Volume 1 — ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

LETTER OF ROBERT STUART, INDIAN AGENT, TO JOHN C. SPENCER,

SECRETARY OF WAR.

[Secretary Spencer was the father of the unfortunate Midshipman Philip Spencer, of the brig Somers, who was hanged for mutiny by the orders of Captain Mackenzie. The letter is about incursions of Canadian halfbreeds. The endorsement is by General Winfield Scott, then Commander of the Army. It is interesting as referring to the now almost extinct buffalo, then found in enormous herds, and as showing the widely scattered posts of the “Old Army,” and their various duties. General Scott’s endorsement is in a hand as minute as he himself was large.]

Washington, February 19, 1842.

Hon. John C. Spencer,

Sec’y of War.

Sir:

I have the honor to communicate in writing, the substance of the verbal information I gave you some time since, relative to the annual hunting expeditions which are made by the British half breeds of Red River, into the territory of the United States. These keen & expert hunters usually leave the colony in the month of June, after having made the necessary preparations for curing the meat of the large numbers of Buffalo which they annually slaughter. Their route is in the direction of Devil’s Lake, & thence diagonally across towards the Missouri River, the very region which abounds with Buffalo. From the information which I have received on this point 15 to 20,000 of these animals are destroyed annually by them. They also each Fall, divide into small parties and carry off much valuable furs. The bands of Sioux Indians, who are the possessors of this region are conciliated by presents of Liquor, &c.—and do not consequently attempt to molest them, nor would it be easy to prevent these incursions, if the Indians were so disposed; for the halfbreeds usually number 300 or 400 men, well armed & united under a species of discipline. * * * * * *

If measures were taken to put a stop to these expeditions, the Hudson Bay Company would be cut off from their supplies of pimegan (pemmican—Ed.) (dried and pounded Buffalo meat) upon which they rely much for subsistence; and the halfbreeds, deprived of a lucrative 317trade, would soon be compelled to separate into smaller bands, and remove farther into the North. Ohio & Michigan would then be resorted to by the agents of the Co. to obtain provisions, and the States would be so far benefitted in furnishing supplies, in lieu of those of which our own Indians & Traders are now so improperly deprived.

The halfbreeds of the North are for the most part a fierce & turbulent race, impatient of control, & so much feared by the Hudson Bay Co. that they are said to keep in pay some of their leading men, with a view to prevent outbreaks. They are not nearly so numerous as they have been represented, probably not exceeding 600 to 800 men, in all, and the white settlers, who numbered 1000 to 2000 a few years since, are mostly dispersed. I would suggest whether it might not be well to send a force, not less than 300 to 400 Dragoons, at the proper season, which would at once overawe both halfbreeds & Indians.

Sir, Your Obd’t serv’t,

Robert Stuart,

Act’g Sup’t Ind. Affairs.

Endorsement: When the 5 troops of the 2d. Dragoons, now in Florida, shall join the headquarters of the reg’t., in the So. West (say in June) the 1st Dragoons may be concentrated, or nearly so, on the Upper Missouri, & thus furnish the detachment of two or three troops wanted for the within purpose. Three troops would be sufficient—Mr. Stuart does not give the southern limits of the halfbreeds. Feb. 20, 1842.

Postscript: Of the 1st Dragoons, one troop is now at Fort Atkinson (Nebraska—Ed.), 6 are at Ft. Leavenworth, & 3 on the Arkansaw. I still think 3 or 4 troops of horse, say even 150 men, enough.

Winfield Scott.

Feb’y 25, 1842.

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AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF EDGAR ALLAN POE.

[Addressed to his uncle, William Poe, of Augusta, Ga. Dated Philadelphia, August 15, 1840. Valuable for its details of plan of a proposed new magazine, and his past connection with others.]

Dear William,

Owing to a temporary absence from town I did not receive your welcome letter of the 28th July until this morning. I now hasten to reply, and in the first place let me assure you that, if I have not lately written, it is rather because I have been overwhelmed by worldly cares which left me scarce a moment for thought, than that I do not feel for you the kindest affection as well as deep gratitude for the services yourself and brothers have so often rendered me.

Herewith I send you a prospectus of my contemplated Magazine. I believe you know that my connection with the Southern Messenger was merely that of editor. I had no proprietary in it and my movements were therefore much impeded. The situation was disagreeable to me in every respect. The drudgery was excessive, the salary was contemptible. In fact, I soon found that whatever reputation I might personally gain, this reputation would be all. I stood no chance of bettering my pecuniary condition, while my best energies were wasted in the service of an illiterate and vulgar, although well-meaning man, who had neither the capacity to appreciate my labors nor the will to reward them. For this reason I left him and entered first into an engagement with the New York Review and afterwards with the Gentleman’s Magazine, writing occasionally for [both] journals; my object being merely to keep my head above water as regards money until a good opportunity [should arrive] of establishing a Magazine of my own in which I should be able to carry out my plans to full completion and at the same time have the satisfaction of feeling that my exertions were to my own advantage. I believe that the plans I here speak of and some of them you will find detailed in the Prospectus, are well devised and digested, and will meet with the hearty support of the most desirable and intelligent portion of the community, should I be able to bring them fairly before the public I feel assured that my fortune is made. The ambition which actuates me I know to be no ordinary or unworthy sentiment and knowing this, I take pride in earnestly soliciting your support, and that of your brothers 319and friends. If I fully succeed in my purpose I shall not fail to produce some lasting effect upon the growing literature of this country, while I establish for myself individually a name which that country ‘will not willingly let die.’...

