Newberry Library - Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

Jefferson Columbus Davis papers, 1867-1878

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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 6Their ports will also be open to foreign commerce, subject only to revenue laws which apply equally and uniformly to all parts of our common country. Mail and telegraph communications will very soon be established between Sitka and San Francisco, and thence with all parts of America, Europe and Asia. With these facilities for trade and commerce with other parts of the world, this new territory must soon become, what nature intended it to be, and what it has frequently been called, "The New England of the Pacific."16. It may be proper to remark, in this place, that it is a well established principle of international law that a change of sovereignty involves no change in the rights of private property, whether of individuals or of municipal corporations, and that the existing laws of any territory acquired by the United States by conquest or cession which do not conflict with the constitution and fundamental principles of our government, remain in force till suspended, altered, amended, or repealed by proper authority. All citizens of the ceded territory are, therefore, entitled to all the civil rights and liberties which they enjoyed under their former government, and also all the rights and privileges guarantied by the constitution and general laws of the United States. And to these will also be added, in due time, the political rights which belong to citizens in the Territories of the United States. It is important that you make yourself familiar with these principles of international, constitutional and municipal law, so as not only to avoid errors yourself, but to be able to advise and warn others about to emigrate to and settle in that country.17. In regard to the aboriginal and uncivilized tribes of your District, you will, in the absence of any organized civil Territorial Government, and so far as our laws authorize or permit, act as their general superintendent, protecting

Transcription Status Needs review

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

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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 2149px × 2736px 16.86 MB

Filename 991296448805867_Ayer_MS_3057_FL007_00008.tif

Unique Identifier NL11E63V

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