I Remain - Digital Archive

Bancroft, George, 1800-1891.
[Letter] Berlin [to] Mr. Wines / George Bancroft.
Bancroft writes to Mr. Wines to introduce his friend Professor Marquardsen, "one of the most distinguished men of Germany," and a member of the German Parliament; Bancroft asks that he be introduced to American delegates. American historian and politician George Bancroft enjoyed a career marked with literary, military, and diplomatic accomplishments. He wrote a multi-volume History of the United States (1834-40), served as Secretary of the Navy, established the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and served as minister to Great Britain (1846-49) and Germany (1867-74).
Brodhead, Daniel.
[Letter] 1782 April 30, Lancaster [to] Stone / Dan Brodhead.
Brodhead declares that though he has nothing of importance to communicate, he could not resist dropping Stone a line as a bearer is bound for Philadelphia and will stop by their office. He mentions Mrs. Read who "gave me a Roasting" for having no news to tell her of Philadelphia; Miss Grace Riche, "a lovely girl," has "made conquests here" and remembered Brodhead. He reviews the other "fine girls" he has met or had tea with. In company with Colonel North and Captain White he journeys to "York-Town," mentioning the stream that runs through Little York which "has been often sung by youthful loving Bards." After riding 53 miles today, Brodhead states that he is fatigued, but will be with Stone soon, and sends his greetings to the office.
Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925.
[Letter] 1912 April 2, Lincoln, Nebraska, [to] Roddick W. Martin, Toronto, Ontario / W.J. Bryan.
Bryan states that he was impressed with Toronto's "pleasant prosperity and its bright prospects" on his visits there. Bryan, a writer and a lecturer himself, served as a Representative from Nebraska (1891-95) and a colonel in the Spanish-American War; after unsuccessful runs for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908 he served as Wilson's Secretary of State (1913-15) and also established the Nebraska newspaper The Commoner (1901).
Christian, Fred M.
[Letter] 1935 October 17, Pitcairn Island, [to] Henry C. Hoffman / Fred M. Christian.
Christian writes from Pitcairn island to thank Hoffman for sending the $2, and to request that he sell more of the painted, pressed leaves which he encloses along with two baskets his wife made for Hoffman. Christian goes on to answer Hoffman's questions about the size, dominion, population (210), language (English and Tahitian), schooling, climate, and grave customs on Pitcairn Island. He remarks that only one grave of the Bounty mutineers was ever marked, that being John Adams, for whom the British government sent over a tombstone. Christian also observes that they currently have nine visitors "none of them want to leave," and tells Hoffman about their housing, livestock, religion, and crops. Pitcairn Island was originally settled by mutineers of the HMS Bounty led by Fletcher Christian (played in the movie versions by Clark Gable and Errol Flynn); they revolted in April 1784 against the alleged cruelties of Captain William Bligh, intermarried with Tahitian women, and then settled with their families on Pitcairn. John Adams was the only one of the original mutineers left alive in 1808 when an American ship Topaz investigated the island. He was not able to convincingly relate the fates of the other mutineers, but the author of this letter, Fred Christian, is probably an original descendant of Fletcher.
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852.
[Passport] 1826 May 26, Washington [for] James Fenimore Cooper and family / H[enry]. Clay.
The passport is written for Cooper and family at the time he served as a Consul at Lyons, France. Henry Clay, the Secretary of State who authorized the passport, served as John Quincy Adam's Secretary of State (1825-29), after which time he served in the Senate; prior to becoming Secretary of State he had served in the House of Representatives where he was several times Speaker of the House. Cooper, the 11th of 12 children born to the man who founded Cooperstown and built Ostego Hall, is remembered for his books of sailing and wilderness adventure, including the Leatherstocking Series featuring Natty Bumppo, the most well-known of which is Last of the Mohicans (1826). In addition to enjoying the life of a country gentleman in New York, Cooper also traveled and wrote extensively in Europe.