Manuscripts

Wilbur Fisk Sanders manuscripts

Image not available

Description: HM 80811. This manuscript (8 pages) is about General Henry Atkinson (1782-1842) and his expedition to the Yellowstone River in 1825. General Atkinson and his fellow commissioner left Fort Atkinson on May 16, 1825, and ascended the Missouri river, negotiating treaties of friendship with tribes of the upper Missouri, including several bands of the Sioux tribe. Sanders also briefly mentions the Arikara people, transcontinental railroad, and fur merchants in St. Louis. This manuscript appears to be incomplete.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: approximately 1878.
Call number: mssHM 80811-80816
Creator: Sanders, Wilbur Fisk (1834-1905)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Dawson's, June 21, 1961.
Find out more

Isaac Ingalls Stevens letter to Henry R. Crosbie

Manuscripts

In this letter to Henry R. Crosbie, Stevens outlines instructions for negotiating treaties with several Native American tribes dwelling in Washington Territory, with the assistance of "Sub Agent" Andrew Bolon. Stevens instructs Crosbie to establish a camp and depot near the Spokane River by early September, 1855. Once this task is completed, Stevens hopes Crosbie will remain to provide information about the gold mining in the area.

mssHM 17429

Image not available

James Madison, Washington, D.C., commission to William Clark, Ninian Edwards, Auguste Chouteau :

Manuscripts

Appointing Governor of Missouri Territory William Clark, Governor of Illinois Territory Ninian Edwards, and Auguste Chouteau of the Missouri Territory as commissioners with full power to conference and sign treaties with Indian nations situated on the Mississippi River. Countersigned by James Monroe as Secretary of State.

mssHM 3991

Image not available

The Cherokee War Path

Manuscripts

This hand-written manuscript is the story of a Cherokee war party's travels from Arkansas to the Tawakenoes (Three Canes) settlement along the Brazos River in east-central Texas. Their route, taken in 1827, went south to the Mexican border in order to pick up more warriors from the Texas bands of Cherokee. The narrative includes descriptions of other Cherokee tribes, the organization and rituals of the Cherokee nation, the natural landscape, and a few specific Cherokee warriors.

mssHM 1730

Image not available

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

Image not available

Andrew Johnson, Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., appointment of Thomas Murphy, John B. Sanborn, Kit Carson, William W. Bent :

Manuscripts

Appointment of Kit Carson, William W. Bent, Brigadier General J.B. (John Benjamin) Sanborn, and Superintendent for Indian Affairs for the Central Superintendency Thomas Murphy as "Commissioners to negotiate a treaty or treaties, under instructions of the Secretary of Interior, with the Comanche, Kiowa, Arrapahoe [Arapaho] and Apache Indians, who have agreed to meet at Bluff Creek below the mouth of the Little Arkansas River, on the fourth day of October next, to enter into a treaty of peace with the United States." Signed by Andrew Johnson.

mssHM 13238

Image not available

Glen Canyon rafting trip manuscript

Manuscripts

This manuscript, a mimeographed copy, provides a detailed account of a recreational raft trip through Glen Canyon on the Colorado River, in Utah, during the summer of 1958. The anonymous author describes the river, the scenery, the behavior of and interactions of the members of the excursion and their enjoyment of the adventure. There is a full-page map of their route and two pages of illustrations. The last six pages lists the 36 participants of the trip.

mssHM 83993

Wilbur Fisk Sanders manuscripts

Opening Hours

Admission Info and Tickets

You might also be interested in

Isaac Ingalls Stevens letter to Henry R. Crosbie

James Madison, Washington, D.C., commission to William Clark, Ninian Edwards, Auguste Chouteau :

The Cherokee War Path

Electus Backus manuscript and letters

Andrew Johnson, Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., appointment of Thomas Murphy, John B. Sanborn, Kit Carson, William W. Bent :

Glen Canyon rafting trip manuscript