Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Fitting the garrison; "The present situation of affairs renders it highly necessary…to put your Garrison in the best posible state of defense…" Mentions outfitting carriages, rammers, and cannon. "And as your own reputation and that of the Regiment depends on your efforts, I feel partcularly satisfied that with the means you posess, that nothing will be wanting on your part to be prepared whenever the crisis of defending the American Flagg shall arrive."

In English. U.S. State Department Commercial Agent John Mountain affirms testimony of non-payment on receipt by Cuban coffee-broker Buenaventura Sire. Embargo on the ship Governor Griswold.

Illinois climate suits him well, but his wife and others have been sickly, mainly with bilious fever. Recent "stagnation of trade" has made land difficult to sell and undervalued. Notes others who are determined to return to the East. "... I still think it is the Country to make money and one of the finest forming countries in the World but the person that comes here and expects to find all the luxuries and refinements of life geets mistaken." Discusses Peoria's future prospects as a city, living with another family, and his farm.

Social activities and news of acquaintances. Young ladies' attraction to physicians. Comments on an acquaintance who gave birth after four months of marriage. Georgia man's attempt to court an actress.

Mild illness in the military camps. Remarks on General [Antonio López de] Santa Anna (1794?-1876), the Mexican Army, and his faith that the Americans will hold Monterey. Believes [Pedro de] Ampudia (1803-1868) may be imprisoned, "as it is known to be a positive fact and constant practice amongst the Mexicans to incarcarate their defeated Generals." Comments on General Santa Anna and his political and military position. Assures his mother that her worries about his "want of the common necessaries of life" are unfounded. Remarks on Spanish dry goods stores and the Mexican man who cooks for them and his desire to settle in Atlanta. Misses the company of women, noting difficulties interacting with local ladies. "…the Girls here are very shy and the ladies man is put to considerable trouble even to get a glimpse of his fair one, He must get up Sunday morning at four Oclock, station himself in a corner of the Cathedrel and await the coming of his ladie love for the purpose of attending Mass." Notes the rich women's beauty and his concerns over priests' influence. Discusses laboring women, their work in markets, and their race. "… though you would at first glance pronounce them mulatoes, upon close examination you would decide upon the Indian." Mentions [La]fayette McLaws (1821-1897) and [James] Longstreet (1821-1904).

Quarterly report informing the society of his ill wife's condition, their departure from Canton, Illinois, to recover near family, his hope that she will work alongside him soon, and the religious feeling in Illinois. Discouraged by the state of the youth in Holland, New York. Requesting $44 of his salary be forwarded to the merchants who advanced him money.

Have been appointed as Commissioners of Lunacy and are acting on a law passed by the legislature seeking to gain details about the number and conditions of "Lunatics and Idiots within this Commonwealth." Are sending a blank schedule for Stribling to fill out [note present], indicating name, sex, color, age, country of birth, if born of foreign parentage in the United States, marital status, condition (definition given), suitability for institutionalization, time since previous "attack," how many attacks, curability, hospitalization history, residential status, private or public financial support, and "Lunatic, Lunatic demented, or idiot. In this instance 'idiot' refers only to those who were deficient in intellect from birth or childhood. Those, who once had ordinary intellect and lost it afterward through insanity or otherwise, are considered as lunatics demented." With appended manuscript note by Jarvis.