Manuscripts
Oscar A. Wikeen letter to Roger Gurley
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Enoch Root letters
Manuscripts
The letters are addressed to several of Root's friends and family members while he was traveling around Europe (1858-1859), mining in Colorado (1862), and in the Union Army at Sulphur Springs, and Pilot Knob, Missouri (1863). In the letters Root talks about his travels throughout Switzerland and France, and impending war in Europe, and his experience in the mining town of Laurette, CO, now known as Buckskin Joe, CO. In the letters before he joined the U.S. army, Root often conveys his feelings about slavery and the Civil War; in the two letters after he joined the army, he talks about his experience as a soldier, although his regiment had yet to see action
mssHM 63411-63427
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Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to Hiram T. Graves
Manuscripts
Crosby contests his suspension from the Knights Templar for "non payment of dues." He states that he "handed the full amount of fees for initiation, to one of the Sir Knights who attended my preparation and initiation." He defends himself by explaining his financial situation at the time and currently, and by listing his various political contributions in California during his career. He relates that he had to end his political career due to problems with his vision. He hopes that he has provided a sufficient case for reinstatement, and would like to remain in good graces in case his son becomes a Knight Templar one day.
mssHM 21251
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André Michaux letters to André Thouin
Manuscripts
In these letters, which are written to André Thouin, Michaux's friend and chief gardener of the King's Garden (King Louis XV), both Michauxs discuss their trip to America to study its botany. They talk about the trees and plants they see, grow and collect. More specifically, André talks about some local gardens he grew to produce seeds and specimens. Several of the letters include lists of American trees, plants and seeds, some of which were shipped to France (André worries about the shipments getting to France amongst the chaos of the political upheaval). In one letter, André talks about hoping to correct some of Linnaeus' errors and beat any English publication of his findings. In the letter by Thouin, he talks about the political environment in France (at the beginning of the French Revolution). Eight of the letters are written by André Michaux; two by his son François André; one by André Thouin; and one by Andre Claude Limozin. The letters by the Michauxs are written from New York, NY, Charleston, SC and Philadelphia, PA. All of the letters are in French.
mssHM 71883-71894
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Jairus Beal diary
Manuscripts
The journal covers the voyage on the barque Apthorp from New York to Havana, then to Antwerp and then to Boston. Beal talks about the voyage and his crew members, but also reminisces about his youth and childhood days, talks about religion and his religious beliefs. He makes a few comments about his experience in Havana. Parts of the journal are written to Beal's wife; he often talks about their marriage, the prospect of having children and relationships and love in general. The second half of his journal is a daily log of the voyage starting March 31 and ending August 26 after their arrival in Sydney. Beal gives the ship's position, wind conditions, etc.
mssHM 72868
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William B. Le Couteulx letter to "Mon Cher Monsieur et ami,"
Manuscripts
This letter, written in French by Le Couteulx in Buffalo, New York, to a friend in France, describes in detail the Franklin shipwreck off New York and how the author and his family were saved. The letter also provides specific information about the Know Nothing Party, a political movement of the time characterized by anti-immigration, mostly anti-Catholic, sentiment. More specifically Le Couteulx talks about a Catholic church being burned to the ground and attempts to "burn other churches." He also talks about Catholic clergy being fined as a result of their actions.
mssHM 77963
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George Gregory letters
Manuscripts
George Gregory wrote these 10 letters to his fiancée, Anne Hemings, in London after his arrival in New York. He talks in detail about: his attempt to find work, his financial problems, his lodgings, his meals, the trials of separation, etc. He also talks a lot about the Americans in New York, their manners and their clothes.
mssHM 81175-81184