Newberry Library - Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

Overview

Image w/ Text

Loading details...

You do not have the permission to view Original image

Open book Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

Title Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

Creator Davis, Jefferson Columbus, 1828-1879

Date 1867-1878

Place Alaska, Mississippi River, Mexico--Mexico City, Louisiana--New Orleans

Language English

Subjects United States, Indians of North America, Steamboats

Summary Original journals, correspondence, photographs, engravings, newsclippings, together with some typed copies, documenting Davis' tenure as military governor of Alaska, 1867-1870, and his and his wife's tour of Mexico in 1878. Alaskan materials include: 1867 orders and instructions issued by Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, Sec. of State William H. Seward, and Asst. Adj. Gen. E.D. Townsend; correspondence and a journal written by Davis and his wife, describing the Russian cession ceremony, Sitka, daily life, and trips to tribal settlements, 1867-1870; an 1872 explanation of Davis' treaty-mandated takeover of Russian Fur Company property; correspondence from Robert N. Scott, a senior aide of Halleck's in San Francisco, commenting on military appointments, congressional funding, presidential impeachment proceedings, and Davis' handling of an 1869 incident involving a Chilkat chief; a copy of the first issue of the Sitka times (issued in ms., Sept. 19, 1868); and photographs (Metropolitan Veniaminov, Sir John Franklin, Prince Maksutov, etc.), engravings, and administrative correspondence. Mexican-related items include Mrs. Davis' 1878 diary containing detailed descriptions of an Ohio and Mississippi River steamboat passage, New Orleans, and Mexico City; and signed photographs of President and Mrs. Porfirio Diaz, whom the Davis' visited.

Biographical/Historical Note Career army officer.

Extent 0.4 linear feet (1 box)

Format Sources

User-Contributed Transcription time that he paid this amount in lawyer fees, for drawing up quit claim deeds, warranty deeds, and deeds of trust &c to property which did not certainly belong to him, Prince Maksoutoff or the Russian fur Company; if it did not belong to the United States. The only possible disputants to the ownership of this property with the United States Government, according to the treaty, could be only some "individual" citizen, who held the title in fee simple prior to the date of treaty; all others were extinguished by the terms of the treaty.Yet a petty foggying lawyer a "ring" or two of other persons besides could be so deceived in these matters, in "good faith too", as to purchase from Prince Maksoutoff a greater part of the valuable buildings in Alaska.I often wondered why these parties, desiring to purchase homesteads "in good faith" in Alaska. did not at the time refer these questions of titles to the authorities at Washington? - they could have had my assistance in this matter.-This man's claim is, according to my judgement a fraudulent one ab initio(Signed) Jeff C DavisCol: 2 B Inf Supdt

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number VAULT Ayer MS 3057

BibID 991296448805867

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 2257px × 3257px 21.06 MB

Filename 991296448805867_Ayer_MS_3057_FL010_00005.tif

Unique Identifier NL11E653

Help Need help finding, searching, sharing, or downloading? Check out our help page!