon as possible himself and urges McArthur to do the same. Written and certified as a true copy by Harrison's aide-de-camp John Speed Smith.
mssHM 23023
Image not available
Manuscripts
Letter from William Raymond to his mother and sister, written from San Pedro, California, shortly after Raymond had returned from an oceanography research trip on Catalina Island. Raymond was in charge of hydrographic work for the expedition, as well as lending his expertise in conchiferous mollusca. He accompanied William E. Ritter, a professor of zoology at U.C. Berkeley who in 1903 secured funding from Ellen Browning Scripps and E.W. Scripps to found the Marine Biological Association of San Diego, which later became the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Raymond's fellow researchers included zoologists Charles A. Kofoid and Calvin O. Esterly, as well as men named Cady, Bancroft, and Jorrey. The letter also mentions work being done by geologist Ida Shepard Oldroyd and zoologist Alice Robertson. Raymond writes of dredging work near Silver Canyon, in the harbor at Avalon near the Isthmus, at Little Harbor, and at Long Point. He describes the topography of the ocean floor and of "small but good" harvesting results. Raymond writes of the types of conch shells collected, some of which were "new to the trip, if not undescribed." They later discovered a few "extremely rare species...so rare that Mrs. Oldroyd says that have not even at Washington a good one." Raymond writes extensively of the sorting and preserving process, as well as answering his mother's questions about his cooking and camping conditions. He mentions sailing to the island on the Banning brothers' steamer Hermosa, and notes that "the Bannings are trying to start a new town at the Isthmus," although in Raymond's opinion "better places for a town might be imagined." Back in San Pedro he reflected on the future of such expeditions, noting that "Ritter is in a quandary about how to keep the work going." He was optimistic that "L.A. people seem enthusiastic about our work" and that a donor had given $25 at a recent lecture. Raymond hoped that "there will be something for our expenses" and thought he might not make further research trips. Includes envelope.
mssHM 78779