It is upon the South that I chiefly rely for aid in the undertaking, and I have every hope that it will not fail me in my need. Yet the difficulties which I have to overcome are great, and I acknowledge to you that my prospects depend very much upon getting together a subscription list previously to the first of December. If by this day I can obtain 500 names, the work cannot fail to proceed, and I have no fears for the result. The friendship you have always evinced, the near relationship which exists between us, and the kind offer in your last letter, all warrant me in hoping that you will exert your whole influence for me in Augusta. Will you oblige me by acting as my agent for the Penn Magazine in your city, this letter being your authority? If I am not mistaken, you already act in that capacity for the Messenger.

I will write a few lines also by this mail to your brother Robert, with a Prospectus, as you suggest—and also to Washington [Poe] at Macon.

Mrs. Clemm, my aunt, is still living with me, but for the last six weeks has been on a visit to a friend in the State of N. Jersey. She is quite well, having entirely recovered her health. Respecting the letter from Mr. Bayard I am quite at a loss to understand it. It is however possible that the letter was written by Mr. B. at a period when we were all in much difficulty in New York and that Mrs. C(lemm) concealed the circumstance from me through delicacy.

Yours truly,

E. A. P.

320

AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN

[Relating to a soldier who had deserted. An interesting memento of the traditional kind-heartedness of the great President, even in such a serious matter as the desertion of a soldier in time of war, the almost invariable penalty for which is death. This letter sold for a high price in New York lately.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION

Washington, July 25, 1864.

Thomas Connor, a private in the 1st. Veteran New York Cavalry, is now imprisoned at hard labor for desertion. If the Colonel of said Regiment will say in writing on this sheet, that he is willing to receive him back to the Regiment, I will pardon, and send him.

A. Lincoln.

LETTER OF WASHINGTON

[Ordering the execution of a soldier. In marked contrast to Mr. Lincoln’s. It is addressed to Col. Tucker at Albany.]

Headquarters, 20th May, 1782.

Sir:

I have rec’d your Letter of the 11th instant and another without date the former inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held for the Trial of Shem Kentfield,—

Inclosed you have copy of the General Order approving the proceedings and a Warrant for the Execution of the Prisoner—the place of Execution is left to you.

The necessity of the Contractors furnishing Lard Bread when required has been represented to Mr. Morris^[48] who will doubtless take measures accordingly.

I am Sir Your very humble Servant

G. Washington.

321

LETTER OF COLONEL BARNARD BEEKMAN, S. C. ARTILLERY (STATE TROOPS.)

[He was taken prisoner at the capture of Charleston in 1780. Zubley’s Ferry was across the Savannah River to the Georgia shore. As General Moultrie was then the senior officer in South Carolina this letter was probably meant for him.]

Camp at Sheldon (S. C.)

23d October, 1779.

Dr. General

I arrived at this Post on the ev’ning of yesterday; with the Army & Stores.—I left Capt. Hale of the 2d with a command of Fifty men at Zubly’s, to cover the removal of the Corn Meal, &c., under the Direction of Col Wylley D. Q. M. General. I am sorry to observe that that Gentleman overtook the Army at Alleston’s on the march, where he inform’d me that he could not obtain the Ox teams & carts, and doubted of means to bring the Corn Meal on.—I have sent off Capt. Spencer (of the Q’r master’s Department) with orders to collect what carriages [carts] he can on his way to Zubly’s ferry and Directed him to bring off the Corn Meal if possible so far as Mr. Heyward’s plantation, from whence it may after be brought to camp. I have posted a strong Picquet at Port Royal ferry & such other Guards as our safety required & number would afford. The large Boats at Zubly’s ferry are sunk in a deep lagoon on the So Car’o. side a little higher up the River—have decided that the Boat which brought the Corn meal be sunk in like manner.

The prisoners are this hour brought by an officer of Col. Garden’s, taken at Hilton head & General Bull’s Island; the officer reports that the Enemy have removed the Sick from a board the Vessells to the last mentioned place, that they^[49] * * * * * * (Pendarvisses)—that on the night of the 21st five white men and four negros landed upon the main, about 3 miles above Colo Garden’s command of Militia (and) took off 5 Hogs & some cows.

I have now to renew my request for your leave of absence from Camp, I could add many reasons to those before offer’d; as the necessity for the good of the Service, I hope it will suffice when I assure you it is not to withdraw myself from Duty. Your compliance will oblige

Sir, Your most obedient

B. Beekman.

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